We recently joined our company founder Brian Gott in celebrating his 90th birthday with a party at his home, organised by his family. The day involved great food and great company, with guests being entertained with interesting stories about Brian's life.

Born in Liverpool, Brian got his first job at age 14 working for a butchers where he swiftly developed the skills needed to skin rabbits and carefully remove eyeballs from cows' heads without spoiling the meat. He then had a brief stint in a sawmill before joining the Royal Navy.

In the Navy he would serve on C-Class Destroyers such as HMS Cockade, and during this time he would also meet his wife-to-be, Iona. After starting a family together Brian's work would take them around the country. Whilst working for American lubrication equipment company, Stewart-Warner, Brian and his family first relocated to Essex and then to Morpeth in Northumberland where he has stayed ever since. After a few years in Morpeth, in 1980, Brian decided to set up his own business, Gott Technical Services to distribute lubrication equipment to various industries including the open cast coal sites that were active at that time in Northumberland.

As the company progressed through the 1980s it saw an increasing demand for garage workshop equipment, with vehicle lifts, MOT test equipment, and cleaning equipment added to the range. Brian and Iona worked tirelessly to build a successful business whilst also balancing family life which ultimately lead to a growing number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Despite having a busy life Brian has also managed to commit time to charitable efforts through his membership of Morpeth Rotary Club. He really came to the fore during his term as president of the Rotary Club in 2008 when Morpeth suffered severe and devastating floods. Suddenly, the River Wansbeck burst its banks and overwhelmed the town's flood defenses. Nearly one thousand properties, mostly residential, were damaged. Brian lead a team of volunteers, and devoted a lot of his own time to helping those residents that had been displaced by the floods and lost a lot of property. A warehouse was set up to store and re-distribute much needed donated items including electric white goods. Brian was acknowledged by the British Red Cross for his efforts.

Those are just a few snippets of Brian's life but he has much more to tell about his interesting life. Significant items were included in the decoration of his birthday cake - A battle-ship, a red rose for Lancashire (where he spent a lot of his early life), a butcher's block, cleaver and eyeball (had to get that in there), a Gott Technical Services logo, and a bottle of red wine (Brian's favourite tipple).

On the day of the party Brian even got his wish of the sun shining so people cold enjoy his beautiful garden. Happy birthday Brian!