Working for 40 years at one company is no easy feat, but this hardworking furniture maker has taken it all in his stride and as he celebrates his 65th birthday he looks back at life in High Wycombe’s changing industry.

From Parker Knoll to G-Plan and Ercol, Colin Ward has seen them all and after celebrating more than 40 years with family-run business TailorMade Sofas he says he has no plans to stop anytime soon.

Once the thriving industry of the town, many started work at a town centre factory, but as Mr Ward recalls much has changed over the decades.

He started working for the Hawkins family in 1972, when he joined John Hawkins Furniture Ltd based in Victoria Street.

The company managing director was John Hawkins and his son Brian worked alongside him.

During the late 1980’s furniture manufacturing in High Wycombe started to decline, the cheaper imports of furniture made it hard to compete and larger stores closed because of the financial problems facing businesses at that time.

Brian Hawkins decided to change the business model and started selling direct to the general public.

Colin was one of the original members of the factory who carried on working for the family in the new style business, making individual pieces directly for the general public.

Over the years he has adapted with the times and, according to company bosses, remains one of their most highly skilled craftsmen.