HMSOldies
The web site for ex employees of HMSO
Volume 1:
Information Circulars 2004-5
People
© Copyright HMSOldies 2004, 2005 including some Crown copyright material
HMSOldies comprises:
Reg Walker
riter and wine correspondent
Philip Marriage
inbetweener
Robert Stutely
webmaster and everything the others have overlooked
Dave Martin
social secretary
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Information Circulars 2004
15 July 2004
Even as Gordon Brown and John Prescott were having their much-reported
‘Loch Fyne Meeting’ there came together a similarly disparate group embracing
technology, art and the ability to find an excuse to get to the pub at all costs.
Yes, this was the day upon which Robert Stutely, Philip Marriage and Reg
Walker met in The Rushcutters, Thorpe St Andrew, to discuss the creation of a
website for ex HMSO personnel. Unfortunately no minutes of the meeting exist,
as the barman cleared away the beermat before it could be filed.
*****
14 September 2004
A group of ex HMSO designers [photo] spent a fascinating day at the Type
Museum, in Stockwell, south London. The museum holds collections of
traditional typecasting from Stephenson Blake, woodletter type from Robert
DeLittle, and ‘hot metal’ typecasting from the Monotype Corporation all
housed in a series of Victorian buildings once used as a veterinary hospital.
*****
4 October 2004
Initial page goes up on the web encouraging people to register.
15 October 2004 — From John Westwood
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HMSOldies would definitely interest me, if they chat on EMAIL. Do they have
that? Our little emailer does not get on to the Net easily, but I am used to
emailchat! There must be a wealth of interest there.
15 October 2004 — From Jim McDonald
Great idea I hope it’s a success.
15 October 2004 — From Derek Rutherford
Looking forward to hearing more.
16 October 2004 — From Stan Church
Good idea! Why not have a Forum area where various subjects can be
discussed?
17 October 2004 — From Adrian Young, (Canberra, Australia)
I worked with Philip, John Saville Dave Challis, John Westwood etc in London in
1970/71
18 October 2004 — From Michael Betts
I can offer a discount on beer to any HMSO oldie who may be interested! All I
need is full name, address, telephone and email in order to be enrolled as a
member of the Woodforde’s Club — and it’s FREE.
19 October 2004 — From Jennifer Hannaford
Can’t wait to read Progress again!
19 October 2005 — From Judy Tassell
Not sure that I like the idea of being an HMSO Oldie — more middle-agie really,
or young at heartie, nevertheless looking forward to receiving my IC’s.
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21 October 2004 — From Margery & John Elderton, France
Thank you for the information on HMSOldies, it should be fun especially now
that the winter is coming and we have more time to ‘play’ on the computer.
21 Oct 2004 — From Robin Kelly
I am still looking after all building matters at St Crispins. Recently completed
36 years service! I will contribute an article reliving my experiences in the
office.
22 October 2004 — From Sid Brooks (Pubns, Cornwall House)
Great. Great idea.
22 October 2004
A specially bound version of From Layout to Graphic Design: 50 years of
graphic design in Her Majesty’s Stationery Office was presented to Clare
Agate, Senior Librarian at the Heritage Centre, Norfolk and Norwich Millennium
Library.
October 2004 Social Diary
Seen on the streets, inns and cafés of Norwich during the month: Peter Taylor
(ex Accommodation Officer) still looking as if he could captain the local cricket
team; Ray Fox (Work Study); Geoff Dickinson (Office Services); Sheila Blowers,
Gill Johnson (both still with tSO); a fleeting glimpse of Albert During (Print
Sales); Arthur Brunwin (DDITW) on a visit to see John and Ann Eason and other
old friends, from his home in Portsmouth. He is still a regular visitor to Lord’s.
Other sightings include Harry Teedon (ex TUSGS), George James (IP), Ruth
Vivian (Welfare), Mike Taylor (PP and golf courses the world over), John
Brooker (PP and cricket grounds the world over) and Gordon Cooper (Supplies).
In London John Eveson and Dave Burchall are still with tSO (and Dave will be
pleased that Crystal Palace are gaining a place in the premiership. We won’t
mention Watford if Peter Mahoney — now print manager with Metropolitan
Police — is listening). Nick Ballard, Carol Piper, Phil Battle, John Moore, John
Davies — all ex HMSO — are buying print for Government departments in
London and Paula Ronald (ex Belfast) is supplying stationery in Dublin.
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Len Ellis, KJ Coleman, Phil Leach, Don Warman and Reg Walker were televised
while competing in their annual feat of physical exertion at the Norfolk
Pipesmoking Championship, Len finishing a worthy second. Steve Ward (tSO)
tells me that he has seen Bill Williamson on a visit from his home in Spain.
Other residents are Len and Ann Allen, David Poole and (part-time) Brian Ekers.
The Norwich Beer Festival brought out the usual socialites, many of whom had
better not be mentioned in case they clocked back in late at St Crispins. Mike
Betts, who co-directs Woodforde’s Brewery, would certainly not mind a
mention. Doug Chinnery found time to visit during half-term from his teaching
post Al Hynes was there, but Gerry Lucioli could not get time off from his job
at BUPA (must book in with him for a liver transplant). Alan Cole might be
slighted if it was suggested that he had missed this cultural event, so I won’t.
Up for an annual lunch were (in alphabetical order) John Balls, Paul Barnard,
Bob Barnard, Les Birch, Alan Cole, Dicky Dunn, Dave Forbes, Graham Heaford,
Paul Freeman, Clive Harrold, Eric Hendry, Mike Lynn, Peter Macdonald, Jim
McDonald, Ed McKendrick, Dick Moore, John Moore, Vic Morley, Alan Pawsey,
Chris Penn, Bill Porter, Derek Rutherford, Ken Rhodes, John Saville, Alex
Smith, Tony Smith, Chris Southgate, Reg Walker, Derek Wintle.
Unable to attend on the day were Gerry Aldus, Geoff Bedford, Sarah Cossey,
Brian Dixon, John Dole, Brian Ekers, George Furn, Ken Gooderham, Peter
Jefford, Doug Kerry, Brian Lee, Alex Mackie, Brian Minett, Gordon Parfitt,
David Pooley, Sam Rae, Don Ray, Mike Salt, Ken Sandford, Bernard Thimont,
Carol Tullo (who is currently Controller of HMSO, working from the Cabinet
Office and the HMSO premises in Colegate), Gavin Turner, Jim Turner (away on
a Caribbean cruise) and Jim Wretham.
The party to celebrate Brian Cockram’s 60th birthday attracted dozens from his
extended family and dozens more from his 30 years with HMSO (latterly with
the ‘Supply System Project’ which oversaw the computerisation of order
systems). Barbara and the Cockram children were there to keep him in control
and they even managed to get the microphone off him once or twice after he
had got everybody involved by organising a series of mass-participation events.
He managed very well, despite (because of?) lack of input from Consultants
(Peter Bennett, Linda Sharpe and John Norman, whose system are you
configuring now?).
Around the room were spotted an ex Director of HMSO Scotland, now living in
North Norfolk, Geoff Bedford. Since his time working in Belfast, Geoff had kept
in touch with Miss Phil Collins, who sadly died recently. Geoff and Josie
Lockwood are still heavily involved with the CSMA, and Geoff reported that
Tom Johnson still has an interest in Britannia Rescue. Pat Brent (currently with
Norwich City College), Pat and Geoff Sinden (Geoff is still a big jack in National
Bowls), Don and Shirley Shackshaft, Tony Smith, Don Warman, were in
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attendance, and seen near the bar were Geoff Mickleburgh, Maurice Curtis,
Rod Durkin, Reg Walker and their partners (in some cases their wives).
*****
4 November 2004 — From Fiona Gunning
I worked in the Belfast Regional Office from 1983 and 21 years later am still
here as General Manager for Banner. HMSO were based in IDB House in
Chichester Street. We as BBS moved out of IDB in 2001 to our own premises and
they have just pulled down IDB and the whole area is to be a major Shopping
Centre. I work with a couple of people who were with me at HMSO and we still
keep in touch with some ‘old’ colleagues from BS and Print.
8 Nov 2004 — From Eddie Gregory
I worked at the Parliamentary Press and would be interested in hearing how
every one is getting on.
8 November 2004 — From Bob Allder (Ex St Stephen’s & Parly Press)
I organise a Christmas Dinner at Clerkenwell for ex press staff. The website
would be very handy for publicising the event. Any ex-member of HMSO would
be most welcome. This year’s dinner is on 3 December 2004 at The Session’s
House Clerkenwell Green, London EC1.
11 November 2004 — From Jack Palmer (ex PP etc)
I retired 20 years ago and I have today received from Dave Forbes a copy of a
notice regarding HMSOldies, my first contact with the old firm since I retired
and I will be interested to know more. The circular mentions that you have a
quantity of SO Reviews and many probably contain cartoons. The main topics
relate to staff side and pay claims screwed down to one and a half percent. I
used various names ‘Pobo’, ‘Egbert’, ‘Jack the Ripper’ etc. If you are
interested I have several copies with the originals.
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29 November 2004 — From Paul Barnett
As one thrown form the tops of the HMSO roof to a baying pack holding
pitchforks and saying ‘Doom doom’, I would welcome the chance to read
anything that Mr Walker has to say.
Social Diary November 2004
You can run but you can’t hide . . . our trained band of Celebrity Spotters and
Paparazzi managed to spot the following famous faces, each of whom had
obviously failed the selection board for I’m an ex HMSO Employee, Get Me Out
Of Here during the month.
Just because you aren’t mentioned doesn’t mean you were not seen.
‘Mr **** was seen going into/coming out of/asleep in a Norwich Pub’ is hardly
news. Penny Poole (née Johnson, now working for Norwich Union) tells me that
her father Don Johnson (Computer Services Division, 1968) is doing well. Simon
Gibbons spotted skipping to work for Astron, and Ian Webb bowling his hoop
gleefully towards tSO. ERJ ‘Ernie’ Smith striding along Exchange Street (Estabs.
