A Farewell Dinner was held last Monday winding up Aycliffe Occupational Health Service Ltd. A Newton Aycliffe business founded in 1980 and born out of an initiative by the former Aycliffe Development Corporation Estates Department.
Current directors hosted the dinner bringing together past employees and directors to celebrate 32 years service to Newton Aycliffe and N E regional businesses.
John Billany, of the Linden Group of companies and acting Chairman of AOHS Ltd. said it had been a privilege to have been associated with the service which had survived well beyond the life which many a “doubting Thomas” had predicted it would, way back in 1980. Unfortunately pressure from HSE and basic commercial reality had brought the Directors to the conclusion it was time to wind up the Service, whilst creditors could be paid and remaining staff given their redundancy entitlements.
He thanked Ian Wiggett, Honorary Company Secretary for the last 32 years, Terry Farley for his 32 years of accounting stewardship and Anne Molyneux, office manager and administrator for the last 9 years.
In accordance with the Company’s charity status cash balances have been distributed to various local charities and in particular representatives of the Great North Air Ambulance and the Macmillan Nurses were at the dinner to receive cheques of £1000 each.
The Linden Group has taken over the lease of the premises and John Billany said, “it would provide much needed office and training room space which he hoped would result in creating extra jobs”.
Kevin Richardson of Macmillan Nurses and Lynne Simmons of the Great North Air Ambulance said the donations were, “a pleasant surprise”.
Photo: Kevin Richardson of the Macmillan Nurses thanking the Directors for their donation
