CELEBRATIONS 45 years in the same job

A DEDICATED hospital staff member who has had the same job for 45 years is retiring.

In an age when so-called “jobs for life” appear to be a thing of the past, Royston Cannan, 64, has bucked the trend and is the longest-serving member of staff at the Valleys hospital.

Royston has been working as part of the estates and maintenance team at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach, being responsible for general repairs in the hospital since the early ’70s.

After handing in his keys, he is looking forward to a well-deserved retirement.

During his unique length of service he has seen quite a few changes, including the building of a new hospital.

The grandfather said: “We are in a brand new hospital now and it involves a lot more management of the building than before but it is still a good job.

“I can still remember the registration number of the first Ford Transit van I was driving as part of the job. I can remember it like it was yesterday.”

He added: “I will miss the craic with the boys and have met a lot of people. You deal with the public a lot.

“Once retired, I will do odd jobs around the house and play more golf.

“I am also taking my family to Florida.”

Royston is husband to Claire, 62, father to Andrew, 31, and Gemma, 34, and grandfather Lloyd, seven.

It was Claire who wanted to raise awareness of Royston’s milestone.

His 45 years of service is actually longer than the couple’s marriage of 43 years.

She said: “I thought to Gemma’s son it would be awful the event was not marked in some way. He is the longest serving member of the hospital.”

Daughter Gemma has always associated the job with her dad.

Explaining how varied it was, she said: “It could be anything from changing lightbulbs to making sure the birthing pool is clean.

“My mum was telling me in the days we had really bad snow in the late ’80s he still walked into work and we watched him go. Snow would not stop him going!”

She added: “He is going to celebrate his retirement by taking his wife, two kids and grandson to Florida in August.”