Payroll 1966; S4). A welcome lift in the rain from Mr and Mrs Bob Dwyer (PP for
what seems like eternity) and a sighting of Simon Back (OS) studying the
Sainsbury’s delicatessen counter. Good to hear from PP’s Jack Palmer (still in
Brundall — we must reproduce some of his SO Review cartoons soon). Paul
Cunningham is replicating his training role at the City College. Dave Martin is,
surprisingly, still allowed out without supervision and can often be seen still
wondering whether Laurie Andrew will ever give him signing rights in P5B. Bob
Laws was a ‘Computer Contractor’ in the days when such people were rarities,
and he is still around (and for all I know may still be a rarity). Granville Reed is
by no means a novelty — more an institution (he once told me I should be in
one). He is in the Welsh Quarter of Bowthorpe (in the Dai Bachstreets).
A rare visit to the country (Wymondham) spotted Dave Ruffles (ex ITW and
CCTA, but especially the Hort.Soc.) in his car and Hilary and Mike Lynn walking
too quickly towards the Farmers’ Market to be caught. At last, someone
spotted doing good works: Auriol Hughes (the conscience of PS for some of us)
selling Poppies in Thorpe (‘Excuse me, sir, would you be so kind as to support
the Remembrance Sunday appeal or shall I send the boys round to give you a
slap?’ Or did I mishear her? Unreserved apologies if so.) Tom Bokenham, Alan
Low, Jim Wilson, Shaun Cooper and his father Barry were all mentioned by
Steve Ward and Robin Kelly (both tSO) when I saw them in sociable
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circumstances. Who remembers Eric Porteous who, with his late wife Olive,
kept our buildings spick and span under the auspices of the cleaning contracts
organised by Ron Sims and the late Bob Courteen?
Renato Bernardin (Publications Nine Elms) seen around the city, as was Howard
Wheeldon (ex MOD, then an EO under Norman Parker (S4), finally resting in IT)
on the very day The Guardian published one of his letters. Sue Whitaker
(Labour Councillor; on the Hospital Board) has seen Annette Conn, Jill Ward,
Marion Maxwell, Sue Ticktum, Sue Johnson. Phil Storey looking well at 81. I am
sure he remembers more about appearing on the Dublin stage with Wilfrid
Brambell than he does buying print finishing equipment in Reprographic
Supplies.
An early application for information came from John Westwood, who joined
Graphic Design in 1960 and retired as Head in December 1978. Coincidentally,
his name also appeared in The Oldie (November 2004, page 53). Their ‘Anorak’
column could be summed up as ‘Confessions of a Meccano Enthusiast’ and
contained these words:
‘. . . two of those Meccano men, Dr Michael Adler (an Israeli orthopaedic
surgeon) and John Westwood (a British publishing designer) founded the
International Society of Meccanomen, involving enthusiasts in over 32
countries. As John Westwood, a Quaker, puts it, ‘It is hard to make war on
someone once you have shared the joys of invention with him.’
Thanks to Les Birch for spotting this item in deepest Caerphilly.
*****
8 December 2004 — From Michael Hailstone
Well done, good luck. Best regards
12 December 2004 — From Brian Lambirth
Good luck! Everyone knows Reg Walker, he even has a DIGITAL radio! Cheers!
18 December 2004 — From Dick & Stella Moore
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Looking forward to the launch. Best Wishes
December 2004 Social Diary
‘Twas Christmas Day in Cornwall House,
and the place was clean and tidy
The paperkeepers were eating their pancakes I’m a liar, that was Good Friday.
In the canteen a turkey was sizzling,
and to make it look posh I suppose
They fetched the warehouse barber in
to shingle its Parson’s Nose.
Potatoes were cooked in their jackets,
and carrots in socks- how unique!
A sheep’s head was baked with the eyes in,
as it had to see them through the week.
At one o’clock dinner up sounded;
the sight made an old P.O. blush
They were dishing out Guinness for nothing,
and fifteen got killed in the rush . . .
That’s enough of that — the ghost of Billy Bennett will be after me. He was one
of the few people not in Norwich for the pre- during- post-Christmas sales, and
I was another one (the pub over the road has a wonderful sale all year round,
so I do all my shopping there) so the following sightings do not include those in
the Boxing Day queue to get into Homebase.
In no particular order: Rod Chapman (ex PP) Brian Wilson (one-time DDS3) and
Neil Hacker (ex Audit) were spotted in (separate) shops, and David James (ex
Furniture) and Gerry Lucioli (ex PP) in the same licensed premises. Peter
Taylor tells me he had had a call from H.A.Barrie (ex E Accommodation) who,
at 91, is still in Strumpshaw. Others unable to hide were George and Jeanne
Lesurf, Tony Bishop, Debbie Matthews, Arthur and Kath Holland, Jack Keating,
Robin Kelly, John Marshall Jones, Bobby Nelson and Michelle Wright. Steve
Ward had seen JLE Bishop, and Roy Plackett had lunched with CH Hughes, Allan
Reid, and TG Smith. A call from Peter McAuley (ex HMSO Belfast Publications,
now Deputy Principal at Stormont) brought news of Moira Fitzpatrick, Roy
Dubois, Willie Smith and John Strachan. Dan Lavery is still running the tSO
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Bookshop, and ex-Director Vi Wilson wrote a note of her (as ever) busy year.
Margaret Crawley is also continually on the go, even to the extent of learning a
new language. Mary Eagles is still enjoying the country life.
The thirty-first anniversary of a traditional festive gathering saw printers Brian
Lambirth, Mike Taylor, Dick Smith, Roger Nash, Brian Ekers, Glyn Jones, Roy
Plackett, George James and Peter Bradbury in good form. Roughly the same
anniversary for what is often known as ‘The Skinners do’ (actually it’s now ‘The
Ship do’), and Mike Betts, Brian Puplett, Sue Whitaker, John Eason, Alan Cole,
Rod Durkin and Peter Macdonald made the day trip from Norwich to meet,
among others, Arthur Brunwin (ex DDITW, living in Portsmouth), John White (ex
OMRS), RG ‘Basil’ Radford (ex CRS, living in Basildon) and Alex McLeod (PP
London). Les Crawford and Ron George could not make it this year.
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Information Circulars 2005
4 January 2005 — From Brian Currie
Unable to get to events nowadays, but always delighted to hear news of you
all. Happy New Year!
January 2005 Social Diary
So who was found wandering the streets and byways during the month of failed
resolutions and the almost irresistible temptation to stay in and watch old
Ealing Comedies on the television? Among those who braved the outside world
were Barbara Crowley, Ernie White (who worked in the Sovereign House
warehouse in 1968) and his daughter Ruth (still working in St Crispins). Marie
Blake (one time Sovereign House telephonist, as was her mother Molly Burgess).
Rita Tuttle looking ageless. Pat Linehan and Derek Goddard looking fit.
Jayne Wilkinson surprised me with the news that, with the loss of a tSO
contract, she had been made redundant. Steve Ward, Gill Johnson, Sheila
Blowers and Robin Kelly still with tSO and Alan Low making sure the Royal Mail
gets through. Mike Lynn spotted in Wymondham (he had recently seen Vic Bell
and George Furn). Alan Justice retiring from Astron soon. Andrew Eeles still
with HMSO (Colegate). Sandra Perry, Peter Bradbury, Gerry Lucioli, Tony
Bishop (St Crispins security), Ken Gooderham, Musa Pinnock, Gary Turner all
spotted through the wrong side of a pub window. Brian Hayes (who worked in
Edinburgh and Manchester Print) is currently back in Norfolk.
So where was everyone else? Staying indoors, no doubt (see above) or taking a
few weeks out in South Africa/Spain etc. To fill up the space, then, there is a
picture competition. Who can name any of the 14 people shown in this
photograph? The only clue is that it was taken in London in 1964, and ten of
those shown worked for HMSO.
*****
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14 February 2005 — Funeral of Bob Carey
Sad to report the death of AW (Bob) Carey at the age of 83. He joined HMSO in
November 1946, and worked for most of his service in Establishments
Division/PS. The funeral was attended by Gordon and Jen Robbie, Connie
Burgess, Chris Penn, Ruth Vivian, Tom Robinson, Dee Smallridge, Harry and
Lucin Jackson, Bob and Valerie Barnard, Roy and Muriel Keavney, Sue and
Ronnie Lea, Harry and Dorothy Teedon, John and Anne Eason and many old
friends.
February 2005 — Social Diary
Recent visitors to South Africa, including Peter Macdonald, Alan Cole, Isobel
Williamson report Norma Groom (ex Basildon) and her husband, who moved to
Cape Town several years ago, are in good form. Brian Ekers still commutes
between Spain (for the rain) and England (for the rugby). A sighting of Chris
Fuller (one time Supplies Office Machinery; retired from CCTA). Liz Stokes
(currently with Astron) with her newly-born son Liam; Charlie Newcombe (ex
PP and IPCS committee) striding down Chapel Field Road and Geoff Sentinella
(Laboratory) sheltering from the snowstorm. And was that Mrs FB Clark (who
worked in Supplies during the early years of Dispersal to Norwich) walking down
Dereham Road? Larry Lewendon (Audit, E&E) was not walking but sitting in
Norwich Station, doubtless cursing the cancellation of the 0900 hours to London
(too little snow on the line). Word comes over the wires from Denis Moloney
who, against all expectations, is making an excellent living as a wide-boy
(sorry, senior sales executive).
Interesting article in EDP about Major David Back, weapons expert and lifetime
soldier, concluding with the words ‘there cannot be a finer example of a true
English gentleman, nor a more modest one’. He is the father of Simon Back,
who retired from Office Services more than ten years ago. Clover Moore (widow
of Alex, late of Marketing) on an extended visit from her home on the Greek
island of Thassos.
*****
4 March 2005 — Launch Day
In years to come, how will 4 March be remembered? The birthday of those
media stars Patrick Moore, Chris Rea and Patsy Kensit? The day on which the
Kray twins were found guilty of the McVitie murder (1969) or the day Charlie
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Chaplin was knighted (1975)? The day on which EM Forster set out on his
passage to India (1921)? No. It will go down in history as the day on which the
HMSOldies website was launched, at 0835 hours. If you are late, the signing on
sheets will be in the HEO’s room with only red ink available.
4 March 2005 — Derek James column in the Eastern Evening News
FROM BUILDING SITE TO WEBSITE
This [photo] was the scene in Norwich almost 40 years ago when this ancient
part of the city was changing shape to meet the demands of the 20th century.
