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Janet Prior Southdowns Receptionist

Kevin Raine

Motorhome Technician

Interviewed in Spring 2015

Kevin re-joined Southdowns in September 2014, having spent six months working as an electrician. He is now pleased to be back and taking on a new role as part of the workshop team.

Q What made you want to come back to Southdowns in a different role?
A I spent six months working in the Southdowns shop in 2014 but I was always keen to join the workshop. There weren’t any vacancies and I needed to earn more money so I left and worked as an electrician for a few months. When I left the Army in 1999 I did a number of different jobs including plumbing, electrics and driving and then got the job at Southdowns. I got on well with everyone in the company - especially as there a few ex-services people working here so we all have something in common - and so I was really pleased when Mark Derbyshire (Southdowns’ parts and accessories manager) let me know there was a job vacancy.

Q What are your key responsibilities?
A At the moment I work on all the motorhomes, so I never know from one day to the next what I’ll be doing. I carry out habitation checks and damp proof testing, do UVIs, electrics and any other internal work that’s required and I’ve just learned how to change a radiator so I’m definitely on a learning curve.

Q What is the best thing about working for the company?
A I like the fact that I get to work on whatever motorhome comes in, so there’s plenty of variety in the work and there is a really good atmosphere in the workshop - plenty of banter and camaraderie with the others. I also like the fact that Southdowns is close to home so I don’t have far to travel - I can even cycle in the summer. There is no weekend working and no call-out rota.

Q Do you have a personal interest in motorhomes?
A I’m not really interested in owning a motorhome -I’m more of a boat person but the systems are very similar. I certainly wouldn’t buy one but I would be happy to borrow one for the weekend!

Q If you could take a motorhome anywhere in the world where would you go?
A If I got the chance I’d take a motorhome to France, do some touring and visit some of the WW1 and WW2 battlefields. I’ve done a lot of camping under canvas and spent a lot of time on campsites and caravan parks. I like it because it’s simple and you don’t have to worry about the problems of travelling with a large vehicle. Life is easier with a car and a tent!

Q Finally, what is your personal philosophy?
A Life gets me out of bed in the morning - I believe in living it to the full.

Kevin lives in Portsmouth with his family. On weekends he has a second job - as taxi driver for his teenage children!

Janet Prior Southdowns Receptionist