Ray Fisher signs off from his job at Arkell's Brewery in the traditional manner
A POPULAR and longstanding employee of Arkell's Brewery has finally called time.
Friends, colleagues and family of Ray Fisher gathered to toast his the end of his long spell as finance director at the brewery.
The 62-year-old councillor for St Margaret ward, and former mayor, joined the firm in 1974.
And on Friday the brewery, his second family according to wife Christine, threw a party for him in its cellar bar.
Managing director James Arkell paid tribute to Ray's hard work, in a speech delivered from, appropriately enough, behind a bar.
His speech began with the ringing of a bell.
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He said: "It's very appropriate that I should ring a bell - time gentlemen, please - as today it is time for Ray, after 34 years of service to Arkells.
"Ray came to work at Arkells in 1974, first as accountant then as company secretary, although it was such a long time ago none of us can really remember.
"What is important, however, is that he was the first non-Arkell family member to become a full member of the board because we thought so much of him - and still do.
"The brewery really won't be the same without him."
Ray said he was sad to be leaving but with his work as a councillor, and his charity commitments, he would still be keeping busy. He said: "It's been an absolutely great career and wonderful fun.
"It is simply one of the best jobs to have as an accountant - because, of course, I've had to regularly sample the product.
"Whilst 34 years seems a very long time, it's certainly not unusual at Arkell's, where if you're lucky enough to work here you do tend to stay. And I'm certainly not the longest-serving member of staff."
Ray moved to Swindon from London in 1968 to work at Roussel Laboratories before moving to Arkell's six years later.
Retiring a few years early, Ray has cited the huge increase in Government red tape as contributing to his decision.
He said: "It's got absolutely ridiculous recently - many of these rules and regulations take so long to comply with and in the grand scheme of things mean absolutely nothing at all.
"It's very difficult for every business, large and small; it's so time-consuming and does nothing to contribute to the success of the company."
Barry Russell is the man who will be replacing Ray. He said: "I know I've got some big shoes to fill - Ray was obviously a very popular and effective finance director."
"He said: "It's got absolutely ridiculous recently - many of these rules and regulations take so long to comply with and in the grand scheme of things mean absolutely nothing at all."
No doubt we will get a reasoned response from either the "Minister for Britishness" or B'Anne'd Wagon Snelgrove!
"He said: "It's got absolutely ridiculous recently - many of these rules and regulations take so long to comply with and in the grand scheme of things mean absolutely nothing at all."
No doubt we will get a reasoned response from either the "Minister for Britishness" or B'Anne'd Wagon Snelgrove!
[quote][bold]Robert Feal-Martinez[/bold] wrote:
Ray was the perfect gent. I'm sure he will be missed at Arkells. [/quote] ditto that.
Also a great Mayor recently.
Robert Feal-Martinez wrote:
Ray was the perfect gent. I'm sure he will be missed at Arkells.
Posted by: Donkey, Swindon on 9:41am Mon 12 May 08
How sad that a Conservative Councillor cannot retire, early, from his job without accusing his early release as being allied to political implications. Just a cheap little dig, I fancy?
Why should, so-called, 'red tape' be cited as a reason to take early retirement? I know many reasons why a person retires early, and pressure of work is only one of those reasons.
Can we not, at least, have one single article in the paper without this constant dig from desperately anti-Labour correspondents showing how disrespectful they can be on any occasion that arises?
Business accounting is, and always has been, complicated and often the systems grow with the needs of the day. These professions are very well paid and if anyone could do the job, they would not be so, one imagines?
Okay, Mr Fisher would rather there be a Tory Government, and then, of course, he would have to work three more years, perhaps?
Enjoy your early retirement, Mr Fisher, I'm sure you are a nice chap.
How sad that a Conservative Councillor cannot retire, early, from his job without accusing his early release as being allied to political implications. Just a cheap little dig, I fancy?
Why should, so-called, 'red tape' be cited as a reason to take early retirement? I know many reasons why a person retires early, and pressure of work is only one of those reasons.
Can we not, at least, have one single article in the paper without this constant dig from desperately anti-Labour correspondents showing how disrespectful they can be on any occasion that arises?
Business accounting is, and always has been, complicated and often the systems grow with the needs of the day. These professions are very well paid and if anyone could do the job, they would not be so, one imagines?
Okay, Mr Fisher would rather there be a Tory Government, and then, of course, he would have to work three more years, perhaps?
Enjoy your early retirement, Mr Fisher, I'm sure you are a nice chap.
Posted by: doug@homefarm, SN1 on 9:47am Mon 12 May 08
Can we not, at least, have one single article in the paper without this constant dig from desperately anti-Labour correspondents showing how disrespectful they can be on any occasion that arises?
Er, No Donkey. Good post but i'm sure you'll pay for it!
Can we not, at least, have one single article in the paper without this constant dig from desperately anti-Labour correspondents showing how disrespectful they can be on any occasion that arises?
Er, No Donkey. Good post but i'm sure you'll pay for it!
Posted by: Donkey, Swindon on 9:53am Mon 12 May 08
Mornin' Doug!
In fact, as Ray will probably be singing today ...
"Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh, what a beautiful day,
Now I can do all I want to,
Arkells - a thing of my past"!
Paul ... Non-elected Poet Of The People!
