One of the city's great characters has retired after nearly 38 years with a historic Southampton employer. 

Michael Bichard, known to all as Butch, joined Ordnance Survey in 1986 and fulfilled various post, dispatch, deliveries, shipping and goods in roles over the years, both for OS and their contractors. 

He was a popular figure at the mapping agency's previous headquarters in Romsey Road and following their move to Adanac Park in 2010, a familiar face to all who provided a helping hand and a bit of banter. 

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60-year-old Butch, who lives in Portswood with his wife Sylvia, will continue his role as a match day steward for Southampton Football Club as well as taking on some work for Co-op and Hampshire Cricket. 

Daily Echo: Michael 'Butch' Bichard with his wife Sylvia

He said: "The best bit was meeting people and making friends. The job was good fun and I always tried to help people out. 

"Leaving there was a very emotional day for me and I miss the people already, but we'll still be in touch. 

"I enjoyed the job, that's why I stayed so long, but it was the people and the laughs which made it."

Butch says he will miss lunchtime laughs with pals Paul Sharp, James Winstanley, Rick Hunt, Darren Bailey, Eddie Bulpitt and Stefan Wells in the staff canteen, where he had been known to serve himself a rather generous portion of pie and chips. 

One of the highlights of his career was arranging a framed map for The Duke of Edinburgh who officially opened the OS headquarters.

Butch was presented with gifts including a generous Costa Coffee voucher, as he was well-known for always taking a coffee break if he went out to run errands, and a personalised map. 

Daily Echo: A picture from the archive displayed at Butch's Ordnance Survey leaving presentation

Ordnance Survey’s Facilities Lead, Mark Bricknell, said: “Butch is one of the great characters and one of the most familiar faces to those of us who have worked at Ordnance Survey over the last 38 years.

“He knew everyone in the office doing his daily rounds while organising deliveries and was always approachable and happy to take the time to talk to anyone.

“We wish him nothing but the best in retirement – he deserves it after such wonderful service for OS.”