This is the recollection of former Warwick woman Sue Dyke, whose father Tom Pratt started work at the company in 1935 aged 14. On his retirement he had completed 55 years, the longest anyone had worked there.

Mr Pratt had 'married into' the firm after meeting the then export manager George Guinness's daughter Joyce.

The Courier took a photograph of his retirement party during an emotional day for Mrs Dyke and her family.

She said: "Eagle always was a big, family-oriented company. It was not uncommon for people to work there for 30, 40 or even 50 years. Through all the takeovers they had a loyal staff."

But she does not believe her father's record will be equalled in more career-oriented times.

So what was so special about the Eagle?

The company was started in 1908 by RG Palmer. The factory was originally in the Saltisford and the front of the building, now listed, remains part of the Sainsbury's store today.

The company made dustcarts, but from 1926 until the end of 1936 it included the Eagle Wireless Company, known as Chakophone. Mrs Dyke remembers the slogan on the old office clock was "Chakophone - Master of the Ether".

The wireless sets were made in the old brewery building which was demolished in the 1970s. They were mainly assembled by female staff and the wireless founders Guy Champ and a Mr Kay paid rent to a Mr Palmer.

Born in 1947, Mrs Dyke also recalls members of staff who became friends, including blacksmith Jack Armstrong and carpenter and wood shop craftsman Jack Franks.

Mrs Dyke believes many Warwick people will recognise friends and relatives in the pictures.

Mr Palmer died in 1952 and his son DG Palmer took over. He left the company when it was taken over in 1965.

There were a series of takeovers after that but Mrs Dyke stressed the staff remained loyal.

Mrs Dyke now lives in the New Forest, but still feels she has a link to the Warwick firm.

She added: "Today I watch the Phoenix refuse vehicles in their recognisable bright yellow patrolling the streets around my own home in Hampshire and it always reminds me of my past happy life as part of the old Eagle family."

* Being sent to the hardware store for a long weight and a set of skyhooks were two of the tasks that awaited Warwick lad Ken Goode on his first day at work.

This picture was taken that day in April 1959, at Sims radio shop in Swan Street. Mr Goode's first job was charging the 'wet' batteries for use in people's wireless sets, a service that cost 8d for those who owned their own or 10d for those who rented them.

The 15-year-old had just left Campion School, then in Leicester Street, Leamington. Although he later became an engineer and went on to work for the firm for 33 years, he remembers his nerves at being plunged into working life.

He said: "It was frightening.