Park keeper Mac retires after 55 years' dedication

Stuart MacDonald (or "Mac") has worked at East Park for more than half a century

A park keeper has retired after dedicating more than five decades of his life to the job.

Stuart MacDonald, 78, fondly known by locals and his colleagues as Mac, first started working at East Park in Hull in 1971.

From working on Christmas Day for several years and getting to know dogs and their owners, Mr MacDonald said he had "met lovely people from all walks of life".

Reflecting on more than 55 years of service, his colleagues described it as a "sad day" and said they would "never get anyone with so much passion and commitment to the park" again.

A special event was held at The Pavilion Cafe to bid farewell to Mac

Mr MacDonald said he had originally hoped to retire at 80 but had to bring things forward due to ill health.

One of the aspects of the job he enjoyed most was carrying dog biscuits in his "little van", with several off-lead dogs running up to him.

"There are some nice people you meet in parks – some lovely people from all walks of life.

"I will still come in as I'm still connected with it, but I'll miss it," he said.

He added that over the years he had taken photographs of "anything that moves or has been planted" at the park, delivering several talks to schools and churches.

Mac has seen East Park through several changes over the past 55 years (original photographer unknown)

Shaun Acum, senior park ranger at East Park, worked with Mr MacDonald for 36 years.

He said: "Mac's a stickler to the rules. If you're not doing what you should do, he'd generally come across and tell you.

"We've had 20-year-old lads turn up for work and he's run them ragged. He keeps up with them.

"It's definitely a sad day for all of us to watch him go."

East Park manager Howard Flitton, who first met Mac in 1985, said: "We've been through many journeys together.

"You'll never get anyone with so much passion and commitment to the park.

"There're not many people I know who actually want to work Christmas Day, and he has done for as many [years] as I can remember."

Mr MacDonald said: "I would just like to thank all the dog walkers for putting up with me, and will miss them all and feeding the dogs biscuits."

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