‘Sainsbury’s job is keeping me going at 90 years of age’

Workers celebrate great-grandad’s birthday

A great-grandad says he has “no plans to stop” as he celebrated his 90th birthday by working at his local supermarket.

Eddie Swan began working at Sainsbury’s Bybrook 25 years ago - at the age most people retire.

Mr Swan has lived in Ashford his entire life, and has a colourful selection of memories from his time in the town.

He said: “I was born in New Street, and then moved to Barrow Hill Cottages.

“We had to move because, in 1943, a German plane was shot down after bombing the Hayward’s garage which is roughly where Lidl is now; the engine went straight through our house!

“Thankfully, myself and my sister were both at school and my mum was down at the market at the time, it was really fortuitous.”

The great-grandad-of-one, who worked at the Headley Brothers printing firm before he started at Sainsbury’s, now lives in Gorse Mead, South Ashford, with his partner of 30 years.

He regularly drives to the Warren Retail Park store, which has changed a huge amount since he first started working there.

He explained: “I started working at the store when they first opened it, and I’ve seen it extended twice at least since then.

“When I first started I was a greeter, someone who gave people their carts or baskets. I didn’t want to work on the tills, so I collect the cardboard now.

“The job has changed a lot over the years but things aren’t much different for me now that we have coronavirus.

“The only real change for me is that everyone is wearing a mask!”

Mr Swan’s team presented him with a balloon, card and a badge to celebrate the special occasion.

He said: “I know it might sound silly but I reckon it’s one of the things keeping me alive, keeping on the go and getting things done.

“I’m working with a great bunch of people, and I get to meet loads of people on the job.

“I’ve got absolutely no plans to hang up my coat, as long as they want me and don’t think I’m too old I’ll keep going!”

Ian Howcroft, store manager at Sainsbury’s Bybrook, said: “We want to take this opportunity to show our appreciation for all Eddie’s hard work.

“We’re delighted to have him working at our store, he is adored by the customers.”

Eddie Swan, who previously worked at the Headley Brothers printing firm, joined Sainsbury’s 25 years ago