Bamford family marks Coronation with gift to 8,500 employees

THOUSANDS of JCB employees will be toasting the Coronation in style this weekend – thanks to a commemorative gift from the Bamford family.

More than 8,500 special hampers are being presented to JCB and agency employees in the UK to mark the historic event thanks to an idea from Carole Bamford, wife of JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford.

Lord Bamford said: “JCB has a long history of commemorating significant moments in our national history. The Coronation really will be an occasion to remember, and I am delighted to be able to mark the event with a gift from our family to our employees.”

Financial Controller Chet Tanna, who has worked for JCB for 30 years, said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic gesture from the Bamford family. I can’t imagine there will be many other companies marking this historic occasion in such a wonderful way.”

The special hampers will contain two Coronation mugs, shortbread, mints, and loose leaf tea in commemorative tins – all designed by renowned artist and illustrator Hugo Guinness.  A mammoth distribution operation has swung into action to ensure employees have their gifts in time for the celebrations, with the bulk of the deliveries starting as early as 4am on Friday as nightshift employees finish work.

The presentation of gifts rounds off a week of Coronation celebrations at JCB this week when thousands of employees at plants across the UK have been taking part in a company-wide street party. JCB treated employees to a two-course celebration lunch over four days with classic British cuisine served on traditional street party trestle tables.