The demolition men had moved in to pull down great chunks of the historic
Stump Cross area — and Anglia Square was on its way. A major part of that
development was the premises of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO). And
this was the way the site looked in November 1966 when the ground in Botolph
Street had been cleared to build Sovereign House as the HMSO headquarters in
Norwich.
This large office went on to play a major role in Norwich life — employing
around 3,000 people at one time — for nearly 30 years before it was privatised
in 1996. It had been established as a Government department way back in 1786
to procure stationery ‘with economy efficiency and the curbing of private
gain’. It was originally staffed with 15 men, two women, two horses — not
forgetting a cart. When its headquarters moved to Norwich, starting with an
advance party in 1967, there were more than 7,000 staff across the country.
Over the 210 years of its existence, more than 100,000 people have been
employed by the organisation, many of them in recent times living in Norfolk.
Why am I telling you all this? Because there is now a website where exemployees, contractors, suppliers and customers, from anywhere in the UK and
overseas, can keep in touch with old friends and colleagues and indulge
themselves in the harmless occupation of reminiscence.
‘There is no charge and all contributions will be welcome,’ said Reg Walker; of
Norwich, who is the editor of HMSOldies.
An Evening News photograph of the office helped to inspire former workers to
set up their own site. The website went live at 8.35am this morning — in
memory of the historic ‘signing on time’ at HMSO. All you have to do is log on
to www.HMSOldies.co.uk and all will be revealed.
© Archant Ltd Eastern Counties Newspapers
4 March 2005 — It’s here (or do I mean it’s over?)
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So launch day has been and gone with good publicity in the Eastern Daily Press
and Norwich Evening News, plus a welcome pile of complimentary Emails. But
where are the criticisms, nit-picks and insults? Has the electricity gone down
where Brian Lee lives? Has Gordon Robbie ‘forgotten’ that it’s his turn to put a
shilling in the meter again? Has Peter Macdonald lost the Post-it note Karen
Sullivan gave him, telling him how to switch on his computer? If that doesn’t
provoke them, nothing will. And, just to let you know, not everything you think
is written by a certain person is actually written by that certain person, if you
know what I mean. Those of us who had to produce ‘drafts for senior
management’ know exactly what I mean.
Anyway, back to those Emails, some of which have been summarised to protect
the guilty. Editorial responses, where printable, are in italics, a sloping type
introduced by Aldus Manutius of Venice c.1500. Did I ever tell you about the
time that I was a Printer?
First off the blocks, all the way from the Bypass Protest Picket in Long
Stratton, was AD (Dave) Martin, who struggled in just before the red pen
appeared. Typically, he asked an awkward question before the Senior
Paperkeeper had even got the kettle on: ‘Are we ex HMSO or former HMSO?
When Nixon was impeached in the USA, they considered an ex President as
being sacked, and a former President having had an honourable discharge.’ So
we’ll stick with ex then.
Paula Ronald wrote from Dublin (wipes away tear and reaches for stout friend)
where she is doing well, working for a stationery company. Her husband Mike
(one time Edinburgh Warehouse management) has won a work prize which will
take them off to Puerto Rico (West Indies) for a holiday. She signs off with the
name she had when she joined IDB House, Paula Love (HMSO 1984-1997). Stan
Church (BS) copied his kind note to John Wilson, Terry Bligh, Ian Hatfield and
Harry Currie to urge them to contribute, and we had better not take the eye
off the Design ball as both Ken Arnoldi and John Saville are on the case. And
Jack Palmer (PP, Tech, SO Review cartoonist) passed on the information that
he has sold his boat at laSt You can stop saving now, Brian.
Time for an unedited quote, from Paul Radbourne. If I change any of it, I will
be hauled up in front of the Board for discrimination against residents of
Cromer or somesuch. Anyway, he writes:
‘So far it seems mostly the more senior people who are contributing (well, who
else has plenty of time on their hands?) so I thought you would appreciate
something from someone who actually did some real work! (funny, up until
then I thought I remembered him). I started with HMSO in 1988 as an ‘umble
AA working with Hilary Goreham in Supply. The same year I became an AO,
with the tremendous responsibility for ordering rubber stamps! I stayed after
privatisation, joining the procurement team as specials buyer, but decided in
late 1999/early 2000 that perhaps life in the private stationery industry was
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not for me, so I left and I am now research manager for British Industry
magazine (and also now a qualified Doctor of Zoology since 2002). Ron Harper
(ex PP) works alongside me. Plus I also see you occasionally at the traffic lights
on Tombland. Kind regards, Dr. Paul FMC Radbourne M.A., F.R.Z.S.
Dear Paul. Thank you for your kind note. I remember the first time you spoke
to me. I was about to make some sort of presentation to a
retiring/sacked/pregnant/lottery winner in S4, proudly wearing a new (to
Oxfam) Marks and Spencer suit. ‘Here he comes’ you said ‘in his Management
suit: big checks for the guv’nors; small cheques for the workers!’ Took me ages
to get you out but I managed it. I knew you would do well, but I’m genuinely
impressed at how well you did. When I see you in Tombland with a bundle of
newspapers I assume that you are just delivering, then sitting in The Close
with a quart of White Lightning (sorry, that’s just me). I will tell Alan Cole,
who I am sure will be pleased to hear of your advancement as a result of his
benign management training. And yes, we all continue to take the credit for
the work of others, long after ‘retirement.’ All the best to you, and to Ron.
The shy and retiring Marion Maxwell contributes: ‘Congratulations to all . . . do
you take advertising, as I could offer free IT courses to the Oldies, giving them
something to do in their retirement!’ and yes, I checked four times, she really
does say FREE. ‘Seriously, I am hosting a meeting of the PCS retired members’
association here at St Andrews in Norwich (opposite Churchills Tobacconist,
just down from Delaney’s Bar. Well, how else do you give directions?) on
Monday, ably run by the veritable Vince Fitzgibbon. Would you like a photo?
(Yes please, Marion. And one of Vince as well, if we have to).
I don’t know Rick Edwards well enough to insult him, but I’m sure that could
change given the doubtful company he used to keep. I quote: ‘I joined HMSO in
July 1979, in PP Atlantic House, as a CA working for Trevor Priddle and Eddie
Sargeant. In 1980 I went to Hansard Press as a CO, moving to the Publications
Centre as a Programmer six years later, and moved to Norwich with tSO in April
1999.’ Talking of printers, another current tSO employee John Eveson
(currently doing things the Mandela Way) says ‘I have some old SSPP photos to
give to Robert in the next few weeks. There is also one of a group of fine old
(can’t make out this next word) at Harrow, including Ken Jagelman (who I see
was born in 1922. Does anyone have any news of him for John?), Martin Grant,
Trevor Priddle, and a very hairy me.’
Andy Taylor joined HMSO Norwich in 1975, and did well to survive in Office
Machinery. It must have been hell trying to get an opinion out of those
shrinking violets Burgis, Whitaker . . . sorry. He writes: ‘Glad to see you’ve got
the site up and running . . . although there are one or two Oldies on the
Friends Reunited site it’s great to have one that you don’t have to pay a
subscription to — or will you be releasing the bad news on subscriptions later?
(over my dead body- if you get paid, you have to take responsibility, and I
don’t want to start at my time of life). After spending a couple of years with a
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local housing association, I am currently working for Plastic Building Supplies,
near Norwich Airport. I keep bumping into Brian Puplett of DD Health and
Safety Supplies (either on his way to the golf course or another booking as a
Prince Andrew decoy?) and occasionally see Mike Betts but only if I get the
chance to drink in the Fur and Feather. Good luck . . . I will forward a few
photos . . . regards to everyone that knew me.’
So that’s about it for day one. Those of you thinking that this looks like a
Norwich-based self-indulgence among a group of people who know each other
too well now have the ideal opportunity to correct this. How about some
articles about the early days of Gateshead Press? RB6? OMRS mechanic,
Salisbury Plain? BIS (New York)? HMSO Cairo (or was that just CW Blundell?).
Anyway, there’s news from further afield coming up . . .
5 March 2005 — Eastern Daily Press article by Cat Bartman
HMSO WORKERS CAN NOW REUNITE ONLINE
If you want to find out what that person you fancied in school is up to now, you
usually just tap away on Friends Reunited. But what about if you worked at one
particular office block in Norwich? Now everyone and anyone who was involved
with Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO) in the city will be able to log on
and track down their long-lost friends and colleagues, whether they were
employees, contractors, suppliers or customers.
The government department was established in 1786 to procure stationery
‘with economy, efficiency and the curbing of private gain’ and was originally
staffed with 15 men, two women, two horses and a cart. When its headquarters
moved from London to Norwich in 1968, there were more than 7000 staff
nationwide. The ground around Botolph Street was cleared to build the now
disused Sovereign House as the HMSO headquarters.
During the 210 years of its existence, more than 100,000 people were employed
by the organisation, which was privatised, in 1996, with up to 3000 of them in
Norwich at one point. Around 540 staff opted for early retirement or voluntary
redundancy in a reorganisation of the firm before privatisation. The website —
www.HMSOldies.co.uk — contains information about what people are doing and
where they are, as well as old articles from the circulars, and photographs.
Reg Walker, the website editor, who was director of customer care when he
took redundancy in 1996, said: ‘Before we were privatised, we used to have an
information circular which told everyone about who was getting married; who
was leaving the department, and someone said, ‘Why don’t we do this on the
web?’
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‘We mulled it over and there seemed to be a lot of local interest It’s like a
Friends Reunited for an office block.
‘It’s just passing on information. When you get into your 5Os or 60s, you
wonder what happened to people. Most of us are retired and it’s a means of
passing on information and reminiscing.
‘It will appeal to people not only from Norwich but around the country,’ said
58-year-old Mr Walker, from Norwich, one of about 1000 people who moved up
from London. ‘I would never have met my wife, if I hadn’t moved up here. A
lot of us didn’t know anything about Norfolk. We found what a lovely place it
was to live in. It was a lovely place to work, very friendly. Almost nobody
moved back to London.
‘There are still people who work in the privatised part of it who are interested
in what it was like in the beginning,’ he added.
In 1966, staff were even given the chance to vote on where the headquarters
should move to, with Norwich beating off competition from Swindon and
Basingstoke.
