8:30am Tuesday 16th March 2010
A BOY gardener who grew into one of Northwich’s foremost custodians is preparing to retire after 44 years.
Steve Sharman, chief executive of Northwich Town Council, is stepping down from his post on April 1.
The 59-year-old decided to take early retirement to spend more time with his wife Eileen, who he described as the highlight of his council career.
“If it hadn’t have been for the council, I wouldn’t have met Eileen,” he said.
“I owe the council a lot really.”
Steve, who originally wanted to be a railway signalman, started working for Northwich Town Council as a boy gardener in the parks and cemeteries department, and worked in the greenhouses at Dane Nurseries.
He got his job on August 8, 1966, as a 15-year-old, fresh from Rudheath Secondary Modern School, where he got a distinction in rural studies and horticulture.
During his time as an apprentice, he got paid extra for locking the cemetery gates, in Church Road, at evenings and weekends, which is where he met Eileen as she walked past with her friends.
They got married in 1973, when Steve was also made supervisor.
He became parks and cemeteries superintendent in 1978, and was made chief executive in 2003.
For 37 years of his working life, Steve worked closely with his brother Jeff, who started with the town council as a gardener and became operations manager and cemetery registrar, until Jeff passed away in August last year.
During his time as chief executive, Steve achieved the demanding CILCA qualifications and helped the town council achieve Quality Town Council Status.
He said: “I’ve always had fantastic staff – when you look at the years they’ve stayed with me, many are on 20 to 30 years’ service.
“I’ve worked with some good councillors too.
“Without the councillors and staff, if I may be so bold as to say it, I wouldn’t have been as successful as I have been.”
To celebrate his retirement Steve, who has a daughter, Jodie, and two grandsons, eight-year-old Evan and six-year-old Elliot, is planning a family holiday to Florida in May.
He said: “I also want to say a big thank you to Eileen for all her support and to my family.
“I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Will Gibson, who has been Knutsford’s assistant town clerk since 2003, is to be appointed as the next chief executive.
He said: “I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”
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