Arun's oldest employee is honoured

Clive Layton, 80, from Norfolk Gardens, Littlehampton, was given a standing ovation at last Wednesday's full council meeting and presented with an engraved decanter and a bottle of whisky by the council's chairman Graham Tyler.

Working for Arun is something of a theme in the Layton household '” Clive has worked for Arun's parks and green spaces department for 29 years and his wife Lillian has worked there for 30 years and is currently a cleaner at the Civic Centre.

Also, his niece Maria Blows and his nephew Kevin Beecher work for the council too.

In fact, between them the four family members have clocked up an incredible 80 years of service between them so far.

Clive, who started working for Arun in 1978, said: "I may be 80 years old but I certainly don't feel it. Saying I feel the same as I did when I was 21 would be stretching the truth a bit too far, but I certainly feel a lot younger than I am.

"My job helps keep me in good health, and I'm quite active outside of work. I still enjoy helping my neighbours with occasional painting, decorating and gardening jobs that need doing, so I get lots of exercise.

"A lot of people are surprised when they hear that I'm still working at my age and at the same place, but I don't want to stop working. I enjoy my job and the company of the people I work with, and I hope to keep going for another 10 years or so."

As well as working for the council's greenspaces team, Clive has also worked for its grounds, car park and recycling maintenance departments.

He now works part-time cleaning car parks and dealing with the Civic Centre's internal recycling.

Graham Tyler said: "It really gives me great pleasure to have been able to recognise the diligent efforts made by this very special Arun employee.

"Clive has served Arun for 29 years and, in that time, has worked in our Harwood Road depot as well as the building management department.

He used to keep our golf courses and tennis courts neat and tidy as he whizzed around on his ride-on mower.

"It was an honour for me to be able to help celebrate Clive's 80th by making the presentation at our full council meeting.

"His efforts over the years have been very much appreciated. He says he wants to do another 10 years before he retires and I think he probably will."