Carol Bellaby, well known throughout the industry during almost 50 years of employment by Daltons Wadkin, retired on 12th May.

Carol joined the company at the tender age of 18 in the year 1967 when the company still occupied their original premises under railway arches near the centre of Nottingham.

Starting as a shorthand typist, going on to be secretary and later PA to MD Francis Dalton Carol was well known to most companies in the woodworking machine industry as well as to Daltons Wadkin’s wide customer base. She was the ever reliable voice at the end of the telephone, always ready to assist the sales department and customers alike whether enquiries be large or small. She was also widely known to the industry press, having forged contacts with most of the prominent timber trade magazines over many years.

Francis Dalton said: “We are sorry to lose Carol and I can’t believe that she has put up with me as her boss for 50 years! She has been an excellent ambassador for the company and we wish her good fortune in a well deserved retirement.”