The Ridgeon Group recently hosted two celebratory award ceremonies honouring 71 employees at its annual Long Service Awards.

Hosted at Ridgeons’ Green Light Centre in Pampisford, Cambridge, this year saw a record-breaking 1,165 years of combined service celebrated; with 18 branches represented.

Now in its 19th year, the internal awards recognise employees who have dedicated 10, 15 and 20 years of service to the independent timber and builders’ merchant.

Nineteen members of staff reached 10 years of service, 53 employees achieved 15 years, and nine members of the team celebrated 20 years of service.

Ridgeons awarded employees with certificates in handmade frames from its Forest Products division. Employees reaching the career milestones were also granted access to exclusive company benefits.

Gordon Ridgeon, PR director for the Ridgeon Group, said: “Strong relationships are at the core of our business, and continuity of service allows us to maintain relationships with our customers and communities. It is very uplifting for the family and directors to get together with some of our outstanding employees to celebrate their great milestones.

“The Long Service Awards are the perfect opportunity for us to thank our employees for their continued hard work and recognise each as being an extremely important part of the Ridgeon Group’s total team. On behalf of all the family and directors, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to all those recognised at the awards ceremonies.”

Reaching 10 years of service, Ian Clarke, an operations supervisor, attended his first awards ceremony. He added: “The day was fantastic, it was great to see so many of my colleagues’ long careers at Ridgeons being celebrated. Ridgeons is a great team to be a part of and I’m proud to be associated with the company.”