43 years at HIC
Stewart Storey
28 August 2007
One of Harrogate International Centre's staff members, Stewart
Storey, celebrated his retirement last week after dedicating 43
years of service to the venue and previously in his roles at
Harrogate Borough Council. Congratulating Stewart; staff at HIC
wished him a fond farewell with cream cakes and champagne. At
Stewart's own insistence there was no retirement gift from the
staff, instead donations will go to St Michael's Hospice in
Harrogate.
Stewart commenced work as an apprentice plumber in 1964 with
Knaresborough Urban District Council before joining Harrogate
International Centre in 1982; its opening year and the year
the venue hosted the Eurovision Song Contest. Stewart was in fact
the personal plumber to presenter Jan Leeming!
In his time with HIC Stewart has seen many famous performers
including David Essex, Freddie Starr, and Miranda Richardson during
the filming of BBC 2's Die Kinder in 1990. He also met one of his
favourite stars, Lesley Garrett, when she brought her entire family
to see her performance at the Royal Hall.
HIC Director Stuart Quin said, "I would like to thank Stewart
for his many years of outstanding contribution. Our venue operates
successfully as a result of our efficient and effective staff and
Stewart has been a strong and integral part of the events team. We
wish him all the very best in the future and hope he has a long,
and happy retirement".
Event organiser Maggie Punyer of Ocean Media Group Ltd, who
has managed the Chartered Institute of Housing conference and
exhibition in Harrogate over the last 20 years, said, "Sadly it's
all to rare to work with people today who have dedicated their
lives to the same organisation. Some would say it's never a good
thing but I would say in the right person it brings out a real
organisational and client understanding and certainly Stewart was
one of those people. There's only one description for him a truly
lovely man. He'll be greatly missed around the halls by
organisers and contractors alike."
During his retirement Stewart intends to spend more time on
his passion for trains and travel, both in Europe and the UK. His
love of 60's music and collecting pirate radio station memorabilia
will also take him to new places where he will no doubt also
indulge his talent as a roving ambassador for Harrogate and the
Yorkshire Dales. Stewart said, "Working at HIC developed my
confidence and my ability to talk to people. I love the Harrogate
District and somehow I always manage to bring it into conversation
wherever I go".
