More than 80 years continuous service came to an end when two employees left Great Yarmouth Borough Council on Friday (March 30).

Head of Financial Services Bill Flatman and Research and Information Officer Roy Northcott joined the council in the 1960s as supernumerary clerical assistants.

Bill came to the local authority straight from school in 1962. Through the supernumerary scheme he was given the opportunity to work in different departments for three months, before choosing which he wanted to make a career in.

A spell in the health department led to a transfer to the Borough Treasurer’s office where he stayed until his retirement.

During his 45 years with the Council he gained a qualification as an accountant when in his words he was “Sent to Coventry to study”.

His recollections include time working in the punched card machine room, the predecessor of the computer department.

For Roy, who joined in 1966 after leaving college, a short spell in borough engineers was followed by several years in planning.

His job and the locations it has been carried out in have been varied and included a stint above a pub when the planning department outgrew its offices. He was also the office computer expert at one time as he had a Spectrum ZX81 at home.

Since the formation of the economic development unit in 1989 Roy has been involved in projects as diverse as gaining European funding for the Borough and being the Council’s representative on the Broads and Rivers LEADER+ Local Area Group.

In retirement both men are facing a spell of catching up with DIY jobs. Bill is also hoping to have more time to devote to his collections of stamps and coins. While Roy is contemplating becoming a volunteer on a heritage railway.

Roy and Bill received many gifts from colleagues and had their retirement toasted by the Mayor Sue Robinson.