Groundsman put down roots and never left

Dave leaving trust job he loves after 50 years

- BY JESS MOLYNEUX

A GROUNDSMAN who got his first job half a century ago loved it so much he never left.

Born and bred in Maghull, Dave Jones was encouraged by his mum to apply for his first job as an apprentice gardener when he left school back in 1975.

Ever since, Dave, now 66, has worked on site of Parkhaven Trust on Liverpool Road South in Maghull, a dementia charity with a number of nursing homes on the historic grounds that originally cared for people with epilepsy.

Dave has seen a lot of changes over the decades and has come to know generations who have lived, worked at and visited the trust, while also caring for the grounds.

Last week marked Dave's 50th anniversary working there. But on September 25, he is set to retire from a job he has loved to do everyday. Dave said: "When I started a Park Avenue Trust, I was just 16.