Walter retires after 50 years working in same Duke Street building

One of Hawico’s longest-serving employees, Walter Barrie, retired on his 65th birthday last Friday after 25 years with the firm.

He spent his entire 50-year working life in the same building at Trinity Mills in Duke Street. Starting out as a trainee frame worker with Hawick Hosiery in 1967, Walter went on to rack up four decades on the frames, before taking up the position of cleaner for around ten years as Hawico invested heavily in whole-garment technology.

Pictured with his co-workers, he received a cheque from the firm’s directors on his retirement and gifts from colleagues.