'Trent , Al Bardon bids farewell to first travelling salesman By Henry Bury THE INTELLIGENCER Al Trent was the first travelling salesman hired by Bardon Supplies Limited. And for 26 of his 28 years with the Belleville company, he travelled mainly rural roads selling plumb- ing and heating supplies to cus- tomers. His travelling days are now behind him. Trent retired May 30. A surprise retirement party was held for him June 15 at the Odd- Fellows Hall and more than 200 people -- including many of his cus- tomers -- were on hand to thank Trent for a 'job well done.' Trent was presented with a retirement plaque and a new set of ^olf clubs and golf bag by Barry Raycroft, company vice-president, and owners Sandra and Donald Ray- croft. The 66-year-old Kenron Estates resident said he's planning to do a lot of swinging with his new clubs in retirement. :Tm looking forward to playing a lot of golf. I hope the new clubs improve my golf game," he chuck- led. Trent was hired June 1, 1974, as the company's first travelling sales- man. He stayed on the road for the next 26 years selling plumbing and heating supplies to contractors and retail stores in an area stretching from Haliburton and Lindsay to Trenton, Brighton and Prince Edward County. Most of his customers were in the rural areas and that helped account for Trent logging an aver- age 64,000 kilometres to 72,000 kilometres (40,000 to 45,000 miles) a year on company business. "I sure did a lot of travelling on back country roads," he said. His last two years with the com- pany were spent behind the order desk at the Wallbridge Crescent facility. "I liked those last two years," Trent said. "I really do miss the customers, not so much the travelling. If I could travel in the nice weather all year round, that would be nice. But that doesn't happen." Sandra Raycroft had nothing but high praise for Trent. "In the 44 years I have known him, I've never had one unfriendly word with him," she said. "He's very dedicated and he gave 110 per cent of his time to our busi- ness. He helped grow Bardon Sup- plies and, for that, we're grateful." Al Trent Heads for link5 years on the INTELLIGENCER PHOTO BY HENRY BURY Al Trent, centre, retired from Bardon Supplies Limited May 30 after a 28-year career there, 26 of those years as a travelling salesman. He was presented with a new set of golf clubs and golf bag and a retirement plaque by Bardon owners Donald and Sandra Raycroft.