BACK in August 1983, Neville Crathorne decided to step down as manager of Ellerman Travel in Ludlow.

Mr Crathorne had served as the agency’s manager for 10 years and had spent 27 years in total in the travel business.

He had moved to the area with his wife Sheila some 17 years previously and had served on South Shropshire District Council for seven years.

His retirement was marked by a dinner party at the Feathers Hotel. Mr Crathorne is seen handing over the keys to his successor Bernice Lockley, watched by assistants Vicky Newman and Lesley Ward.