Surprise party for vets retirement
Past and present employees from the Tutts Clump-based centre flocked to The Hinds Head, Aldermaston, on Saturday afternoon to surprise senior partner Neil Partridge with a party to begin his retirement.
Colleagues at the practice presented him with a painting as a retirement gift.
Mr Partridge began his veterinary career in Tutts Clump in 1971 and has been a partner since 1977.
He said: “I wouldn’t say I didn’t expect a thing, but it was a surprise. I enjoyed it very much.
“The team that we have has been very good – I have made a lot of very good friends.”
He added that plans for his retirement included a few months of rest and pursuing his hobbies of gardening and driving, as well as dedicating time to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Mortimer where he was a former chairman.
Practice manager Val Chamberlain, who helped organise the event, said: “The party was absolutely brilliant and enjoyed very much by all.
“I would like to wish him much happiness in his retirement.”
Taking Mr Partridge’s place is Steven Dawes, a former employee who temporarily left the company to travel.
