A FAIRFIELD Farm employee who has been involved with the Dilton Marsh college since 1977 is celebrating 40 happy years there.

Tony Haines, who has learning disabilities, celebrated his 60th birthday on January 22 and used the occasion to look back at his long and varied career at Fairfield Farm, where he is the longest-serving member of staff.

After joining as a student at the age of 16 in 1977 having left college in Chippenham, Mr Haines stayed on to work as a farm labourer and is now part of the four-man maintenance team.

“My old social worker told me about Fairfield and suggested I should go there after college,” said Mr Haines, who cycles to work from his home in Westbury three times a week.

“It’s been a huge part of my life and I really enjoy working here – mainly because of the people I work with.

“Everyone is really supportive of me and we have some really good banter in the maintenance team which I really enjoy.”

Over the course of his decade-spanning career, Mr Haines has put his hand to a number of roles, picking up new skills all the time.

He added: “When I first started I used to milk the cows quite a lot, which was my favourite thing to do.

“We also grew potatoes which we then sold once a week at markets in Chippenham and Bradford on Avon which was also good fun,

“These days I assist the maintenance lads with their daily tasks. Whether it’s handing them their tools during a job or clearing up after a job, it’s all good fun.”

Mr Haines said he has gathered lots of funny stories from his time working at the college, including how he once accidentally drove a tractor into a pond as the brakes wouldn’t work, before being rescued by someone in a bigger tractor.

Vice-principal of the college, Debbie Farley, said: “Tony has been incredibly beneficial to the college over his career.

“Some employers might have doubts over hiring someone with learning difficulties but Tony is a shining example that shouldn’t be the case.

“He is loyal, hard-working, committed and having him here is an absolute pleasure."