© Archant Ltd, Eastern Counties Newspapers
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March 2005 — Diary
What’s this? Weekend overtime? Surely this is only authorised for annual
stocktaking (‘I’ve got Orsman Road. Oh bliss!’) or when somebody up the line
had really got it in the neck from HM Treasury? No, it seems to be ‘Smothering
Sunday’ (that’s what my 1986 HMSO pocket diary says: (you remember the 1986
— the one with 16 March twice?) so I am hiding from the washing-up. If I ever
find out who it is that does all that cooking I’ll have them out of this house as
quickly as Brian Ekers out of a Quality Council. But for now, more Dispatches.
Back from the Front:
First off the blocks, and especially to spike the guns of the ‘it’s all for you lot
up Norwich’ brigade, the shouts of ‘Letsby Avenue’ seem to have reached the
Hermitages of France, John Elderton and Margery Kraszewski send warm
regards. If I were to say that, when I was in Supplies, John gave me infinite
challenges as S13c, and Margery gave me infinite points in our lunchtime game
of HMSO Surname Scrabble, you would say that I was far too emotional to
continue this Sunday overtime and should report to E. on Monday morning.
Shan’t. I get my pension from some ninth-hand sell-on from the Paymaster
General’s Office, so it could take twenty years to get me sacked from this job.
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Sorry, John and Margery. How dare I use your space for all this rubbish. Start
again. If I can find the delete you won’t even know. No wonder you went to
France.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch. Margery was kind enough to say that ‘John and I
just spent a nostalgic time going through the pictures and other memorabilia —
so many names that took us back in time. We have just celebrated our tenth
anniversary of living in France, and we have enjoyed every minute of it . . . we
recently saw a letter in French News from one Roy Arscott.’ (the same Musical
Mundesley Roy Arscott, who joined HMSO in 1970 and spent time in Basildon, PS
Training and Pubns? — Enough clues?) ‘We are going to Australia soon to visit
our families in Perth and Sydney . . . and return at the end of April . . . thank
you again.’
John Flynn (another Supplies survivor) writes from Norwich ‘. . . what a good
idea and a good website . . . ran into Phil Storey a few days ago (Phil was in
Supplies for years around the ‘60s-’70s and still rushes around in his braces and
his ‘80s). We are off to Kentucky shortly and will contribute when I return’.
Talking of Supplies, Frank Lynch was there (you remember him — mean,
moody, and something else beginning with M. Miserable, that was it. If the tea
trolley ran out of lemon, they got him round to frown at the milk), and then
there was that beautiful, young, free ray of sunshine among the clouds of
F4c2ac(t/ac), Rosemary Lynch (surely they are not related?). They sent kind
words and sightings of Muriel and Roy Keavney in Lanzarote Airport in January
(surely Robin Kelly could have found them a Security job nearer home?). The
last time I saw their daughter, Samantha Lynch — now Watson, her husband,
being the Holmes to her — oh good grief I can’t find my way out of this. Come
on Ian, you’re 35 now. Surely you can come up with a punchline. Just think of
Durkin. (Enough to make you want to punch anything.)
Back to sanity. David Roberts (mainly Supplies in the 1960s/70s but a long and
varied career) promised to send news of the site to former colleagues abroad.
He also sent in the most wonderful reminiscence of his work with HMSO in the
late 40s-early 50s. When we print it, everyone is in for a real treat. He paints a
picture of Post War HMSO to which we can all add our own colours. Lovely.
Enough of being nice. Who can I have a go at? Eric Bone (my 1968 Staff List
squeezes him between Noel Warr and Stan Thompson — they were all boys from
CS in those pre-decimal days) comes unbidden to front of tabs. His first email
was courteous and just testing the ground. Old pro that he is, he waited for my
rejoinder, and blasted me with a series of seriously libellous ideas (all of which
will be taken up, even if we have to go to a Dutch ISP, for sure). The
‘HMSOldies List of the Shortest Books In the World’ (eg ‘The Peter Macdonald
Guide to Giving Up.’ Karen! Where are my fags? Karen!’ (Sorry, I made that up.
Eric’s were much worse). Seriously, though — and one I like personally — is
‘Affectionate Obits’ (Memories of the lamented departed). Robust souls such as
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Joe Delaney, Stan Smith might be candidates (among many HMSO-wide) but we
need to be aware of sensibilities.
So who does that leave us? Dave Crump sent a lovely message. Memories of his
double-act with the late SA (Digger) Dungate on the Fat Training Course (well,
it made me fat) then a name from years ago — John Morgan who was very
complimentary and added ‘it was SO Review 1979-82 that started me out on
what has since passed for a . . .journalistic career . . .(John was in various
locations from Pubns through Supply to Training 1975-82, and sometime Staff
Side DGS. Now hiding in Cromer).
Malcolm Dunsdon (E&E Norwich; Edinburgh; Supply Machinery; PMA2A, P&T
Bookshop replacing Gerry Gold (who, incidentally, was born in 1918. Now that
was a job). Currently with Norwich Union as UK Health and Safety Manager,
and still has to visit St Crispins occasionally (if my spare teeth are still on fifth
floor, trap two . . .). Nice reunion to coincide with the birthday of Bill Scott
(forget the teeth — Bill will have pawned them to buy a round). Good to see
John Wild, Olive Monton, Keith Smith, and the ever-young John Galley.
Malcolm’s current NU colleagues include Ann Clancy, Sheila Crowe, Pauline
Kirkpatrick, Penny Poole, and others who have paid to remain anonymous.
Connie Burgess (with whom she worked in PS with her late husband Don) is still
involved with the local Women’s Institute, and gets all her Glad-to-be-Gonners
news from John and Ann Eason. Come on, we can do better than that for her.
Who wants stories based around Mansfield FC, Milwall, and the fact we can’t
get a decent pie for lunch? Alright, it’s John. And me. Without Manswall and
Milfield or who?
Marguerite Finn has given me more pleasure standing up fully dressed than any
cultured Irish person would ever admit, and has ‘LOADS of HMSO photos, all of
which she will send me, and most of which could embarrass plenty of you.
Blackmail is a dirty word. Let’s call it Soap. That’s a clean word. Sorry, it’s
getting late. Last one coming up.
Advertising. Thorny chap that. Do we or don’t we. My opinion (and I see nobody
looking over my shoulder) is that if somebody is doing it for a decent cause,
and I don’t personally despise the ground on which they sashay, then why not?
So Ivor R Hosgood (PP, Music etc) is first under the net as follows, mainly
because he is a decent soul, the cause is good, and he wrote a literate note
with which I didn’t have to mess about. Viz.:
I’ll take you where the music’s playing.
The book will be launched with a Champagne party at my home on Sunday 10
July at noon. Copies will also be available by poSt Its 256 page content is a mix
of autobiography and essay and includes contributions from the Poet Laureate,
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four more poets, and three Churchmen. All have East Anglian connections. The
East Anglian poems from the estate of John Betjeman are also included. There
is also an 80 minute compact disc containing some of my favourite music.
Production costs have been generously donated by Xerox (UK) Ltd. and all
proceeds from the sale will be donated to The Norfolk Youth Music Trust — a
registered charity with origins going back to 1977. The cost is £10.95 (only
£9.95 for all orders placed on or before 10 July 2005) plus packing and postage
where applicable. Please contact: Ivor R Hosgood, The Norfolk Youth Music
Trust, Wahnfried, 4 Church Close, Buxton, Norwich, NR10 5ER. Tel/Fax 01603
279742.
Thought for the Day: Brevity is the soul of wit.
7-9 March 2005 — Diary
First of all, just because my name is on the site, it doesn’t mean that the
credit for its creation is mine. It isn’t. Honours go to Robert Stutely and Philip
Marriage. As usual I came along late, didn’t put into the kitty but went home
with the raffle prize.
One of our technical experts, although delighted with offers of pictures, has
asked me to say that if people want to provide good scans on CD rather than
releasing their valuable original photographs, then this saves ages over sending
them as Email attachments and downloading them. I am told that a good
standard is 300dpi, with each picture 9 inches wide or 9 inches deep. Don’t let
that put you off copying pictures to me in the usual way if that is all you have
at your disposal. Personally, the only thing I have tried to copy to CD is
Ellington at Newport 1956. The result was more like a famous work by John
Cage.
We mentioned the sad loss of Bob Carey on 14 February. Bob’s grandson,
Stuart, has written to ask us ‘to please pass on our thanks to all those who sent
messages of condolence and those who attended the funeral on 14 February.’
This week I had the great pleasure of entering St Crispins (a pleasure I ration —
there is more noise in the Co-op funeral parlour, and I find it unnerving
compared with the old days when Tony Smith, Stan Smith and Dick Smith
(among many other Smiths) could be heard crooning softly into their
stenographs. Anyway, Robin Kelly presented me with the original Sovereign
Staff Club Visitors’ Book for 1973. The names bring back some memories. More
of this later. Can I tempt you with CH ‘Frankie’ Day?
I will continue to include the names of people who write in (after all, that’s
what it’s all about) but in an effort to get the entries down quickly, I will
summarise. Vic Kefford is a name from the past Although he started in Atlantic
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House in 1966, he went to CSD in 1972. He remembers many of the HMSO
cricketers we pictured, and supplied a photo.
I received a lovely note from somebody I have never met. Angie Rennie, of
Norwich, wrote to say that her mother used to live at 152 St George’s Street,
and our photo of the Sovereign House site brought back many happy memories.
