ONE of the founding members of a family firm brought 60 years of working to an end by retiring on his 74th birthday.

tractor mower and brothers, David, left, and Neil.

Cedric Hardwick, of Hardwick Landscape Centre, in Wolverley, was presented with a sit-on tractor mower by his former colleagues, including his brothers, Neil and David, who will maintain a link dating back to 1959.

In that year, Cedric and David, 62, and their other brother, the late Trevor, together with their father, Cyril George, set up the business, originally known as C G Hardwick and Sons and based at that time in the village's Sladd Lane.

Neil, 57, joined later and the business moved to its current base, in Wolverley Road, in 1972.

Last Friday was Cedric's last day, which gave him time to reflect on changes the business had gone through, from its early days of carrying out garden maintenance to its present activity of supplying landscaping materials.

The brothers explained that social trends such as people having more disposable income to spend on things like home improvements and the popularisation of garden makeovers prompted by television shows, including Ground Force, had led to the change of business direction.

"There wasn't landscaping in the early days," said Cedric, who added that garden improvements did not mean much more than laying lawns at that time. "We diversified over the years," he added.

Among items the firm now supplies to trade and retail customers are paving materials, garden furnishings and a variety of aggregates.

Hardwicks delivers mostly within the West Midlands area although it has transported large quantities of materials to as far away as London and Wales.

The combined retirement and birthday present tractor mower was a timely gift, as Cedric's old mower was also ready for retirement, after 16 years of use. "It was a surprise," he said of the vehicle, "I was expecting a watch."

He enjoyed his career, saying: "I loved every moment of it. It becomes a habit after that long."

He did not intend to lose touch with his former work colleagues, promising: "I shall be popping in."