TECHNICIAN Graham Smith has become the 100th person to receive a long service award for 25 years at commercial vehicle distributors Crossroads Truck & Bus and Hartshorne Group.
Graham, who lives at Low Moor in Bradford, was presented with his award by cricket hero Matthew Hoggard MBE at a prestigious event at Trent Bridge cricket ground in Nottingham.
The ceremony was particularly poignant for Graham because he has followed the career of Hoggard on the pages of the Telegraph & Argus ever since the Ashes winner was a young player in Bradford.
Graham, an HGV technician for Crossroads Truck & Bus in Birstall, said: "When I joined Crossroads in 1994, I said I would try it for six months. I'm pleased to say that 25 years later I'm still here and loving every minute. It's the friendships with the lads who I work with and also with our customers that make it special.
"I'm a big Bradford Bulls fan so I wore my rugby shirt with pride at the awards event. I also keep an eye on cricket and I've followed Matthew Hoggard ever since he was a lad, so it was wonderful to meet him."
Over 60 people attended the milestone celebration, all of who had completed 25 years or more service with either Crossroads Truck & Bus or the Hartshorne Group. Every guest at the event signed their name on a timeline wall that traced the history of when the companies were founded back in 1968 (Hartshorne Group) and 1956 (Crossroads Truck & Bus).
Hartshorne Group and Crossroads Truck & Bus Managing Director Martin Cronin co-presented the awards with Matthew Hoggard. Mr Cronin told Graham and his colleagues: "It's down to your passion, care, friendship and perseverance that we have a fantastic business of which we can all be proud."
Graham, 67, is married to wife Janet and has three children, and two grandchildren.
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Notes for Editors :
Photo 1 shows Graham Smith (centre) receiving the company’s 100th 25 year service award, Matthew Hoggard MBE (Former England cricketer - left) and Martin Cronin (Managing Director – right).
For more information, please contact :
Jennifer Stephenson
Hartshorne Motor Services Ltd and Crossroads Truck & Bus Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1924 425000
E-mail: Jennifer.Stephenson@crossroads.co.uk