Steve scores a half century of service
As international football legend Bobby Moore was lifting the World Cup for England in 1966, 16 year old Aylesbury lad Steve Nicholls was taking the first nervous step on his career ladder with Buckinghamshire County Council.
A full 50 years on, while the momentous World Cup win is a misty memory, Steve is still going strong at County Hall where he has risen through the ranks and is now one of the longest-serving members of staff.
‘Times may have changed over the last half century, and I have been witness to many changes in this Council, but I have enjoyed the many years and variety of jobs I have had,’ says Steve.
One of the biggest changes was the opening of the New County Offices in October 1966, and as the 14-story block prepares to celebrate its half century, Steve recalls he was one of the first to occupy offices in the building.
Starting in the Clerks printing department, Steve moved to work in various sectors across the council including Social Services, Fire Services, and Aylesbury Vale Education before joining the Schools Commissioning Team in 1986 where he continues today managing projects, new buildings, extensions and alterations for schools as a Commissioning Manager.
Born in London, Steve moved to Aylesbury at the age of four where he grew up. After leaving Quarrendon School at 16 – ironically the school’s demolition would later be organised by the team he now works – Steve started working for the County Council after seeing the printing job advertisement his local newspaper, The Bucks Herald.
He says: “I am very proud to have reached 50 years’ service for Buckinghamshire County Council. I remember thinking how working for local government always offers good prospects and potentially a job for life – which evidently it was!
‘I vividly remember my first day, which was a bit scary at the time, but I have had the opportunity to work with some fantastic people across numerous departments. One time I was lucky enough to meet the likes of Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier and Frankie Howerd at Pinewood Studios whilst working on the studios Fire Certificates– which is one of my fonder memories.’
Chairman Val Letheren said: ‘It’s wonderful to see Steve reach this incredible milestone. His commitment and dedication to Buckinghamshire County Council is inspiring to everyone associated with the Council.’
And for Steve, one year beyond traditional retirement age, career is definitely still in play.‘They may think it’s all over,’ he says. ‘But it isn’t yet!”