TIME'S up for a golden girl who has completed five decades with the same Port Glasgow firm and is now set for a well-earned retirement.

As a 15-year-old schoolgirl, Helen Pettigrew started at Sangamo, a specialist time switch manufacturer in Port Glasgow.

Back in 1971, Edward Heath was Prime Minister, it only cost 16p for a pint of beer and George Harrison topped the 'hit parade' with My Sweet Lord.

Little did Helen know then that she would spend her entire life working there.

Helen, 65, of Robertson Street in Greenock, said: "I got a wee job I didn't like at first and I thought 'I'm never going to stick it'.

"Fifty years on I'm still here.

"I can't remember what my pay was at that time, it would have only been pounds but I do remember that I was allowed to keep my first wage.

"I could never have imagined when I came here for my interview back in 1971, that I would be happily working for the same company, on the same production line, with some of the same close friends 50 years later.

"I can honestly say that I have really enjoyed every day working here.

"I would describe us as one big happy family"

During her half century at the manufacturing company, Helen met and married her husband Billy, a shipbuilder with Ferguson's, and made lifelong friends, attended the weddings of her friends and family and watched them having their families of their own.

She said: "I have made so many great friends and have always been fully supported by the different managers along the way.

"Obviously, there is a big part of me that will be sad to say my goodbyes and clock out for the final time.

"It still doesn’t feel real somehow.”

The firm makes round pattern time switches and heating controls and Helen, along with five other new recruits, started work on the production line on February 1 in 1971.

She has witnessed many changes over the years, nationally, locally and in her own social circle.

The company has also changed beyond recognition.

The workforce has reduced from several hundred to 19 today, as new machinery, technology and changing work patterns came along.

Helen says the biggest difference is the the amount of staff that used to work there.

She said: "There used to be 600 people working here, and I remember all the bosses that have come and gone.

"It's a good place to work, always has been.

"It doesn't seem like 50 years - the time has flown in."

After being furloughed during the first coronavirus lockdown, Helen decided that she wanted to spend more time sharing the care of her 90-year-old mum Rose with her sister Ann.

Four colleagues are also on their way to reaching the magic milestone.

Pat McCloy joined the company in September 1973, Sandra McKirdy joined the following April, while Ellen McGachey and Elizabeth Diedrich are celebrating 44 years with the company.

Pat, 65, said: "I'm happy for Helen but sad to see her going, she has been a good friend to me over the years.

"It's the end of an era.

"We all started off single, then we got married and started having weans.

"We spent more time with each other than we did with our own families. Helen will be a great loss to Sangamo."

Sandra, 64, said: "I hope Helen enjoys her retirement. I'll miss her - she has been a great friend."

Steve Taylor, Sangamo managing director, said: "I only got to know Helen three years ago when the Scolmore Group - the company that currently owns Sangamo - took over the business.

"She was smiling the first time I saw her and was always very friendly and chatty and had time for everyone.

"I only wish I’d known her for longer.

"It’s incredible to think that she has walked in and out of the same door for the past 50 years.

"She’ll be missed by everyone here and I wish her and Billy a long and happy retirement together.”

Helen received a cheque, flowers, chocolates, champagne, and a carriage clock from the company and a pearl necklace and watch from her workmates and would like to thank everyone for their kind gifts.