THE HISTORY OF THE PERKINS LONG SERVICE CLUB.

On 3rd January 1961 a group of long-serving employees of F.Perkins Limited got together and decided to create a club. Following the take-over by Massey Ferguson Inc. in 1959, they knew that MF had inaugurated a Quarter Century Club, and it was decided that the Perkins club should bear a similar title and be affiliated to the parent club.

On the 10th January a formal meeting was held to launch the Perkins Quarter Century Club. Frank Perkins was asked to be President and the founder members elected the first officials - John Condie as Chairman, Ted Marvill as Vice-Chairman, Wally Clarke as Secretary. The other members of the first committee were T J Bailey, R W Broughton, G R Guest and D F W McNair.

With the qualification agreed to be twenty-five years of unbroken service, there were a total of 40 members. The first Annual General Meeting was held on 8th May 1961, which confirmed the inaugural arrangements and re-elected the officers and committee. The Company was 28 years old at that time.

The aims of the Club as stated at its inaugural meeting were: "To maintain the bonds of fellowship through the activities of the club and to advance the interests of the Company wherever and whenever possible."

The first Annual Dinner was held on Friday 12 May at the Gordon Arms and was sponsored by the Company. The cost of twenty-five shillings per head included a six-course meal, wine, liqueurs, an instrumental trio and entertainment.

By the next AGM in 1962 it had been agreed to award a gold lapel badge to all members.

As the years went by, Club outings and social events were arranged and of course the Club membership grew as more employees became eligible. By the sixth AGM, membership had grown to 157, including two ladies and the Company advised that from 1967 all employees completing 25 years service would be awarded one of a selection of gifts.

In 1967 a decision was reached to limit the membership to 200 only, in view of the potential membership of 2,000 in 1980, which would tax the organisational ability. Qualified employees would join a waiting list until a vacancy occurred. A category of ‘social member’ was introduced for qualified employees after retirement.

In 1977 the rules for membership were changed following lengthy consideration, it being agreed that all employees with 30 years continuous service could be admitted. It was also agreed by the Company that employees reaching 40 years service would receive an additional gift.

1980 saw the membership at 350 ordinary members and 130 social members, with 4 honorary life members. The social events had become quite ambitious, and included overseas weekends as well as visits, dinners and other gatherings. The Presidency of the Club rotated on a yearly basis after the retirement of Frank Perkins, with the committee deciding upon suitable candidates for confirmation at the AGM. From 2009 the option of the President being in office for 2 years was introduced.

In 2006 the rule regarding continuous service as a condition of application for membership was reduced from thirty years to twenty-five years. In 1998, the distinction between current employees as full members and retirees as social members was dropped. The present day Long Service Club maintains the traditions originally set and is thriving, in spite of the large number of retirements over recent years. The future is in some ways less certain since present day employees seem less likely to stay with any company for 25 years or more. 

However the Club has adapted. In 2016, recognising the acquisition of Perkins by Caterpillar 18 years previously, the rules were changed so that membership of the Club became open to any current or former employee of Perkins, or of Caterpillar who had been based in Peterborough for a part of his or her employment, and who had a total of 25 years of service, which did not now have to be continuous. At the 2019 AGM the qualifying service was reduced to 20 years, and at the 2021 AGM it was reduced further to 15 years.

The main event in the Club calendar is the Annual Dinner in May with over 100 members present along with senior Company representatives. It is a great time to meet current and former long serving colleagues. During the year, our Social Committee also organise a series of events, including a Christmas Social in Franks (the Company restaurant), day excursions, theatre visits and short breaks.