After three decades of loyal service, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has said a fond farewell to St Mary’s Quay Manager Mervyn Bird, who has left to spend more time on his farm.
Merv, 59, joined the company in 1988 as a storeman on the quay. He recalls: “Everything used to come in loose in the containers and had to be checked off individually before it was loaded onto vehicles.”
He took on a full-time role in October 1995 and has held various quayside jobs on St Mary’s ever since, becoming Quay Manager in June 2002.
“I can remember the first time the Gry came round the corner, and the same for the Lyonesse Lady,” he said. “I’ve definitely enjoyed it, that’s for sure – there’s never been a day when I haven’t enjoyed going to work.
“The freight system we have now has grown around me. It’s a brilliant system, which still can’t be beaten.
“Day-to-day it’s been great fun. Being on the quay is a busy and varied job and I will miss it, but I realised during the lockdowns that two intense jobs is too much for me now.”
Merv will continue to run the family flower farm at Pelistry, as well as the Cornwall Outdoors campsite.
Stuart Reid, Chief Executive of the Steamship Company, said:
“Merv has been a fantastic colleague and friend to many over the years. We will miss him and wish him well.”
