WORKERS at a Rotherham Council depot held a “lorry-load” of celebrations to mark the Queen’s 1977 jubilee.
Rather than paint the town red, council worker John Steele decorated a van with the Union Jack in recognition of the monarch’s milestone.
Then a 22-year-old painter, decorator and sign writer, he said: “My City and Guilds qualification and training was invaluable when it came to calculating how to transfer a 2D union flag design onto a 3D dustbin van.
“I was helped by a youngster from a local school who was at the council on a work experience scheme at the time. I wonder if he’ll see the photo and remember those days?
“It took a lot of marking out the design and ensuring the flag had the correct layout and didn’t end up upside down.”
John, now retired and living in Herringthorpe, added: “The atmosphere was quite celebratory at our depot. My colleagues enjoyed the 1977 jubilee preparations and we were all proud of our contributions to decorate Rotherham.”