North-east farmers’ co-operative ANM Group yesterday recognised the long-standing service of four members of staff.
Two long-service awards and two retirement presentations were conducted at the co-op’s directors’ Christmas lunch, which was staged at the Porterhouse Restaurant in the group’s headquarters at the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie.
The group’s executive director, John Gregor, presented the awards and said it was an honour to recognise the long service of colleagues.
First up, Mr Gregor recognised Thainstone-based direct marketing manager Alister Milne for 40 years’ service.
Mr Milne started his career at the Huntly office working as a clerk to the auctioneers, before becoming an auctioneer, initially at Laurencekirk and then Insch. He then moved on to managing the electronic auctioning of deadweight prime cattle and, following the BSE outbreak in 1996, he has been managing the mart’s cattle direct marketing service and conducting weekly electronic sales of fodder. He will now take over the management of the mart’s livestock finance scheme.
Next up, Mr Gregor presented Davy Foubister with an award for 30 years’ service.
Mr Foubister started at Maud Mart and following its closure moved to Thainstone where he works as a part-time yardsman on Thursdays and Fridays. He also lends a hand at other events including Saturday machinery sales and the Taste of Grampian food and drink festival.
Mr Gregor then marked the retirement of two members of staff – Duncan Cooper after 48 years’ service and Michael Delday after 44 years at ANM.
First up, Mr Gregor paid tribute to “Turra loon” Duncan Cooper who works at the main office at Thainstone.
Starting at Turriff Mart in July 1968, Mr Cooper moved to Kittybrewster in 1971 and in 1985 he was promoted to the role of office manager. He then moved to do the same role at Thainstone and in 1996 took over the management of the direct marketing and electronic auction office with specific responsibility for the running of ANM’s livestock finance scheme.
Lastly, Mr Gregor paid tribute to Orkney and Shetland canvasser Michael Delday.
Mr Delday started with ANM in 1972 at the Belmont Mart in Aberdeen, assisting at a sale of 892 fat cattle on his first day.
Starting as an office boy he moved on to clerking for auctioneers and spent time at branch marts in Ellon and Maud. In 1982 he started travelling to Orkney and Shetland to canvas stock and in 1995 he relocated to Orkney making the islands his home.
