A little bird aka Gerry Swan (not a pun!), whilst out on his daily walk, has been passing Mike Brown as he tends the woodlands in Bushy Park each day.

Mike has just completed 50 years working as man and boy for the Royal Parks since leaving school.  His employers had a socially-distanced celebratory occasion which involved two practical gifts as well as cake.  (That’s practical too!)

50 years is a long time.  Not only will he have seen and been involved in many changes in the way the parks are used by all but some of those trees would have been saplings when he joined and now they’re humongous!

Is he thinking of retiring?  Not a chance!  Well done, Mike, that is really great news and worth a golden celebration!