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David Darge (front, light blue top) retired from plumbing firm after 50 years. Donald Matheson senior is beside him front left. Picture: Callum Mackay.
When it comes to loyal service, David Darge’s track-record in plumbing is as watertight it comes.
The 66-year-old Inverness man has just hung up his toolkit and company overalls after a remarkable half-century of dedicated service with family firm D. Matheson and Son Ltd.
Having joined after leaving Millburn Academy at the age of 15, Mr Darge finally stepped down as company CEO on Friday last week.
During 51 years with the firm, he progressed from menial jobs like cleaning gutters to complex boiler repairs, IT and estimates, and into the boardroom and a key managerial role.
Never one to like a fuss or spotlight, Mr Darge was honoured at a special surprise retirement lunch at the Mustard Seed where colleagues gave presents and shared nostalgic stories.
Among the special gifts was an Invergordon Distillery single malt barrelled in 1973, the year Mr Darge joined the firm.
Founded 128 years ago, the plumbing and central heating firm with a base at the city’s Fraser Street, has been a big favourite of customers in Inverness and across the Highlands ever since.
It was latterly run by brothers Donald and the late John Matheson, as well as other family members.
Work in Inverness, and at estates on Skye and up the west coast, made Mr Darge a familiar face to many.
David Darge has retired from plumbing firm Matheson after 50 years. Picture: Callum Mackay
The Drakies resident, a married dad of two grown up children, admitted the surprise lunch as the curtain closed on his lengthy service made for an emotional day.
“I don’t like a fuss and I was caught unaware – I got a 10-minute warning!’ he said.
“It is the old story, it is hard to let go, but you have to at some point. I was going to leave last year, but stayed on the extra year.
“Like I said to them, I’m always here at the end of the phone if they need help or advice “That’s the least I can do, given the years they have given me.
“It is a great local firm. People keep coming back to them because they are trustworthy. Customers know who they are getting and know they aren’t going to get a sub-standard job.”
Like many young school leavers, Mr Darge had no clear idea of what he wanted to be when he began his first job.
“I was 15 when I left school on May 30, 1972, and joined Matheson,” he recalled.
“The job was advertised and it was the usual – my father told me to go and get an interview.
Donald Matheson junior (left) with David Darge who retired from plumbing firm after 50 years. Picture: Callum Mackay.
“I got the job, and that was it. I hadn’t a clue what was in store and would never have imagined being there for half a century. I never gave it a thought.
“I’ve become part of the family, really, over the years, holidaying with the senior director Donald who is now 85.
“I started off, like everybody else, doing choked drains and various other menial tasks, progressing onto central heating, wiring and then when I was 50 I was taken into the office as a director and would do estimates, the IT and such like.
“I’ve more or less done everything there is to do in the company.”
A keen marathon runner up to the year 2000 – completing the New York, Paris and London events among others – Mr Darge has plans to enjoy some boating and camping in his retirement in the scenic west Highlands.
Donald Matheson senior, who remains a director after many years, said: “It was a lovely celebration with David at the Mustard Seed with current and former members of staff.
“Fifty-one years’ service -– the last 20 as director – is remarkable. From the age of 15, he worked his way up the ladder and was an extremely popular member of staff, both with colleagues, and customers alike. He will be greatly missed.
“However, it’s not a final goodbye, as David, who has developed the company’s IT system over the years, has agreed to continue to look after this on an ad hoc basis.”
Fellow director Donald L Matheson assumes Mr Darge’;s responsibilities, while Jennifer Matheson continues as senior office manager Neil Matheson – Jennifer’s son– becomes a director.
Darius Matheson – Donald’s son – continues as a senior plumbing and heating engineer, along with long-serving John Rodden and Ruaridh Fraser.
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www.inverness-courier.co.uk
https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/50-years-flush-inverness-plumbing-firm-servant-retires-afte-321891/
