A long-term Island Roads employee, Kenny Snudden, is receiving well-deserved praise and celebration after keeping the streets of Sandown’s town and coastline clear of litter for some 25 years.
Kenny, 63, is well known throughout Sandown and is a hero and local legend, loved by hundreds in the community.
He has been working as a street cleaner in the town for some 25 years, with the last 13 under Island Roads.
Residents and visitors across Sandown have described Kenny as a local icon, always happy to be out and about, and a kind, consistent face, whether you bump into him on the way to work or along the beach.
This week, Island Echo took a walk with Kenny through his scenic ‘office’ of Sandown High Street and seafront, where he revealed what’s kept him going through years of harsh winters and scorching summers.
Kenny said:
“I am happy to do it, I start at 5am every morning, Monday through Friday, going the same route through town and then down to the seafront on Fridays. Sometimes I sit at Pebbles café and have some lunch there, everyone knows me well, it’s nice, I’m famous.”
What many won’t know is that Kenny is a long-time heavy metal fan, telling us about his love for gigging with his mate.
He said:
“In my free time, I like to go gigging with my mate. We go to Download at Donington Park.
“I’m going again in June this year, really looking forward to Guns n’ Roses and Linkin Park, but I’d say my favourite band is between Iron Maiden and Metallica.”
Speaking on Kenny’s importance, his supervisor, Kevin, said:
“Staff are so difficult to come by these days and when you get a good one like Kenny, you really treat them well and look after them to keep them.
“I think he has a great rapport with the local community.”
Kenny noted:
“I have been stopped in the street and given Christmas cards before, its the love of the job that keeps me going and gets me up on the wet and cold winter mornings.”
Kenny, who was greeted by many during the course of the interview, explained how he enjoys chatting to people and making new friends as part of his job.
He said:
“If anyone here on holiday or from the local community gets stuck, just ask me for recommendations of places to go.”
As previously reported by Island Echo, the Isle of Wight Council, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, and Island Roads recently launched a partnership aiming to reduce roadworker abuse across the Island.
The aim is to urge members of the public to remember that employees are all members of the local community and are not at fault regarding road closures/works.
In the late 80’s Kenny could be seen with the biggest radio on his shoulder around Ventnor.Loves his music and his work and fully deserves recognition for going the extra mile.Well done Kenny and thank you.
Kenny does a great job, he wears more Health and Safety
than scaffolders.
Lol
Keep up the good work Kenny.
I’m not sure you can wear a regulation, it’s PPE.
Every town needs a kenny, any more out there that are unsung?
Keep up the great job you do Kenny
Keep it up Kenny. Your a legend. Hard to keep a worker ??, if you can get a contract..
Well done to Kenny. We need more like him.
I hope someone is going to put him up for a gong. Well done, Mr Snudden!