I know that Stan Smithson, one of the early messengers, used to live in what
became the MS2/1 and MS2/2 room on the first floor. Sometimes we would
wake up in the afternoon and swore his old mum was rattling the dolly against
the copper. Or was that Frank Payne trying to get us to work? Christine
Hawthorn (still with tSO) was enthusiastic, as were Peter McAuley (ex Pubns
Belfast, now doing well in DHSS (NI). And Maureen Wickham, who I first
remember in Cornwall House Registry in 1963 (alas, she didn’t know I was there
in ITW1c, and only had eyes for the urbane Bill Wickham of the prestigious A4d
section. Bill finished his office life in CCTA and Maureen in MOD. They have
lived in Buxton, Norfolk, for many years. Chris Ladbrooke still works in Banner
(Office2Office they want me to call it now. What next — Lymeswold?) with
Julian Favell, Jason Groves, Karen Nash (what news of father-in-law John Nash,
the man with Isle of Wight engraved on his bunion?). Chris recalls happy days in
The Golden Star (why does no-one recall happy days in Quality Council?) and
tells me that Jane Helgerson is working in NCC Library and Jeremy Goodchild is
back from Argentina (grief, even I didn’t know that the Director of Business
Supplies had the authority to deport). A nice picture from Duncan Dawdry (also
still with Lymeswold — sorry o2o) which will cause some head-scratching. We
might even use it as a game of Pelmanism — match the pairs (it’s a BS Sales
Conference, so could be any number of combinations). Jo Flint stopped
handling our sick records in 1995 and now contents herself with cruises. If we
had all been sent on cruises, we might not have been sick so often. Another
professional websiter (and philatelist, along with Larry Lewendon and Chris
Southgate) wrote in — Ian Billings. I think I may have been overtired (George
Brown, 1965) when I replied to Jill Speed of the PC. Something about Nine Elms
Lane makes me all wobbly. Sorry. Thanks. John Hopping also sent me rushing
for the tablets (nothing to do with his role in CPSA) when he mentioned
Maurice Patrick Shipp Epstein. Paddy to his victims (as he liked to call them on
Pay Duty, Atlantic House. He is 90 this year, I hope. John also intrigued by
saying that a book entitled Random Abstract Memories contains a chapter
about HMSO and various staff. It is by Hattie Hayridge, comedian who also
played the part of Holly in the TV programme Red Dwarf. She was Carol
Bayford when she worked with HMSO.
Ron Sims was always Ron Sims, as his wife Iris and daughter Hilary Goreham
would atteSt He has just had Papworth heart surgery, but is a tough old stick
and will be about to keep me minding my manners for years to come. Malcolm
Jones (Bristol) and Joy Kinsley (Finance) have made contact, and Paul
Radbourne has been back to say that his old Supply colleagues Trevor New and
Dave Jones are working in a poultry firm and a Diss florist’s respectively. I hope
its OK to say this, and they are not under a Witness protection programme
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following the great Tea Trolley Scandal of 1993 . . . Julia Martin worked in
Supplies Machinery Maintenance once. She became a Quality Manager and left
during the reign of Tactica. Jane Henderson (o2o Quality Manager) told her
about the site, and she writes to say how she is enjoying her job working for
Meltemi Clothing, Bowthorpe. She keeps contact with Ann Eason. Also a note
from Michelle Favell (nee Coman) who mentions various people she worked
with in a favourable light, not least Isobel Williamson and, incredibly, Denis
Moloney. Can’t wait to tell his boss at Neopost — that’ll destroy his hard-man
credibility. She and her husband Julian (working with o2o) have a six year old
son. Finally, a compliment from Fred Stubbs (GD). I like it when a GD/IT
professional says something good. When I was ‘working’ it was always followed
by the word ‘but’.
11 March 2005 — Peter Matthews
We are sad to report that Peter Matthews died at the Norfolk and Norwich
University Hospital on Friday 4 March 2005. He was 57, and joined HMSO in
February 1969. He worked in Print Procurement. There is a Service of
Thanksgiving at Trinity Church, Thorpe Marriott on Friday 18 March at 2.15
p.m. All are welcome.
10-12 March 2005 — Diary
And still they come. I don’t pretend to understand these analytical websites
which log how many pages have been ‘hit’ over the past week (sounds more
Sopranos than Software) but the site we use claims that there have been 8083.
A proportion of accessees (alright, so why can’t I make up words? Everybody
else seems to. ‘I texted him a message’ Did you ever hear such slovenly talk?
Whatever would Mrs Rust have said?) seems to have only accessed one single
page, which suggests one or more of three things: (a) people logged on by
mistake — possibly looking for a pornographic site allied to a different sort of
Oldie; (b) they had a quick look and thought that the ‘Welcome’ page was too
trivial for them to look further (goodbye Ken; goodbye Brian); or (c) they were
not paying attention when their five year old grandson told them how to use
the computer (‘damned nonsense gadget-overblown adding machine — only got
it so your grandmother could use it to play patience’) and think that the first
page is the only page. That’s alright then — I’ve turned off most of the
audience now, so it doesn’t matter what follows. Just like the old Monthly
Reports.
In no particular order, I have had another note from Fred Stubbs (GD) who
writes ‘along with John Rumball and Duncan McEwan and others, I am a
member of the John Jarrold Printing Museum. We have just announced a web
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page ‘http://www.johnjarroldprintingmuseum.org.uk/’ which is a link with
HMSO, as one of HMSO’s Linotype machines is on display and many books have
been donated by HMSO.’ Michelle Favell (Isobel is pleased you still have the
duck) writes again to remind us of the differences between our old Public
Service grind and the land of milk and honey which embraces the lives of
Astron/tSO/o2o/Lymeswold workers ‘Last year I was lucky enough to
accompany my husband Julian to Dubai, along with various other employees
who won their places . . . I have deleted the names to protect the ecstatically
happy. I once won a place to spend a month in Park Royal warehouse, and if it
wasn’t for a kindly old cleaner who let me out and gave me the tube fare
home, I would be there yet. God bless you, Tom Kingsley.
Another repeat correspondent (just how much do I have to insult them before
they lay off?) Ian Billings puts me to shame — an easy target, I know — with his
two websites and his determination to continue working post-HMSO . . . ‘some
weeks as a relief postman in the village, followed by a six month contract at
Shipdham Post Office delivering by van to outlying farms and villages etc.’(This
is a local postal service for local people. We’ll have no trouble here). ‘After
that I had some intermittent delivery work for an agricultural oil depot in
Dereham, delivering as far away as south of Ipswich to Wisbech and Spalding.
Then, when Tesco started delivery from Dereham, I did 21 hours a week
delivering to single mothers in Sheringham, pensioners in Wells, and plutocrats
in big houses all over the area in between; also to shift workers and
holidaymakers who were trying to find their cottages at the same time as I
was. Oh, the fun! . . . in the end I got fed up with bad management and left.’
So, Jim, there is useful life beyond Management Accountancy, but not as we
know it. By the way, Eric Bone’s HMSO’s Shortest Books’ idea is taking
momentum, I’m afraid, but nothing publishable yet. Who do you think I am —
Kenneth Tynan? Speaking of which — and this has just occurred to me — did you
see that article in the paper recently where Ash Attallah (comedy scriptwriter,
The Office etc) casually asked his readers to meet him in a certain Pizza
Express in London. Loads turned up. Should we do that? Any ideas of location?
My first choice is Café en Seine, Dawson Street, Dublin. Despite the name, it’s
a real Dublin pub and big enough to take — oh, 250 of us? So both of us, you
and me dear reader, should have no trouble getting in. But I digress.
John Fox took the trouble to write to me on his 51st birthday. He worked in PP
(MOD section) and is at present Commodity Buyer for Jaguar/Land Rover. John
Grundy ‘started in Publications in February 1993 as part of John Smith’s sales
force, leaving tSO in August 1998 . . . a colleague at the time was Mike
Chevins, Bookshop Co-ordinator, and I currently work with him again at
Shropdoc Out-of-Hours Medical Company in Shrewsbury.’ Geoff Woods also
worked in Pubns, in the Controller’s Library in Norwich. He is now devoting his
time to stained glass work (the occasional owl motif, perhaps?) but life has not
been all tinted frames: he is just back from a cruise in the West Indies. My
dear, the heat! The steel drums! The lack of decent beer! Only one Macdonalds
to choose from! All that rum, fish, cigars, erotic dancing. Glad to be back, I
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can tell you. Sorry, Geoff. I don’t get out much. John Hopping is back again
with his reminiscences of Pubns names (are ex-Pubns people the only ones with
computers/electricity/time to spare?). Hats off for P9, Cornwall House. George
Finch, Dennis Smith, Jack Daly DFC, DFM, Will Halloran, Brian Minett, Bill
Stowe. And another Cornwall House hand, Les Crawford (from Mech, to
Manager, OMTS) says hello. Hello Les, the only surviving M/OMTS. Got any
WD40 and Swarfega to swap for a ream of copy paper and box of biros?
Away from the London-Norwich corridor, praise be, with a note from Malcolm
Jones (‘Bristol . . . outstaying Malcolm McNeill, Sandy McCabe, and probably
my welcome as well. Before that I had been ten years in Norwich after joining
at Harrow Press and moving to Atlantic House in preparation for dispersal.’ And
finally — a welcome note from a current St Crispins employee who I remember
from golden times in that building. I will respect his anonymity, but Anthony
(not his real name), you know who you are. And I will pay top rate for Certain
Photographs which I know to be in your possession. Why should Richard
Desmond have all the good stuff?
And, to what I am sure must be intense relief to all who worked with him, John
Cripps (world class athlete first, Accountant second) reports that he is ‘just as
good-looking and modest as ever.’ Phew.
Note to Webmaster: with all the padding, I make it just over 1000 words. Can I
go home now?
13-26 March 2005 — Diary
We cover the Waterfront. At least, the waterfront from Melton to Melbourne,
from North Walsham to North Wales. So much easier than sending a letter
(especially now they have shut half of the Post Offices. Grumpy old men?
Grumpy old women? They ain’t seen nothing yet).
First of all, sad news I’m afraid. Over the years, many of us dealt with the
select band of Government Reprographic Managers. Some may have been
present at the retirement of the larger-than-life Tom Daniels at DSS, Elephant
and Castle, 18 or so years ago. Tom was resplendent, as ever, in bow-tie and
Vauxhall Car Society badge, and the retirement party lasted all afternoon,
overspilling into the Firkin over the road. Sadly, Olga Daniels telephoned Peter
Colman (ex DTI Rep Manager) and Les Crawford (the last surviving M/OMTS) to
say that Tom died suddenly on the evening of Friday 18 March. He will be sadly
missed at the annual reunions still held in The Ship, Borough, London SE1.
