THE owner of a Bradford jewellery repair business who has retired after almost 50 years has been given a civic send-off after working on the Lord Mayor’s chains over the decades.

Myron Hunka, who ran his self-titled shop in the city for 49 years, was invited to a meeting with the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Martin Love, in the Mayor’s rooms at City Hall.

Mr Hunka attended the meeting alongside Peter Hollings, his friend and work colleague over the decades the business, which closed last month, was open.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Myron Hunka next to a Telegraph & Argus article on the firm's fundraising for the Bradford Burns Unit in 2009Myron Hunka next to a Telegraph & Argus article on the firm's fundraising for the Bradford Burns Unit in 2009

There was a further link with the Lord Mayor of Bradford as Mr Hunka had engraved and repaired the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress’ ceremonial chains each year since the mid-1980s. This work included engraving the new names of each year’s Lady Mayoress on their chains each civic year.

The Lord Mayor thanked Mr Hunka and Mr Hollings for their dedication and service in Bradford over the decades and repairing the civic chains over the years.

Mr Hunka said: “It was a lovely surprise to get the invite from the Lord Mayor.

“We have had lots of emails and messages to congratulate us and say may we enjoy our retirement. Some people have also said where will they go now for their jewellery.

“Retirement has been great so far.

“We have done repair work and made new links for the chains over the years.

 

“It feels really nice and relaxing to be here in the Mayor rooms and it was a pleasure to be there. We loved working in Bradford."

The Lord Mayor said: “It’s great to be able to invite them in. For any business to be operating in Bradford, or anywhere else, for that length of time is exceptional.

Thank you for all of their work over the decades and it was my pleasure to have them here

“The chains are marvellous. People always ask me about how heavy the Mayoral chains are. They aren’t that heavy, but you notice it when you take them off.”

Myron Hunka’s services included being commissioned to make jewellery items for customers, buying old gold and repairing watches and fitting batteries.

They initially rented a working space from Bradford jewellers Fattorini’s for five years in the 1970s and carried out work for them.

Myron Hunka moved to a workshop in Godwin Street where they stayed for 30 years, before moving to their final site on North Parade in 2007.