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The foreman of the Hadlow Estate near Tunbridge Wells has retired after 50 years working for three generations of owners.
Mick Cheesman, 66, hung up his hammer and chisel on Friday at the end of a long career that started when he was a boy of 15.
It followed a chance meeting in a local pub in 1970, between his father and the estate’s carpenter. The discussion led to the young Mick starting work there as a carpentry apprentice.
Mr Cheesman recalled: “When I began working on what was then known as the Somerhill Estate, I used a push-bike to ride to work from Tudeley to the carpenter’s yard about two and a half miles away.
"We then used our bikes to ride all over the estate to our different jobs.
"We carried out general maintenance, made windows and doors and pitched roofs.
"Although I was there as a carpenter, we were taught all sorts, so if you weren’t busy, you would go out with the plumber or whoever needed an extra pair of hands."
He said: "I enjoyed the variety – you never knew whether you'd be making a window or unblocking a drain.”
He has worked for three generations of the family, starting during the tenure of Sir Harry and Lady d’Avigdor–Goldsmid, then for Chloe and James Teacher, and finally after James' death, for the current owners Harry and Kate Teacher.
To an extent he was carrying on a family tradition, as his grandfather, Ernest Catt, had previously worked at the estate for 60 years as a woodsman.
As estate foreman, Mr Cheesman's role has been to oversee all of the work taking place, liaising with different contractors and workers. He was responsible for all the tenant properties on the estate.
He said: “I will miss the people. I think I know virtually every tenant and tenant farmer.”
As well as the happy memories there are some he would rather forget. One being the Great Storm of 1987.
He said: “There was lots of damage. I went to work at 6am and it was non-stop – we spent the Thursday through to the midday on the Sunday fixing damaged buildings and leaking roofs. One house even had a lime tree come in through the back of it.”
He plans now to spend more time with his grandchildren and wife Vicky.
His assistant foreman Gaven Thomas will be the man taking over from Mr Cheesman. Mr Thomas said: "There is not a lot Mick doesn’t know across multiple trades. His are big shoes to fill!”
Kate Teacher said: "Mick’s depth of knowledge of the estate has been invaluable.
"He’s also got some brilliant anecdotes and memories of local events and characters, we’ve had some laughs about his reminiscences.
"We wish him well for his retirement."
Read more: All the latest news from Malling
