Amber Valley Borough Councils Longest serving employee retires after 53 years of dedicated service
Amber Valley Borough Council’s longest serving employee ever has retired. Pete Barnes who was most recently employed as a member of the council’s play safety team which looks after the council’s 100 play areas, retired following more than 53 years of continuous service with the council.
Commencing work in early August 1966, just two days after England’s World Cup win, Pete has provided dedicated service to the residents of Amber Valley throughout his exceptionally long career. Pete started work with what was originally Heanor Urban District Council, which later became incorporated into Amber Valley Borough Council in the early 1970s. Pete modestly tried to retire from the council without any fanfare. However, once his colleagues became aware, a special presentation by the Mayor was organised to recognise his considerable achievement.
Councillor John Walker, Mayor of Amber Valley is pictured presenting a specially engraved crystal decanter to Pete. Councillor Walker commented: "I have known Pete myself since 1967 and so it gives me enormous pleasure to present him with this decanter from the council, as well gifts from his colleagues. If you stop to think for moment about 53 years of continuous service, you realise just how impressive Pete’s achievement is. I’m sure all within the borough, would want to join me in wishing Pete a very happy and well-deserved retirement."
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Full programme revealed as Derby Feste prepares to bring free world-class arts to the citys streets The full programme of events for Derby Feste has been officially unveiled, reveal read more | |
| Parents Encouraged To Apply For Their Child's Secondary School Place Parents of year six pupils living in Derbyshire can now apply for their child’s secondary school place for Sep read more | |
| Rewilding Our Senses - FREE event returns to Common Farm this weekend Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is thrilled to announce the return of its annual free, family-friendly event at Commo read more | |
| Still Time to Start A Levels at Derby College Group This September There is still an opportunity for students in Derby and the surrounding area to join Derby College Group (DCG) and read more | |
| New campaign targets smoking-related house fires Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is emphasising the importance of the safe handling and disposal of cigarettes and other smoking mat read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |













