HE began work when a pint of beer cost about 10p and petrol was just 6p a litre.

Now a textile worker has retired after 50 years’ service with the same company – a firm that produces yarn for the world’s biggest fashion names.

Malcolm Greensmith, better known as Malc to his workmates, is all set go to travelling in his retirement.

Malcolm was presented with a cheque from the directors of family-run textile company Z Hinchliffe & Sons.

His retirement came 50 years to the day when he began working for the Denby Dale company at the age of 15.

Malcolm joined the woollen yarn spinning firm as a labourer in the dyehouse and 10 years later was promoted to working foreman in the same department.

Two current directors of the firm, James and Robert Hinchliffe, both worked under him when they joined the family business.

Malcolm said: “Their father, John Hinchliffe, who was managing director, wanted them to work in all parts of the business, so they worked with me for three months in the dyehouse.”

He said: “Everything was done manually when I started. The loads were lifted using ropes rather than chains.

“Over the years, there have been big changes in technology and much more automation.

“The textile industry has had its ups and downs, but the company is still here.”

Malcolm, who was born in Ingbirchworth, was an aspiring footballer in his teens – playing for Barnsley Boys from the age of 10 to 15 and representing England Boys at international level.

Although he was not taken up by a professional club, football remained a passion and he played in midfield for Kexborough Rovers in the Barnsley League.

After moving to Denby Dale in 1964 to live in a company house, he played for Scissett in the Huddersfield League and enjoyed several successful seasons.

Malcolm and partner Sue have three children, Donna, Darren and Leigh, who lives in New Zealand. They also have two grandchildren, Corby and Jake.

Malcolm said he would find plenty to occupy his time during retirement.

He said: “I love tinkering about with cars. I used to customise my own vehicles in the 1980s.”

Malcolm and Sue are also set to go travelling.

Malcolm said: “Donna and Mark have booked us a weekend in Chester in May. It’s one of our favourite cities.

“We will also be going to Portugal for a week later in the year and we hope to go to New Zealand to see the grandchildren in the winter.”

Z Hinchliffe & Sons is one of Huddersfield’s best-known textile names.

Today, the firm is a globally-respected business supplying lambswool, cashmere, camel hair and angora products to the knitwear sector in the UK and overseas.

Customers include major fashion names such as Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Brooks Brothers, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Dunhill and Polo Ralph Lauren.

IT was back in April 1962 that a teenager called Malc Greensmith began work in a textile mill.

But what would his wages have bought him in those days?

The average pay in 1962 was £799 a year, or £66 a month.

To buy a house would cost you an average of £2,670.

Petrol for those who had cars was just 1s 2d, or 6p – compared with the £1.40 a litre it is now.

A night out would set you back only a few shillings, with a beer costing less than 2 shillings (10p) and fish and chips on the way home costing 1s and 2d, or 6p.

The weekly shop wasn’t too bad with a pint of milk about 1s 4d (6.5p) and a loaf of bread 11d or 4.5p.