A "dedicated and passionate" Mansfield man is retiring from an engineering company after 60 years of service. Mick Northing has worked at Boneham, a leading manufacturer and supplier of tooling and precision-engineered components, since 1963.
Mick started at the Sutton in Ashfield-based company at 15 years old, having seen the business on his trips into Nottingham on the bus. Mick said: "We were passing this iconic building and it had massive letters on top saying 'Boneham and Turner's Limited Precision Engineers'. I thought what does precision mean? So I looked it up in the dictionary and it meant exact. So I thought oh I want to be an exact engineer."
He later found out his uncle had previously worked at the business which started his interest in Boneham. Following an advert in the local paper, Mick applied for an apprentice at the company where he had an interview with the current director's grandfather.
Read more: Nottingham woman celebrating 100th birthday says she's "always been kind"
Mick was successful and has worked at the family-run business since 14th January, 1963. He says the major changes he has seen are the advancements in technology.
After 60 years of working at Boneham, Mick is now ready to retire. He said: "Unfortunately my wife has recently been diagnosed with PSP Parkinson's which turns out to be the worst. That was in October last year, I just wanted to get through to this January to get the 60 years which is something I am quite proud of."
Mick, who is the Head of Manufactory in skims, has worked for three generations of the Boneham family. Current Managing Director Peter Bonham said: "There is no one like him. He is an incredibly dedicated and passionate man and believes strongly in the pride you put into your work is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
"It is a mentality that has faded away over the years. His character has been vital to us for future generations and all the people who he has trained. I think to survive 60 years through many changing generations, with every decade you get a change in mentality and a change in the way we think. He has straddled all those generates and never failed to be respected by all of them."
Mick says he feels "no different" now he is heading into retirement. He said: "Unless it has not sunk in yet, maybe when I am at home for a couple months it might but at the moment I don't feel any different to what I did last week, or last year or 5 years ago."
Peter Boneham added: "It's mixed emotions. The health of Mick's wife is a big trigger point and I have had to have a bit of an influence on him to say you have to be at home with your wife. Mick loves this job and he questions what he will be able to do when he gets home.
"People are shocked when he tells them his age and he is still working. I think it going to be a very difficult thing for him to put down the tools and do what he has got to do. It's a sad day but also of pride and celebration because it is one hell of an achievement. I don't think it is going to be replicated and I think it is an elite group of people who have achieved such a feat. It is remarkable and I think it is a real life lesson for a lot of younger people today."
READ NEXT:
Concerns over 'dangerous' Top Valley cut-through after attack
Last chance to get Covid booster jab across Nottinghamshire as offer set to end
Owners of Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Forest Fun Park announce closure after 300 years
Key step forward as operator for student block on Island Quarter announced
