In 1980 Collins Seafoods was born,
With one man and his van.
Delivering fish door to door,
This man had a plan.
An apprentice jockey in his younger years,
Richard was put through his paces,
But all his efforts paid off,
And he started winning races.
Racing was his passion,
But all good things come to an end,
It was time for the next chapter,
A new profession to befriend.
Driving up to North Shields,
Early hours every day,
And delivering to homes and restaurants,
Soon set him on his way.
It wasn’t for the faint-hearted,
The hours long and work backbreaking,
But his hard work and determination,
Soon became his making.
What started out as one van,
Soon turned into a fleet,
And he was supplying fish and chip shops,
On every corner and every street!
This became the Collins Seafoods,
That you know and love today,
There have been some choppy seas,
But his passion does not stray.
Now over 40 years have passed,
And the time has come to retire,
But the empire that he leaves behind,
Is something to admire.
So many wonderful relationships,
And many stories he could tell,
I’m sure everyone will join us,
in wishing Richard well.
From all the staff at Collins,
We wish you all the best,
We thank you for everything you’ve done,
Now go enjoy your well-earned rest!
Poem by Elaine Armstrong, Sales Administrator at Collins Seafoods.
