Congratulations to Nightshift Operative Paul Doxey who has recently completed 40 years with the company.
Paul was presented with the Institute of Quarrying award to recognise his length of service to the quarrying industry by Shift Supervisor Rick Hughes.
Paul started his career on the 4th September 1984 at Shining bank Quarry which was then operated by Thomas Wards. Shining bank was a small limestone quarry between Bakewell and Youlgreave in Derbyshire. Starting on an initial six week contract due to illness to one of the workers, Paul remembers his first day meeting John Shaw, who was in charge of the site at the time. The poorly worker never returned and Paul’s 40 year journey started from there.
After several years at Shining Bank, Paul moved to Goddards Quarry in Stoney Middleton just as RMC were building the plant there. Paul has fond memories from his time there and the different roles he undertook. He remembers having to go out on the main road to stop traffic during blasting, as sometimes bits of stone would land on the A623 there.
On the 1st July 2007 Paul moved to Dove Holes Quarry due to Goddards Quarry imminent closure and he initially started on the Primary nightshift. Five years later Paul was on the move again but this time just a shift and department change within Dove Holes. He moved onto the Secondary nightshift where he’s predominately been loading the trains since.
During his time with Wards, R.M.C and Cemex, Paul has covered many different job roles and met lots of different people over that time. Paul thinks that there isn’t as many characters as they’re used to be but that the job has improved considerably. “The improvement in safety standards and behaviours in them 40 years is incredible” Paul stated. With a wry smile and a shake of the head Paul stated that “by today’s standards you’d never believe how we did things back then and thankfully the company and industry has come a long way”.
Paul has used his Long Service gift money from Cemex to put towards a holiday for him and his family.
Well done Paul from all of us at Cemex and at Dove Holes Quarry.