A DEDICATED mechanic is celebrating 50 years of working at the same Bournemouth garage – having only taken one week off sick during that time.

Mike Howells has become part of the furniture at St Christopher’s garage in Christchurch Road since joining when he was just 15 in 1964.

The 65-year-old, who still cycles into work from his home in Winton every day, has been reminiscing about his five decades at the business as he prepares to retire.

“I had always been fascinated by mechanical things, tinkering about with them and getting them to work again,” he said.

“I came here on my 15th birthday even though I was supposed to stay at school until the autumn term – I just wanted to start working.

“I began by doing evenings and weekends on the petrol pumps and by April the year after I was allowed to work in the workshop.”

Mike was offered a five-year apprenticeship and he has remained through four changes of owner.

He recalls battling with a tyre on his first day as he tried to mend a puncture and making ends meet by taking on a second job as a removal man with RH Pardy in Christchurch.

Mike said he looks back fondly on all his memories, but does lament taking a week off in 1976 when he contracted the flu, which he blames on his moving into a particularly cold house.

“It will be the camaraderie I miss the most,” he added.

Bosses Tim Woods and John Saunders lavished praise on Mike, describing him as a “joy to have around”.

Tim added: “He has as much enthusiasm now as he had when he was 15. He is always the first one to start and last to finish – he is a model employee. We will miss his humour and honesty.”

1964 v 2014

1964

  • Petrol cost five shillings per gallon (60 old pence )
  • An MOT cost 10 shillings and sixpence  
  • A service cost three shillings an hour and could take up to eight hours to complete  
  • Top selling car was the Austin/Morris 1100/1300

2014

  • The average gallon of petrol today costs £5.84
  • An MOT will now set you back £49 and a service is around £150
  • The Ford Fiesta is the bestselling car so far