10
The Sun
one on one with the Sun
Wednesday February 12, 2014
Reflections on a life of loyal service As he retires after forty five years at Cuddon Engineering, Neville Patchett speaks to Glenise Dreaver about the changes he has seen On January 27, 1964, Neville Patchett of Blenheim celebrated his sixteenth birthday and he started work at Cuddon’s Engineering the very next day. “The Boss” (WGG Cuddon) wouldn’t let Neville begin his refrigeration apprenticeship until he was 16, so he was there on the first day he was eligible. On January 28, 2014, Neville retired as manager of the refrigeration department after a working life that has spanned fifty years. Forty five of those years were spent at Cuddons. Neville did take some time out after his apprenticeship was finished and he had spent some years in Cuddon’s retail shop in Alfred Street. He worked out of the building now used by Marlborough’s community services. Neville said they sold and serviced whiteware and other goods like TVs, stereos, lawn mowers and appliances of all sorts. The showroom also included a Value-Rite hardware outlet. But he decided to take a break so he did a couple of seasons in the freezing works, then a couple of years in the grape industry. “They were pulling out the Muller Thurgau vines that had fallen out of favour and sauvignon blanc was being planted instead.“ But Blenheim is a small town. So when he heard his former boss John May was retiring as manager of the refrigeration section, he went back to John Cuddon Jnr and asked if they were interested in having him back. They would, and a few months later when John May retired, Neville was appointed manager. “John was at my retirement party on January 28. He was only 36 years old when I started as a 16-year-old and it’s funny to think that now he’s going to be 86 this year and I’m 66.” All his old bosses were at his party, all except the late WGG, who had established the firm over 75 years ago. “WGG was my mentor. I looked up to him and he was one of the big influences in my life. A very nice, very astute man. “He knew all the 120-odd staff by name and
walked around the factory once a week and talked to everyone. “He was also an adventurer and a bit of an inventor.” Some of WGG’s inventions were used at the Grassmere salt works, as were the whaling harpoons he designed. There were also some very innovative agricultural products. “The Cuddons catch phrase was “Innovation”. “And it still is.” He pointed out that the constant refining of the freeze dry processes they began developing in the sixties sees them still as a market leader, with their product regarded as superior product worldwide. “Yet in the early days no one understood it.” Most of the freeze dry development had been done in secret before Neville started with the firm. “They worked out of WGG’s garage, behind closed doors. But I was lucky to be there at the start.” Heat pumps, which use the reverse refrigeration process, are now a big growth area for the firm said Neville. It was a big thrill to see quite a few of the firm’s local competitors celebrating his career at his farewell, including Gordon and Glen Herkt, John Phibbs and Allan Martella. “They all trained at Cuddons. We all knew each other.” The social club had been very active in the early years said Neville. “Our mid year and end of year celebrations were so popular we had people ringing up and wanting to know if they could come. Numbers had to be restricted so each staff member was able to bring their partner and one other couple. “We also played very social cricket, and had picnics at White’s Bay and Pelorus Bridge. “Everyone got on. “Cuddons has been a very fun place, an enjoyable place to work.” But it was time to go. “You never know how long the piece of string is...”
“WGG was my mentor.”
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