Family company makes a toast to 50 years

A company which started out as a one-man band celebrated 50 successful years in business, with a casino themed event at the Fence Gate Inn.

The popular rescue, recovery and repair company held a celebratory party on Saturday 19th November for its 50th birthday and Doug’s 70th birthday, whilst also raising money for local charity, Pendleside Hospice.

John Macadam and Son, which is based in Colne and now has five other depots across the North West including Blackpool, Carlisle, Keighley and Ripon, was established by Doug ‘John’ Macadam in 1966.

Helen Cope, director at Macadams said: “We wanted to mark this momentous occasion and do something special for dad and the whole Macadams team.

“Employees, friends, family and customers were invited and we were overwhelmed with the turnout. It was fantastic for everyone to come together to make a toast to the last 50 years!”

The Macadam story began when Doug bought his first recovery truck and set up on his own, working from his family home, the Stableyard at Oaklands in Barrowford. The business took off and before long relocated to Nelson and then again to Hyde Park in Colne and again to an even larger site in Colne which the company now proudly calls ‘home’.

Doug enlisted the help of his wife Margaret, who was the company’s book-keeper, whilst also keeping it a family affair with daughters Helen and Ainsley and son Alistair, all directors of the company.

Doug said: “I can’t believe how far the company has come in the last 50 years; what we’ve achieved is testament to the hard work and commitment on a daily basis by every single employee.

“The party at the Fence Gate was a great way to celebrate and I can’t thank my family enough for organising it.”

The casino/Vegas themed evening included a three course sit down meal, magician, band, DJ and roulette tables. All money raised from the casino tokens was donated to Pendleside Hospice. Helen added: “Thank you to everyone who attended the party, we had a fantastic time; it was great to celebrate the company and all its achievements, make a toast to dad’s birthday and also raise money for a great local charity which means a lot to us.”