Gleaner pensioners who were honoured by the newspaper at a special luncheon on Tuesday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. Oliver Clarke, the newspaper's chairman and managing director, told the pensioners that it was important to host the luncheon for them as they had played an invaluable role in the company. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Spirits were high on Tuesday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New King-ston, as the Gleaner Company honoured 25 of its pensioners for their invaluable contribution to the company.

The retirees, some of whom served the company for more than 30 years, were also given an opportunity to catch up with old friends.

Oliver Clarke, the newspaper's chairman and managing director, told the pensioners that it was important to host the luncheon for them, as they had played an invaluable role in the company.

"It is very important for the company to see you and maintain a sense of family as many of you have spent decades at the Gleaner Company making it what it is," said Mr. Clarke.

He updated pensioners on the company's many activities, and informed them that the company has continued its outreach programmes, which include Peace and Love in Society (PALS), Spelling Bee, among others.

The chairman also declared that The Gleaner needed to remain the highest quality newspaper in Jamaica, as the readers were demanding much higher quality content.

He said the latest all-media survey had shown that The Gleaner was maintaining the largest readership every day of the week.

Thanked company

Pensioner, Cosmo Grant, who delivered the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to The Gleaner for allowing them to serve the company for many years.

"In a time of our history when factors like conscientiousness, dedication, loyalty and integrity are no longer factors that are relevant to job acquisition, I want, on behalf of all the pensioners here, to thank The Gleaner for having allowed us to serve all these years," said Mr. Grant.

He added: "I would like to think that some of those factors were attributes which most of us could be proud of and I would like to thank The Gleaner for bringing us here today so we can remember the times that we had together."

Persons who performed well in their departments last year were also invited to the ceremony, as well as three pensioners from Sangster's Bookstore, a subsidiary of The Gleaner Company. This was the first time pensioners from both companies were being honoured at the same time.

Training officer at The Gleaner, Mary Dick, who was also the master of ceremonies at the luncheon, wished the pensioners "good health, pure wealth and happy , precious memories of the company".

Musical group, 'Sound of Joy', paid special tribute to the pensioners with songs, such as Memories, Coconut Woman and Brown Skin Gal.