A LONG-SERVING member of staff has said farewell to his colleagues after 50 years with the same company.

Malcolm Quinn, 66, joined Henderson Grass Machinery as a teenager and clocked out for the last time on March 24 after half a century with the Haddington business.

Colleagues came together to wish Malcolm, who lives in the town, well in his retirement.

He told the Courier: “It’s a wee bit strange having retired but you just have to get used to it, I suppose.

“I have things planned and will be dealing with them.

“I have been doing a bit of running and walking.

“I have been out in the garden in the decent weather twice this week and there are things in the house that have been needing done for two or three years.”

Staff came together on Malcolm’s last day to present their outgoing colleague with a tablet and printer.

Malcolm, who worked as a parts assistant, also received a bottle of gin and a knife from the Kubota Tractor Corporation, as well as a model Massey Ferguson tractor.

East Lothian Courier: Malcolm Quinn has bid farewell to Henderson Grass Machinery after 50 years' working there

He told the Courier that his role had involved ordering parts for agricultural and horticultural machines and “doing bits and pieces” in the stores.

Now, the keen runner, who has completed more than 50 marathons across the British Isles, in addition to more than 200 half marathons, is looking forward to using his new-found spare time.

The Haddington Running Club member said his marathon days were likely “finished” but, on Sunday, he was among those lining up at Ocean Terminal for the 13.1km Kilomathon race.

Runners made their way from the Leith shopping centre to the home of Scottish rugby, BT Murrayfield Stadium.

Retirement will also free up his Saturdays to not only cheer on Haddington Athletic at home, where he is a season ticket holder, but also to possibly watch the Hi Hi on their travels.

Paul McArthur, parts manager at Henderson Grass Machinery, wished Malcolm well.

He said: “His level of knowledge was absolutely incredible – older agricultural machinery and implements it was second to none.

“He will be very, very sadly missed but he deserves his retirement.

“I have been his manager for 21 years and he was a total joy to have in the parts area.

“He never missed a day with illness and is just a genuinely decent human being and very hard working.”