LOYAL staff at a Dengie based farming firm are marking an incredible 37 years with the firm. 

Dengie, a farming cooperative founded in 1968, is celebrating numerous employees who have dedicated decades of service to the company.

Of the Southminster-based firm's team, 17 individuals have served for more than 25 years.

A remarkable 37 years at the company was concluded in May 2024 by two of their longest-standing workers -  Helen Smith, personal assistant to the managing director, and Alan Tyler, logistics and bale movement operative.

Ms Smith recalled: "I have certainly seen a lot of changes within the company since starting as a school leaver.

"Luckily, I have had the privilege of meeting most of the founding farmers who created Dengie in my younger years and it’s wonderful seeing their families still being part of it to this day.

"The company has grown immeasurably over that time with many new products and members old and new.

"I can honestly say it definitely doesn’t seem like 37 years ago that I started."

Among others celebrating significant service anniversaries this year include Trevor Robinson, part of the production team with 35 years at the company; David Vince who achieved 30 years in site hygiene; and both Sheena Vella, site operations support, and Julia Sheppard, office administrator, marked their 25th anniversaries.

Ms Vella said: "My job has been varied over my many years at Dengie ranging from secretarial to customer service to sales support and now to the health and safety office.

"I have always felt part of a team and have seen the development of new products, new harvesting techniques, more training both in house and external to deliver the best quality products that we can with the safest methods.

"We strive to work more sustainably achieving significant reductions in fossil fuel usage and recycling as much as possible."

For further information on Dengie feeds tailored for horses and ponies, head to dengie.com.