Go on , Big Frontier(s) ... give it to us with both barrels!
Ooch! ... Ouch!!!
Mornin' Doug!
In fact, as Ray will probably be singing today ...
"Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh, what a beautiful day,
Now I can do all I want to,
Arkells - a thing of my past"!
Paul ... Non-elected Poet Of The People!
Go on , Big Frontier(s) ... give it to us with both barrels!
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 10:06am Mon 12 May 08
Ray is merely stating a fact that since NL came to power they have introduced thousands of pieces of legislation and regulation which is impacting for the worse on all our lives, and as an SME I like several million others spend upwards of 90% of my time doing unnecessary admin tasks for the Government. One which comes to mind because of perhaps the stupidity is having to tell HMG on pain of financial penalty how many job vacancies I have. That is just one example, there are many many more that just make business peoples lives a misery. So don't knock Ray for telling the truth, we know the truth hurts labour, and they certainly seem to be taking a pasting from their own side at the moment., Cherie, Lord L, and 2 Jags, just to mention 3.
Ray is merely stating a fact that since NL came to power they have introduced thousands of pieces of legislation and regulation which is impacting for the worse on all our lives, and as an SME I like several million others spend upwards of 90% of my time doing unnecessary admin tasks for the Government. One which comes to mind because of perhaps the stupidity is having to tell HMG on pain of financial penalty how many job vacancies I have. That is just one example, there are many many more that just make business peoples lives a misery. So don't knock Ray for telling the truth, we know the truth hurts labour, and they certainly seem to be taking a pasting from their own side at the moment., Cherie, Lord L, and 2 Jags, just to mention 3.
Posted by: Donkey, Swindon on 10:34am Mon 12 May 08
So it makes you want to give up work? ... Solution, hire an accountant ... oh, not possible, like many teachers, (oops, sorry Doug, Mrs Doug) they're all quitting because the job's too involved are they?
We ain't all daft ... the small businessman is also doing heaps of paperwork for his own benefit ... when was the last time a small businessman bought his [italic]own[/italic] computer system, for example ... tax deductable, by any chance??
Much of the dreaded paperwork is business related, not just for Government Stats.
So it makes you want to give up work? ... Solution, hire an accountant ... oh, not possible, like many teachers, (oops, sorry Doug, Mrs Doug) they're all quitting because the job's too involved are they?
We ain't all daft ... the small businessman is also doing heaps of paperwork for his own benefit ... when was the last time a small businessman bought his own computer system, for example ... tax deductable, by any chance??
Much of the dreaded paperwork is business related, not just for Government Stats.
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 11:33am Mon 12 May 08
Please Donkey, why do you think HMG made Computers 100% in year of purchase, because increasingly HMG are moving to on-line recording. They can then say businesses have no excuse. HMG's various on-line reporting systems are riddled with error, the joke yet again is if you think you've sent it and it transpires that due to an on-line system failure you haven't, who then do you think gets fined. Donkey says Labour the FSB, Chamber of Commerce, CBI, Institute of Directors etc don't. You know the people whose members are having to do it.
Please Donkey, why do you think HMG made Computers 100% in year of purchase, because increasingly HMG are moving to on-line recording. They can then say businesses have no excuse. HMG's various on-line reporting systems are riddled with error, the joke yet again is if you think you've sent it and it transpires that due to an on-line system failure you haven't, who then do you think gets fined. Donkey says Labour the FSB, Chamber of Commerce, CBI, Institute of Directors etc don't. You know the people whose members are having to do it.
Posted by: Justin Tomlinson, Taw Hill, Swindon on 3:42pm Mon 12 May 08
Donkey even by your own standards this is a cheap shot.
Businesses, small, medium and big have huge amounts of paperwork (I am doing mine as I speak!).
Donkey even by your own standards this is a cheap shot.
Businesses, small, medium and big have huge amounts of paperwork (I am doing mine as I speak!).
Posted by: Donkey, Swindon on 6:06pm Mon 12 May 08
Hello Justin ... I think the initial 'cheap shot' was placed by the character 'who dat?' ... one of your flock I understand?
He is one of the praying mantis's awaiting anything which offers anti-Labour scorn and the usual defamation of our two MPs also accredited to the regular Tory activists on here.
We all know why Mr Fisher had to include a snipe at the Government as the main reason why he wanted to retire early. I had my reasons, when I did likewise, but I blamed no-one!
Best to retire gracefully and make the best of it ... then the self-incurred response would not occur, would it not?
Hello Justin ... I think the initial 'cheap shot' was placed by the character 'who dat?' ... one of your flock I understand?
He is one of the praying mantis's awaiting anything which offers anti-Labour scorn and the usual defamation of our two MPs also accredited to the regular Tory activists on here.
We all know why Mr Fisher had to include a snipe at the Government as the main reason why he wanted to retire early. I had my reasons, when I did likewise, but I blamed no-one!
Best to retire gracefully and make the best of it ... then the self-incurred response would not occur, would it not?
Posted by: Robert Feal-Martinez, Swindon on 8:34pm Mon 12 May 08
You are wrong. He called it as his heart said. He had no need to do anything else, Labour were wiped out in the elections, nothing politically to gain.
You are wrong. He called it as his heart said. He had no need to do anything else, Labour were wiped out in the elections, nothing politically to gain.
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