A LOCK keeper on the Kennet & Avon Canal for more than 30 years, Bob Preston has retired from his duties at Caen Hill.
He started work with British Waterways when he was 19 in 1973 as a general operative on the Kennet & Avon Canal and has been a lock keeper since 1991. In 2014 he received the prestigious Lock Keeper of the Year Award from the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators.
He has enjoyed meeting and working with some lovely people at Devizes. The flight welcomes people from many locations – as Bob said: “The world comes to visit us.” He plans to enjoy his retirement and has just bought a new bicycle to keep active.
Asked why he’s saying goodbye and hanging up his windlass, he replied: “It’s time to give a younger, fitter, stronger person a chance to do the job.”
Bob also received another award last week – a special certificate of commendation from British Marine – which was presented to him by Russell Fletcher at Foxhangers holiday hire base.
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