Joe Wardman (82 years old) retired after more than seven decades of serving as a distributor for the family company "Wardman Newspapers" following the death of his father in 1964. His father was a partner in establishing the company in the British town of Barrow Cambrian in 1922.
Joe began newspaper distribution to homes and businesses in 1945 when he was 11 years old, and he continued in this role until his retirement. Even after his retirement, he continued delivering newspapers until his last working day on September 21 of last year.
Joe said about his retirement decision: "I have spent about 70 years of my life working, and I believe there is nothing left for me to accomplish now." He added that his retirement was a good decision, especially since the person who succeeds him in responsibility needs to relax.
Joe started the newspaper distribution due to the request of his older brother for national service and continued to work even during the newspaper boy strikes in 1959. Joe recalls the days of newspaper distribution during a time when the price of a copy was only one cent.
Joe was affected by the emergence of television on the printed press, but he believes that newspapers are still essential for many readers. He points out that his love for journalism and his community and people made him work diligently without stopping for seven decades.
Joe considers his customers as family members, where he used to converse with them regularly and recalls visits from the late Queen Elizabeth and other historical events.