FORMER workers of Helston’s Wincanton Garages gathered at the weekend for their annual get together.

Around 50 people gathered at Breage Social Club for the event on Saturday, which gave the chance for former colleagues to catch up over a pasty and look at old photographs.

Organiser David Gray said: "It went extremely well. A couple of us gave a brief speech to thank people for their response.

Guest of honour was garage director Roy Christophers, now aged in his 90s. Displaying the same thoughtful characteristics as he did when in charge, he made sure to speak to every person who was there.

"He's well liked and well known in the area," added Mr Gray.

Mr Christophers joined the firm in 1947, starting as a fitter, and then moved to St Johns as commercial foreman

of workshops and outside repairs. He was made manager and then director of Wincanton Garages Ltd on October 23, 1969, in charge of five garages across the south west.

Wincanton Garages operated from Penzance Road, both where the Lidl supermarket stands today and the

opposite side of the road. The company was set up in 1920 by Leonard Christophers and his wife, Millicent,

as a haulage business.

This was sold to Cow & Gate in June 1940 and renamed Wincanton Garages. Unigate was formed when Cow

& Gate and United Dairies amalgamated.

At one stage more than 100 people were employed there.