March man retires after 50 years at Wisbech firm

A March man has proved he was a cut above the rest after a remarkable 50 years at a Wisbech textile firm.

Dave Warby joined Pike Textiles as a teenager and nearly half-a-century later he has retired.

Mr Warby was given a big send-off from the his colleagues at the firm, which is based in Sandall Road.

He joined the team at the tender age of 15 when the firm was still based in March.

When the business moved to Wisbech in 1973, Mr Warby drove the minibus to ferry staff from March each day.

Andrew Pike paid tribute to Mr Warby’s dedication to the company.

In a moving farewell speech, Mr Pike remembered his father taking Mr Warby on a research trip to America – and when given free rein to choose any restaurant one night, he chose McDonald’s!

A highlight for Dave in 2009 was a prestigious Behind the Seams award, which gave nationwide recognition to Dave as an unsung hero of the UK textile industry.

A lifelong Chelsea fan, Mr Warby was delighted to receive a signed Zola shirt from his colleagues.

Mr Warby’s wife, two daughters, sons-in-law and two grandchildren joined over 100 of his recent and former colleagues at the firm’s premises to celebrate his career.

He also ensured his name would live on at Pike by christening a machine “Dave” and smashed a chocolate bottle of champagne over a plaque marking his 50 years’ service.