A SANDFORD man has celebrated 40 years working on a farm in the parish.

David Friendship started work as a tractor driver on Monday, October 22, 1969, at Dowrich Farm, Sandford for Michael Lee and family .

Dave's first pay packet was £10, 11 shillings and two pence.

After tractor driving, David began milking cows and over the years has taken charge of this role. He has been assisted by various helpers, the latest being Andrew Dyer who started this summer.

There were two dairy herds and two abreast parlours, one at Dowrich and one at Yelland Farm.

These were amalgamated in 1974, when a new 20:20 parlour was built at Dowrich.

David has seen many changes over the 40 years.

One notable one was when he saw a large pig fattening house being built, only to see it knocked down in 2007 to make way for a new complete dairy unit with a fully computerised 28:28 herringbone parlour.

David's service was recognised by an evening of celebration at the Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum.

Bouquets of flowers were presented to Doris Friendship, David's wife and Margaret Yelland who has also worked at Dowrich for more than 40 years and originally started working for the late Mary Lee.

Michael Lee and family are extremely grateful to David and Margaret for their loyal service to three generations of the Lee family and hope they will continue to work for them for many years to come.