Barry McDonald meets 48-year-old kitchen porter Richard Ferguson, from Springburn, who was one of many in the restaurant trade working behind the scenes to ensure revellers had a Hogmanay to remember.

Barry McDonald meets 48-year-old kitchen porter Richard Ferguson, from Springburn, who was one of many in the restaurant trade working behind the scenes to ensure revellers had a Hogmanay to remember.

What does your job consist of?

I am a kitchen porter at Manna, which means I look after the cleaning of the kitchen, the washing and drying of crockery and cutlery.

I also assist the chefs with their duties and work as part of the bigger kitchen team. I also have the responsibility of managing the other kitchen porters and organising their work rota.

What is your best childhood Christmas memory?

When I was six and got a new bike.

What is your dream Christmas gift?

Probably the same as a lot of people winning the National Lottery!

Is this the first FESTIVE PERIOD you have worked?

No, I have worked at Manna, which used to be called Papingo, since 1989 and have worked most festive periods since then. In the hospitality industry we all tend to work over this time. It is just something that comes with the job.

What does it feel like to be working while everyone else is off?

After all these years I don't find it a problem. It is just something you get used to.

Why do you do it?

For exactly the same reason anyone works at this time of year - the money!

When do you get your time off and how do you spend it? Do you have an alternative Bells?

My time off varies every year, but when I am off I tend to go for long walks and, at the bells, I watch television.

I am a relatively good boy because I do not drink or smoke.

When you do celebrate, who will it be with it?

I do not really celebrate at this time of year for obvious reasons.

I prefer to spend time with my new wife, Irene.

What is the best thing about YOUR job?

At the moment, just having a job is great.

But it is probably the guys I work with. That and getting a gold watch from my boss after 21 years of service.

What Is the worst moment of the job?

Every Saturday at about 7pm, when all the pre-theatre customers have left at the same time. That and when my baby' (aka the dishwasher) breaks down and I have to call an engineer.

What was the best festive period to work?

The millennium, although I was a bit concerned about whether my PC would work due to talk about the bug that would hit computers.

Any New Year resolutions?

I do not believe in them.

Will you be doing the same next year?

I sure will.