Back to the working classes. Sorry, back to the classy workers. Terry McCrum is
one of the three McCrums left in St Crispins (will they never find their way
out?). At one time there were five. There would have been six, but he couldn’t
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persuade Robin Kelly to hire their dog as Security. Anyway, Terry still receives
copies of FOCUS (‘the most widely-read MOD publication . . . 67% of the service
and civilian personnel . . . read the newspaper, which targets readers across
the forces and defence Civil Service’). Page 22 of the March 2005 issue contains
a review of a book entitled The Civil Service Rifles in the Great War: All Bloody
Gentlemen by Jill Knight. Published by Pen and Sword, £19.99. John PittBrooke’s review refers to the ‘Territorial Army Regiment made up of gentlemen
in the clerical establishments of HM Government Offices’ and includes the
following paragraph: ‘ . . . the regiment found itself in Palestine, fighting the
Turks for control of Jerusalem. Sergeant ‘Bulldog’ Harris (of the Stationery
Office, no less) died leading a counter-attack with bayonets under severe shell
fire against superior Turkish force . . .’ Anyone with more information on this
HMSO hero is eagerly invited to submit. Are you out there Neil?
Steve Adcock joined HMSO in 1970. RS2b. Must have been one of Norman
Parker’s lads. Or one of Vi Wilson’s. Then he went to Finance. Then he went to
South Norfolk District Council. Then in 2004 he got married (my mum always
said everything good is worth waiting for. I’m still waiting for my 1951 Festival
of Britain badge, but that is an entirely different story). Then Toni Warden
(also ex HMSO Supplies) told him about HMSOldies, so now you know what he is
up to. Easy. Why doesn’t everybody do it? (No correspondence will be entered
into by the management etc.) Well done Steve. Debs Green worked in HMSO.
1985-88, Publications. Some of you might have known her as a Taylor. Clue:
daughter of a London-exile printer — she was the one without the pipe and
golfclubs. Now with the Norwich Prison Service, so I hope we never meet up
professionally. Is writing rubbish on a website an imprisonable crime yet?
Janice Sowerbutts joined the SPICE (Supplies Project for the Improvement of
Clerical Efficiency or some such strangulated acronym) as Janice Colk in 1978.
She is currently living in North Walsham with two young sons and sees Sue Ellis,
Adrienne May, Roma Fairweather and others wandering the streets of North
Norfolk. She remembers Brian Cockram. Which is more than he does (sorry,
Brian. Was it you who came to work with one black shoe and one brown shoe,
‘having got dressed in the dark’? Those were the days — when you could afford
two pairs of shoes).
Helen George joined HMSO Supplies Machinery as Helen Bryant in 1987. She
rejoined OGC (the latest but by no means last acronym for CCTA) once
weapons of mass destruction were found in HMSO in 1996, as did Fran Pomlett,
Tony Brown, Rob Chapman. Kevin White is now Senior British Officer there (I
remember having a glass of Burgundy with his mother-in-law in the wine bar
under Hepworth’s in Gentleman’s Walk. Now that was a year or two ago).
Helen is currently off on sick leave for several months, but still sees Gordon
Harrison (84 and proud to be so) Jane Burgis (48 and wishes it was so), Sue
Whitaker (just how many photographs can you get onto an A4 election leaflet?)
Janet Grimes (moved to Swainsthorpe and still ringing those bells), Geoff
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Sinden (is he still on the egg round?). But doesn’t see anything of old ADS1 Rod
Durkin (60 on 19 March 2005) so things aren’t all bad.
You thought I was making it up about Melbourne? Mary Robinson has lived in
Airport West, ten minutes from Tullamarine Airport, for 15 years, close to her
youngest son Paul. My 1968 Staff List shows her as a Typist Grade 1, in the
same list as Miss P Gordon-Foxwell and Mrs E Regens but (then) yet to aspire to
the heights of Mrs MK Lansdell (Grade I) and Miss R Hutson (Grade II). Mary
finished as CST in Norwich and still keeps in touch with Beryl Deane, Jean
Wilkin, Diane Johnstone. She has also seen Derick Moore and his wife when
they were on an Australian visit, and is due to return to England for 8 weeks on
15 June, so watch out for her wandering the streets (she is a practised Outback
walker) looking for somebody to take into the Golden Star for a few stubbies
and a grilling on what’s happening here these days. Perhaps we could employ
George Rokahr as a bagpiping kissogram?
Several contacts, some of whom (including Brian Puplett and Phil Leach) we
have turned into short biographies in the ‘People’ section. All contributions are
welcome. Why not incorporate a subtle advertisement for your latest concert,
invention, election onto Big Brother or court appearance?
Paul Radbourne is keen to organise a Norwich reunion — Golden Star? — and is,
by the way, complimentary about his two Supplies division EOs Sue Ellis and
Sue Lea.
Hugh Chatterton joined HMSO Publications Division in Nine Elms in 1990 and
left tSO in December 2004. He wonders whether the site was open to postprivatisation staff. Certainly — we are always interested to know what the new
buyers have done with the old house (thrown out the Adam fireplace and
replaced it with Ikea; put decking over the Palladian mosaic in the back yard
etc). Bob Barnard (school of ‘51; Publications and Belfast among other posts)
was complimentary about HMSOldies — ‘just what is needed.’ He is in touch
with E Sidney Brooks (school of ‘46; Post and Trade before the move to Nine
Elms and in charge of the original team which included Leon de Brunner (who
moved to DTI) Gavin Turner (who became Director of Furniture) and John
Tunbridge (who left for the Court Service).
Brian Puplett passes on the sad news that Peter Crisp (OMTS testing section)
has died. Brian saw Doug Stimpson and Dave Cousins, at the funeral in Kent.
23 March 2005 — George Travell
On 23 March the Eastern Daily Press carried the announcement that ‘George
Travell, sadly passed away on Saturday March 19 2005 at the Norfolk and
Norwich University Hospital. . . . the funeral service will be held at St Andrew’s
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Church, Eaton, on Wednesday March 30 at 1.30 p.m. followed by interment at
Eaton burial ground.’ George was born on 28 August 1925 and joined HMSO in
July 1943. He worked in many areas of print, becoming a Technical Officer in
1959 and retiring from the office as SEO.
March 2005 — Social Diary
So who was found treading the mean and frozen streets of Norwich (and
elsewhere) during the month? Bill Burberry (ex Internal Audit and scion of
Tooting) for one. Also Alison Womack (Pubns), Mike Mahoney (Finance with
HMSO; Office services with CCTA) wearing his gloves but not smoking his pipe;
Terry Soutar (Technical Services) and Ivor Hosgood (PP — he tells me that his
book, I’ll take you where the music’s playing is published on 10 July. Also Chris
Harkins who obviously has a Dorian Gray style pictures in his loft, that young
does he look. Don Ray, Chris Penn and Terry Harwood were seen (separately) in
the same shop: planning an undercover Management Meeting? Jack Palmer tells
me that he has just sold his boat (this will mean something to those people to
whom it means something. Sorry about the waffle — must be that mention of
Management Meetings).
And who would drive a car with the numberplate J7 CHH? Cecil Hedley Hughes
(PP) and Angela Brandish-Hughes (HR), that’s who. Peter Lince (another Printer
— are they the only ones tough enough to brave the East Anglian frost?) spent
some time in Turkey. Now he is back, he still meets Colin Harris and Ray
Dineen, but has not recently encountered David Poole (who returns from his
home in Spain for the odd vat of Marmite and cartridge for his trusty
Heidelberg printer). More Printers (many still employed by Astron, so names
withheld in case of retribution — and sorry to miss you, Arthur — were you on
o/t?) were seen on Licensed Premises. Among them was Don Dunkin (my old
Staff List shows his name associated with those of Bill Robinson — still seen in
the classier venues of Norwich Society, Terry Burchell and more names than I
am inclined to mention without a small donation to my personal charity
(Guinnessaid, where it’s always Red Nose Day).
An informal early farewell for Gill Johnson saw Sharon Higenbottam (not her
husband Dave — doubtless off playing squash to keep fit for his job in tSO), Paul
Barnard, Peter Macdonald, Chris Penn, Terry McCrum. Also (but only through
the window) Marion Maxwell, Dick Moore, Rory Quinn The following day spent
partly in St Crispins (isn’t it quiet these days?) and sightings of Brian Daniels,
Steve Ward, Phil Wilkes, Jim Marshall, Mike Yemm, Corinne Barker, Robin
Kelly, Sean Cooper (who says that his father, ex Office Keeper Barry does not
get about much any more). Peter Taylor was on the streets, despite recent
medical attention, and Sue Ticktum certainly has not lost any speed (doubtless
in an effort to escape from me). Neither have Roy and Win Osborne, seen along
Magdalen Street. Also Derek Newton.
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We have spotters everywhere. I hear of printers Len Hobbs (seen relandscaping his front garden) and Alex Herbert (currently on a walking holiday
with his wife Jean, in South Africa). What is it with ex HMSO people and South
Africa? Was I away when the free airline tickets were handed out? Despite no
longer holding the post of Lord Mayor of Norwich, Chris Southgate (and Jeanne
Southgate) can’t keep out of the newspapers. This month it was a reception for
the launch of Norwich in Bloom. And an email from Derek James (Norwich
Evening News) who kindly passed on a message from TS (Tom) Harris — would
he mind my saying he is 83? — who had hoped that HMSOldies was in hard copy,
as he has the good sense to shun the frustrations of computery. Anyone
interested in the project? Come on, Plackett, get the old Linotype out of the
shed! Or perhaps John Rumball could negotiate the linotype machine they have
in full working order in the John Jarrold Printing Museum (well worth a visitWednesday mornings 9-12.
It seems that the Electronic Publishing Christmas dinner is a moveable feast, in
that it was held in March (no jokes about three months late with delivery,
please). Alan Pawsey, Steve Carruthers, Lynda Marshall, Philip Marriage, Jayne
Wilkinson, and Dave Martin (the event had been delayed by Dave’s recent trip
to New Zealand. How far does he have to go to avoid the Long Stratton bypass
demonstrations?) all enjoyed the evening, and so would have John Saville had
his electronic diary not let him down. Gordon Robbie had a better reason for
absence: the birth of his latest grandchild.
Spotted in a cellar in Tombland — that socialite and man-about-Heartsease Don
Warman; also Susan Curran and Paul Simmonds (time for a reprint of one of his
SO Review film reviews yet?) and Gerry and Margaret Lucioli (Gerry has been in
BUPA for some months, but luckily they are paying him). And on Norwich
station the ever-tanned and youthful John Balls, about to travel to Amsterdam
with his wife for a few days. Denis Moloney was only going to London to buy an
old man a few pints (thanks Denis) and Danny Burns was obviously on an away
day from St Crispins. Ken Rhodes had not been sighted lately, apart from by
the Carbonari or whatever the local rozzers call themselves, as he has been in
Italy. So that’s why he hasn’t been on to me criticising all this waffle.
