Westhoughton park keeper retires after 41 years

Described by the mayor as tending Westhoughton's Central Park “as if it were his own garden”, Stephen Gilmore has hung up his boots after more than four decades of service.

There were warm tributes at Westhoughton Town Council recently as long-serving park keeper Stephen was thanked for 41 years of dedication to maintaining parks and open spaces.

Presenting him with a certificate and a garden-centre voucher, Town Mayor Councillor Gillian Wroe told the meeting: "If you walk through Central Park, you’ll have seen this man, Steve Gilmore, diligently at work. He cares for it as if it’s his own garden. After 41 years – I’m sure you must have started when you were about 16 – Stephen is finally hanging up his boots and wellies.