In 1964, a remarkable timepiece was quietly passed into a family connected to the Fruehauf factory, one that still carries the story of loyalty and industrial pride.
Long before the site became home to Fruehauf, it was owned by the renowned engineering firm Aveling-Barford. At its peak, the company was a major employer in the region, producing road rollers, dumpers and front loaders, and developing a workforce where many employees dedicated decades of their lives to the business.
To honour this commitment, Aveling-Barford hosted an annual celebratory evening for staff who had completed 25 years of service or more. The event—known fondly among employees as the “25 Year Club Dinner” was a prestigious occasion, attended by both workers and company directors, and regarded as one of the highlights of the corporate calendar.
During the 15th annual celebration, a gold-plated Buren watch was presented to Walter Ambrose Robotham. Each watch was individually engraved with the recipient’s name, a lasting symbol of gratitude and recognition for years of loyal service. Today, that same watch remains in the family, linking past and present generations of workers connected to the Fruehauf site.
The celebrations extended beyond the presentation itself. Attendees were treated to an evening of fine dining at the George Hotel in Grantham an establishment that has since disappeared, but lives on in the memories of those who attended these prestigious events.
More than just a formal dinner, the night was designed to celebrate dedication, craftsmanship and loyalty at a time when lifelong careers within a single company were common. Decades later, the watch and its story stand as a tangible reminder of an era when service was not only valued, but proudly celebrated.
