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Thameslink's oldest station worker, 85, honoured with song | Thameslink's oldest station worker, 85, honoured with song |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The special track about Siggy Cragwell, left, was written by award-winning singer-songwriter Richard Thompson | The special track about Siggy Cragwell, left, was written by award-winning singer-songwriter Richard Thompson |
An 85-year-old railway worker from north London has been honoured with a folk song to mark his long service. | An 85-year-old railway worker from north London has been honoured with a folk song to mark his long service. |
Siggy Cragwell, from Hampstead, works as an assistant at Elstree and Borehamwood station, and is Thameslink's oldest employee. | Siggy Cragwell, from Hampstead, works as an assistant at Elstree and Borehamwood station, and is Thameslink's oldest employee. |
The special track about Mr Cragwell was one of five commissioned by BBC Radio 2 to tell the stories of people whose lives have been influenced – or changed irrevocably – by trains. | The special track about Mr Cragwell was one of five commissioned by BBC Radio 2 to tell the stories of people whose lives have been influenced – or changed irrevocably – by trains. |
It was written by award-winning singer-songwriter Richard Thompson, and featured Mr Cragwell's cricketing colleagues on backing vocals at their club, Holtwhites-Trinibis, near Gordon Hill railway station. | It was written by award-winning singer-songwriter Richard Thompson, and featured Mr Cragwell's cricketing colleagues on backing vocals at their club, Holtwhites-Trinibis, near Gordon Hill railway station. |
"It's such an honour to have this song written about me," said Mr Cragwell. | "It's such an honour to have this song written about me," said Mr Cragwell. |
Watch: Thameslink's oldest rail worker honoured with song | |
Mr Cragwell came to Britain as part of the Windrush generation in 1962 and started work the day after his ship docked in Southampton. | Mr Cragwell came to Britain as part of the Windrush generation in 1962 and started work the day after his ship docked in Southampton. |
Govia Thameslink Railway said he had been delivering excellent customer service on the railway non-stop ever since. | Govia Thameslink Railway said he had been delivering excellent customer service on the railway non-stop ever since. |
Mr Cragwell did try to retire once but said he found life so boring that he came back to work. | Mr Cragwell did try to retire once but said he found life so boring that he came back to work. |
Mr Cragwell said it was an honour to have a song written about him | Mr Cragwell said it was an honour to have a song written about him |
He has received two lifetime achievement awards – one by popular vote in his north London community – and a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the railway. | He has received two lifetime achievement awards – one by popular vote in his north London community – and a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the railway. |
He previously played cricket for the England over-70s, and still takes wickets from players in their 20s. | He previously played cricket for the England over-70s, and still takes wickets from players in their 20s. |
"I could never have dreamed when I came to this country that I'd still be working for the railway 63 years later and be receiving all these accolades," Mr Cragwell added. | "I could never have dreamed when I came to this country that I'd still be working for the railway 63 years later and be receiving all these accolades," Mr Cragwell added. |
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk |
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