Alf Osmond is arguably the oldest working tea ‘boy’ in the newspaper industry.

He was 90 years young on February 4 and to mark the occasion, staff at the Kentish Gazette presented him with a watch, birthday bouquet and a balloon.

There was also a special card, courtesy of graphic designer, Mark Thatcher, bearing the legend ‘Nine Tea Today’!

Alf was already well past retirement age when he started work at the Kent Messenger Group’s Canterbury office about 21 years ago.

These days, he visits for an hour a day to make sure the drinks machine is in working order.

Advertising administrator, Wendy Hubbard said: “When he started, we had two drinks machines, one in the Press Hall area and one upstairs.

“But when we stopped printing here at Canterbury the machine in the Press Hall was taken out.

“We held a collection here and all departments – advertising, editorial, training and newspaper sales – contributed.”

The birthday boy was delighted with his gifts and staff gathered around to toast him with a fresh brew!

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