Pontefract Castle job is keeper as Michael celebrates 30 years

Michael's passion for history as a schoolboy led him to apply for a summer weekend visitor assistant job at Pontefract Castle in July 1996.

He got the job and went on to work full time for Wakefield Museums and Castles.

Michael's knowledge of local and national history acquired over the decades has made him an invaluable member of the team.

He conducts tours of Pontefract Castle and dungeons with visitors from as far afield as America, Australia and Japan.

Michael, who has worked at museums and castles across Wakefield district, also helps people research their family history

When he started work at Pontefract Castle there was a small gift shop that took a few pounds a week.

Now the castle boasts a café, museum space and visitor centre, which hosts learning programmes for schools and interactive learning days.

Among Michael's favourite Pontefract Museum exhibitions is the Jack Hulme photograph collection, which featured daily life in Fryston, Castleford from the 1920s to 1950s.

Michael said: "I've always had a passion for history. It was my ideal job and I've stayed in that career for 30 years.

"I like dealing with people at the museums. It's nice to get the older people's memories about local history and reminisce with them. We are also getting a lot of families and younger people coming into the museum now."

Chris Williams, senior officer at Museums and Castles, said: "Michael is a vital part of the team. Everyone relies on his knowledge and experience."

Coun Lukasz Borcz, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport, said: “Michael has been a great asset to the council and the local community, as well as the thousands of people he will have helped and inspired over those 30 years.

“Our thanks and congratulations to Michael for reaching this impressive milestone.”