We’ll miss Bert Bell (From York Press)

We’ll miss Bert Bell

11:02am Saturday 6th October 2012 in Letters By Reader's letter

IT WAS good to read recently in The Press of October 4 the happy memories of Bert Bell and his times with the Pensioners Association of Rowntrees, which he helped to set up when he retired in 1980.

I had the pleasure of working with Bert for more than 18 years in the old advertising department of what was then Rowntree Mackintosh.

Bert, a joiner by trade and a Freeman of York, was display manager responsible, among other things, for the design and construction of shop displays, exhibitions and conferences all over the UK.

He was the most practical and creative man I have ever known and my own career owes an awful lot to his friendly guidance and advice.

Bert was a fountain of knowledge with regard to the history of York and Rowntrees, having spent 50 years working for the company.

Bert died a couple of weeks ago aged 96 and he and Winnie, his wife of more than 60 years, until she herself died, were good friends to my family over the years and we and many of his former colleagues and friends at Rowntrees will miss him.

Thanks, Bert.

Richard Atkinson, Canterbury Close, Wigginton, York.