Farewell Graham - Clerk of Works retires after 50 years
After playing a key role in some of the biggest construction projects in East Lothian, Graham Irvine has retired after more than 50 years with our council.
Graham was a Clerk of Works for the last 35 years of his service, helping to ensure new buildings met their planning and safety specifications.
And before that he spent 15 years as a joiner, maintaining council properties across the county.
But the Longniddry resident doesn’t intend to put his feet up, with plans instead to climb Munros and devote more time pursuing his passion for coastal rowing.
Graham, 67, said: “Working for the council has been a big part of my life. In many ways, it’s like leaving a family. I haven’t got a bad word to say about anybody I’ve worked with over the years. Everyone has been really great, really friendly, but I just decided it was the right moment to go.”
After growing up in Carberry Mains, Graham attended Musselburgh Grammar School before leaving at 16 and starting work on the family farm.
He said: “My dad said to me I shouldn’t stay on the farm and should get a trade, so I started with the council as an apprentice joiner in January 1976, attending Jewel and Esk Valley College at the same time.
“I worked as a joiner until 1991, mostly carrying out maintenance work on council homes. I enjoyed it but decided I wanted a new challenge and did a two-year HNC in Building Inspection and Supervision at Glasgow College of Building and Printing. That got me the role as a Clerk of Works.”
On the ball
For more than three decades, Graham has been involved in building projects large and small, including major housing developments and the construction of new schools.
He said: “I was first on site at Blindwells when the work started and there was nothing there. Now it’s this huge development with its own school. My last jobs have been the council properties in Longniddry Village and the expansion to the nursery at Longniddry Primary.
“As a Clerk of Works, you’re the eyes and ears for the architect to make sure the job is done properly to their specifications and drawings. Everything has to meet the criteria which was passed at the planning stage. You have to be on the ball and careful with what you do. You’re responsible for the building until the handover date. That means being on site to see what’s happening, with weekly or daily visits depending on the project, and making regular reports back to the architect or whoever the client is.
“As part of a team of four Clerk of Works, we were always very busy. We had to be able to cover each other’s job if required so you had to be up to speed on everything.”
Advances in technology provided the biggest changes that Graham witnessed during his long career. He said: “I started with carbon paper and maybe a photocopier. Now it’s all computers and phones. It’s been hard to keep up with sometimes, but my partner Alison was able to keep me right whenever I got stuck with it.”
After moving to a three-day week when he turned 66, the father-of-three decided to retire and completed his final day on 6 August.
He said: “My first grandchild is due two weeks after I retire but I’ve already told my daughter I’ll be too busy to do much babysitting! Coastal rowing, which is basically sprint racing in the sea, has been my weekend hobby for many years and I intend to do more of that. I row for two clubs and help to look after and repair the boats.”
Outstanding contribution
Now a fixture in the sport’s over-60s competitions, Graham has rowed for the South East of Scotland in freshwater sprints and even competed in the World Championships.
He added: “The rowing keeps you fit and I intend to get back into climbing Munros again. I won’t be lying on the couch all day and watching TV that’s for sure!”
Stephen Akers, Team Manager - Design and Programme Management, said: “Graham had an incredible career spanning over 50 years with our council. He provided a quality service through his care, commitment and personal approach to his work. There is an almost endless list of council buildings that are now safer and better places to be because of Graham’s involvement and keen eye during various construction works.
“He was a well-respected member of our Clerk of Works team and will be sorely missed. We thank Graham for his outstanding contribution and wish him a well-deserved long and happy retirement.”