I wish I could have been at the surprise farewell for Gill Johnson on 22 March,
but I couldn’t slip my tagging device. I am told that a few dozen of her many
friends made it to Delaney’s in Norwich, and heard warm words from o2o (not
Lymswold — that’s next year’s name) Chief Executive Ray Peck. Karen
Hutchinson organised the event with effortless skill — the hardest skill there is
— and old beneficiaries of Gill’s excellent secretarial work, Penn, Cole and
Barnard were there. Steve Forde made it (the earliest he has left St Crispins for
nine years — that thing up there in the sky is the sun, Steve) Mark Cunningham,
Danny Burns, Alex Winstanley, Robin Kelly, Neil Brooksby, Duncan Dawdry also
featured, as did many more, but my Cub Reporter was trying to get the
shamrock shape off the top of his Guinness with a Foldback 1414 (bulldog clip —
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do you remember nothing?) by then. Gill is going to spend more time with her
garden. Lucky garden.
Doug Chinnery probably finds his Staff Side experience useful in dealing with
stroppy pupils at his school and Edgar Gibson probably found that having
worked with Ernie Downs was useful when he worked for a while in the Norwich
Magistrates Court (where most of them play golf — what did you think I
meant?). Nodge Carnegie looking cheerful, and he is still employed by tSO. Phil
Leach tells me he sees Shaun Struthers regularly at his Nursing Home in
Hellesdon, and also sings with Reg Andrews who is an incredible 83 and has a
strong tenor voice (because he still smokes St Bruno in the same Falcon pipe?)
Phil has also seen Valerie (daughter of Viv) Knowles, Ruth Vivian and Vic
Morley. When he was in North Elmham he met Nick Moore, who used to run the
Sovereign Singers and worked in Training (seconded from English Heritage).
Easter Monday and the annual visit to Fakenham races, where I support sick
horses (I don’t know they are sick when I back them) but not a sighting of a
single ex HMSO person — all too sensible, no doubt. But wait! In the distance,
what is this I see on the board of an on-course bookmaker? ‘Honest Mike Lynn.’
Now, he’s the man to take my bet. But no — a closer inspection showed that he
was ‘Honest Mike Murphy: King’s Lynn.’ As the late Patrick Campbell would say,
you couldn’t make it up.
And finally, on the last day of the month, some fashion advice for Denis
Moloney, spotted filling his executive Audi at the non-executive Bowthorpe
Sainsbury’s in full (and I mean full) Tottenham strip, including shorts. Do I have
to say more?
31 March 2005 — Frank Grigson
We are sad to report that Frank Grigson died, at the age of 69, in March 2005.
He joined HMSO as a Print Apprentice in February 1951, progressing through
various Works Division posts until finishing with HMSO in Publications. Brian
Ekers and Derek Lees attended his funeral in Bishops Stortford.
13 April 2005 — Susan Hoadley
On 13 April the Eastern Daily Press contained the sad news that Sue Hoadley
had died in Norwich on April 3, aged 46. The funeral is to take place at St
Faiths crematorium on Thursday 21 April (no flowers by request). Sue joined
HMSO in 1976 and worked in IT. She had also worked with the Accounts Payable
team.
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28 April 2005 — Eric Bone’s ‘World’s Shortest Books’ Competition
We have received the following entries. In fact, we have received more, but
many are perilously close to cruelty rather than parody, so they are being kept
in the Vault (for the present at least).
A Soldier Erect by Peter Macdonald
The Big Sleep by Ken Kemp
A Rude Awakening by Ken Kemp
A Woman of Substance by Mrs DNG Rust
Erskine May on the Public Accounts Committee by Mike Lynn
Zen and the Art of Ring Cycle Perseverance by Ken Rhodes
The Hireling by John Norman
My World and Welcome to it by Eric Bone
Wuthering Heights by Derek Rutherford
Ever Decreasing Circles by Dickie Dunn
The 39 Steps: BSI 9002 for all by Anne Eason
Still Life: Energy Efficiency in Action by John Eason
Tea and Sympathy by Rod Durkin (Out of Print)
Stop Press: Eric has scrutinised the entries, and the item to strike the funny
bone most severely is Still Life: Energy Efficiency in Action by John Eason. As
Eric says, ‘advice I wish I had followed.’
April 2005 — Social Diary
Was I the only retired-and-emotional HMSO employee to receive a letter, dated
1 April, telling me that to continue to receive my pension I must shape up in
the St Crispins Atrium and collect the nine years worth of documents from my
neglected In-tray for action? How long does it take to deal with 2713 editions
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of the Financial Times, a complaint from Tony Smith and a seventy-five page
list of suggestions from Brian Whitefield? Worth it, I think.
On the streets this month — the pipe-smoking Security Officer who was known
as Jim (but we know his name is Vernon) cycling through Sovereign House car
park — soon to be redesigned as the Lymswold Holiday Inn — nearly running
into Sheila Blowers (still with tSO and the keeper of some nice old documents
which may be coming our way soon). Then other current staff rushing in to St
Crispins . . . Bob King among them. Internet contact from Sue Whitaker, Les
Crawford, Cecil Hughes, Harry and Dorothy Teedon (she is still playing the
organ; he is getting to grips with the computer keyboard. If only he had had
the Internet when he was TUSGS . . . ) and Danny Loftus HRC who works as part
of the Banner/o2o Ministry of Defence Customer care team with Gina Lumber
(ex Bristol) Colin Docker, Bob Groves, Linda Verrechia (ex Edinburgh), Laurence
Wade (ex Northern Ireland) and Ray Payne (ex MOD — customer turned
gamekeeper, or whatever the phrase is).
David Holt was about, and asked me not to mention that he was in the Ribs of
Beef with a newly purchased towel rail, wondering where to put it (he knows
how to buy a present). Same place, on another day, a group of grandees —
Peter Macdonald, Jim McDonald, Alec Smith, Mike Lynn, Chris Penn, Paul
Barnard, John Saville, all having been elsewhere, and encountering Alan
Pawsey and Linda Marshall (both still with HMSO residual body. ‘Orange and
lemon, and a Bells for St Clements’ was the drinks order, I think). By the way, I
was asked if I had seen the charismatic Albert Reginald Horatio During lately
(my answer was ‘not lately’) and well I’m blessed, it was only the elegantly
suited man himself who motored past me with a toot on the horn on the
Dereham Road as I walked home that very afternoon. And who was it who told
me he had recently seen Bob Dwyer at a Tottenham FC match? On the bench, I
think — they might have done better had he played. Di Ward was seen showing
friends around the byways of Norwich and Tony Bishop showing his shopping
trolley how to handle several bags of garden composting material. Good to see
that Ernie White is looking as fit as ever — he started with HMSO in Keysign
House and came to Norwich (despatch section) via Shepherdess Walk, Alperton
and other palaces of variety.
To London for a meeting with two graduates from HMSO Northern Ireland —
Terry McCrum (currently with Banner) and Peter McAuley (now Deputy Principal
with DHSS Northern Ireland). Peter has seen several ex HMSO Belfast stalwarts
— John Strachan, Willie Smith, Roy Dubois, Walter Roberts and many more. He
passed over some ‘action’ pictures, taken in the office in around 1990. Does
anyone remember his stint as Peter ‘Bamber’ McAuley at the second annual
general knowledge quiz organised in Belfast in December 1984 when Danny ‘the
Harp’ Lavery (and I quote directly from SO Review February 1985) thought that
a Troglodite was ‘something which grows up in a cave.’ Not surprising,
therefore, that the PP1 team (Larry ‘Hurricane’ Gould; George ‘PC99’ Taggart
— occasionally aided by Norman Armstrong and Roy Plackett) won the day. By
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the way, the cover of that SO Review carried a 1972 photograph of ‘Pauline
Barrow, Oldham Carnival Queen and at the time CO in Rep. Manchester. Where
is she now, I wonder?
Deep scrutiny of the list of guests at the Royal Wedding showed a surprising nil
return of ex HMSO staff (or did Joanna Lumley once work an Adrema machine
in Shep Walk?). There were lots at the Coronation Street wedding, however. At
least, to these southern ears, their voices sounded just the same as those in
the Chadderton Rep Unit.
Our roving reporters have come back, expense forms in hand, with the news
that Ivor Hosgood (who sends thanks for the publicity for his forthcoming book)
has been in contact with Peter Staples (doing very well after his horrific road
accident) Brian Lambirth (who was, with Pat Tate, at the funeral held for
George Travell), Tony Riordan (Print from 1988) and J Melvyn Clayton, of whom
Ivor reports ‘for those with long memories, Melvyn served briefly in P&B
Atlantic House in the early 1960s, and eventually found his way to Norwich to
teach at the City College. He has now retired.’ Ivor also exchanges Christmas
cards with Donald O Barford, another old (Print) colleague and fellow organist
from the 1960s. On dispersal he decided to return to Northampton to take up a
post with Clarke and Sherwell and (as organist) at the City’s Christ Church.
Donald was also a friend of fellow musician Kenneth Picton Sandford (Works
Division from 1948) whom, says Ivor ‘I believe I glimpsed at the Harlow Garden
Centre a few weeks back.’ Ken was, as Director of General and Security
printing, one of the ‘hosts’ of the 1982 HMSO Old Boys’ Lunch (no truck with
old gels in those days). Peter Mahoney (who moved to buy print for
Metropolitan Police in London after leaving HMSO) expects to retire this year
and devote more time to watching Watford FC. Peter has in the past
mentioned The Annual Dinner of the St Stephen’s and Parliamentary Press Old
Colleague’s Association. The last event, organised by Bob Allder, was held at
The Old Sessions’ House, Clerkenwell Green in December 2004, and Ken
Wanstall has sent me the list of attendees: Bob Allder, Bob Avery, Dan Cole,
Alan Crawley, John Davies, Michael Davies, Michael Edwards, John Eveson,
David Forbes, Tony Ford, George Gordon, Martin Grant, Frank Hallett (back
from his home in the Far East to pick up his OBE.), Geoff Hooper, Fred Howe,
Bill Lack, Trevor Lock, Gordon Parfitt, Ron Reddick, Tony Riordan, Denis Rose,
Graham Smith, Ken Wanstall, Norman Warbis and Peter Watts.
Back in Norwich, Isobel Williamson was all of a rush (obviously not to cash in
her Everton season ticket) when she encountered Peter and Ceanne Wilde,
Marilyn Nisbet, and Stella Moore on the streets of Norwich. She also keeps up
with Sherry Mitchell and has especially asked me to mention that William F
Robinson (Print, class of ‘61) is her ‘twin.’ They know what this means. Graham
Churchyard seen wheeling his bike in Anglia Square and Ian Macfarlane
wheeling his bin out of his front garden. Marguerite Finn produced an
impressive journalistic column in the Norwich Evening News. Alan Low as
cheerful as ever (I’d like some of his memories for my own) and Jim Wilson
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looking as fit as ever on his way to work. Devon and Sonya Williams and
children passed over some intriguing pictures of Publications Division parties,
retirements etc. Must clear one or two with m’learned friends (are Michael
Jackson’s people free yet?) before release. Diane Johnson still keeps up with
fellow typing managers Beryl Deane and Mary Robinson. Also Rep Manager
Muriel Larke.
The sale of Astron to US-based RR Donnelley (didn’t they do telephone
directories?) for £520m did not see the 50 Norwich-based staff (Print
Procurement to we greybeards) dancing in the streets, although Chief
Executive David Mitchell expected that ‘our employees will benefit from
increased opportunities . . .’ Trebles all round, then. But not from some of the
current Astronauts, seen in the company of Alan Hynes. Gerry Lucioli would
have been there, but it was brain surgery day at BUPA and his professional
talents were needed.
I know he didn’t work in HMSO, but Pete Turner (past Landlord of the Golden
Star, Duke Street) helped many a Sovereign House employee back to work, let
us say, more contentedly in the afternoons. He has not paid me to say that his
newish venture, a Pub/Brewery, The Cock at Barford serves excellent and
idiosyncratic food and drink. While on the subject of Pubs (don’t get me
started) the White Lion in Oak Street, Norwich — home of many a PP-inspired
Christmas singalong — has closed, presumably for ever. Have to go in the other
250 left in Norwich, then, including The Shed — a Colin Keatley enterprise due
to open on the site of the Wherry, Lawson Road, in May 2005. I told you not to
get me started. Lets get on to something else — John Nash, for instance, Squire
of Newport (Isle of Wight) rang to say that he still keeps up with Bob Barnard
(we will mention the cover of the January 1959 SO Review on another occasion)
and his old CRS colleague George York, who entered into Established Service in
1938.
Back to sobriety. Emails received include those from Dave Martin who, when
employed in P5B Cornwall House in the early 1960s worked three lovely
women: Moira Turnbull (now Moira Martin), Margaret Duggan (who he has seen
recently as Margaret O’Leary) and Deidre McVeigh, Cornwall House’s answer to
Julie Christie, who is currently teaching English with a Newry accent in
Germany. John Grundy is going to see how many ex Publications people he can
contact for a gathering in the Birmingham area (he is in contact with Mike
Chevins, who in turn contacts Peter Fudge, who in turn can no doubt raise John
Smith and Mike Trigg. John suggests that John Hudson is still a publisher at
BMJ. John Westwood contacted us on his Amstrad Emailer and Ken Wanstall
(Tech London, HMSO from 1978. He took early retirement from the Electricity
Industry in 2003). Vic Kefford produced some good stuff for the Memories
feature. Gerry Aldus just wants to know what people are up to (no reminders of
‘work’ please) and Phillip Brooks has some pictures of a young Kate Adie which
we may feature on Page 3.
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Gerry Lucioli tells me that Derek Regnier is retiring from Astron (where he
works with Barrie Harper) towards the end of May, after 44 years service (one
of the longest serving still there?). He was apprenticed in HMSO and worked in
Manor Farm Press before moving to Norwich (CEPA with Mike Taylor) in the
early 1970s. Robin Duhig also worked in Print and now runs the Wymondham
Folk Club (see him on Wymondham Buskers’ Day, Saturday 28 May). Ernie
Downs looking very fit for a man who joined HMSO in 1961, but (despite
continuous exercise looking for golf balls) not fit enough to escape until he
thought of an excuse (going to the dentist, indeed). He has recently mixed with
the Spixworth intelligentsia — Jayne Ward (happy birthday for 25 April, Jayne),
Rosemary and Frank Lynch. Also Dave Higenbottam. Al Hynes is obviously
keeping out of the way (he still owes Ernie a copy of his List of Duties).
Linda Lenton organises occasional meetings of ex-Finance staff in Norwich, the
last bring 18 April. Circumstances resulted in a relatively small turnout. Viv
Jones had to cancel due to a family bereavement; Kath Marley was unwell; Alf
Wiggins had only just travelled back from Portsmouth that day. So it was left to
Linda, Judy Sherwood, Derek and Christine Carter and Ian Billings. Derek is
virtually blind now, and often meets Larry Doyle and a few other retirees for a
lunchtime drink. Len Ellis, John Betts, and KJ Coleman were surprised by the
guest appearance of Don Warman at the meeting of the Pipe Club of Norfolk.
He handed over more treasures from the Jim Curtis archive.
*****
5 May 2005 — Edinburgh news from Jim MacCallum and Andy Baptie
The Edinburgh contingent were indeed delighted to see that someone had had
the courage to create a website because we like to hear about old colleagues.
The Scottish Mafia do not want to be forgotten and we decided to let you know
that we are still alive and kicking — but not scoring many goals! Over twenty
years ago we ‘all’ wanted to keep in touch and decided that we would meet
once a month for lunch. Eventually the Prestonfield Golf Club was our ‘home’
and we are still meeting there on the last Friday of every month (December
excluded when an earlier date in the month seemed more sensible). We were
made so welcome that the staff at the club gave our group the name of ‘THE
LAST SUPPER‘ and put a printed notice on our dining table to that effect.
Sometimes we wondered which one of us they were not expecting to appear
the following month! On that note it might be appropriate to mention that,
sadly, during those twenty years we have lost but three members — Gordon
McGowan, who was Deputy Director, John Rome who was HTO in the Printing
Section and Jack Towe who, on his return to live in Edinburgh, was with us for
some years.
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Our current Oldies are Ben Pearson, Andy Baptie, Alex Morris, Norrie Veitch
and John Hamilton who were all of the printing fraternity and these five are
aided and abetted by Dave Currie, Willie Ross and Jim MacCallum. Although not
giving away anybody’s age suffice it to say that five of those mentioned are
receiving 25 pence extra on their old age pension! Perhaps, here, a plea could
be made for anyone who may have a free spare ear trumpet to get in touch
with Jim MacCallum!
Finally we would like to send fraternal greetings to all our ex-colleagues and to
extend an open invitation to any of them from south of the border to join us
for lunch on the last Friday of any month (except December) at Prestonfield
Golf Club. Of course you will have to pay! This final comment on payment was
made, of course, by no one else than Jim MacCallum.
14 May 2005 — AwayDay by Dave Martin
29 assorted HMSO/tSO Oldies and some still-serving plus wives, partners,
friends, and including a contingent from OGC, joined the chartered coach on
Saturday 14 May for the tenth such trip to Boulogne. Leaving Norwich at 5am,
the coach stopped 15 minutes later at Wymondham to pick up South Norfolk
stragglers (plus Sue Whitaker and Mick Hardy who live in the City but like to
race the coach to Wymondham!) Then it was a couple of hours doze to
Thurrock for a breakfast stop, after which on to eventual check-in at the
Eurotunnel terminal for the 10.06am shuttle.
On unadjusted watches it was around 10.45am when, after about 30 minutes of
undersea shuttling, we headed out from the Coquelles terminal. For those who
had adjusted to French time it was 11.45am locally. We arrived in Boulogne at
12.15pm. Jim Marshall’s lunch group (about 12 of us) headed for La Petite
Bouffe where we swiftly settled and got the pre-lunch beer orders under way.
In keeping with tradition, lunch was leisurely, noisy and washed down with
plenty of wine. After lunch, a couple of hours for individual exploration of
Boulogne shops and other cafés before we rejoined the coach at 5.15pm to
head for Boulogne’s Auchan hypermarket. Here an hour and a half was spent
productively in selection of various wines, beers and even one or two food
items. It was back on the coach at 7.15pm to catch the 8.30pm shuttle.
Safely back on M20 tarmac, Brian Daniels held the raffle draw. On joining the
coach in the morning each passenger was given a ticket for this draw. As this
was the tenth such trip, there was a bumper selection of prizes, most of which
were, unsurprisingly, alcoholic. Steve Carruthers, formerly Pubns and now
House of Commons (staff, not elected) won the top prize bottle of malt whisky
but for follow-on prizes there seemed to be endless bottles of wine handed out
all round the coach! Did Brian train as a magician?
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The journey continued without interruption apart from a brief ‘comfort stop’
(several alternative but rather more colourful descriptions were heard) until
we reached Wymondham around 11.45pm, where the South Norfolk contingent
left the coach. Our stacks of wine and beer boxes unloaded from the coach
luggage spaces made an impressive sight on the pavement at The Windmill car
park!
Like its nine predecessors, this trip was greatly enjoyed by all who went. These
trips would not have happened without organisation by Brian Daniels and Jim
Marshall so sincere thanks again to them both. We are already looking forward
to next year’s outing and there is room for a few more to join us. It’s always in
mid-May that the trip takes place. If you would like to know more or maybe
register a potential interest, Brian or Jim would be happy to help. You can
reach them at:
Brian Daniels brian.daniels@tso.co.uk
Jim Marshall jim.marshall@tso.co.uk
17 May 2005 — HMSO Replaced by New Body Shock!
The Daily Mail dated Tuesday 17 May carried the dramatic headline on page 10
‘Now the republican tendency march into the stationery office.’ It went on
‘Labour was accused of treating Britain’s royal heritage with contempt last
night as it replaced Her Majesty’s Stationery Office with a new body. Ministers
tore up 219 years of tradition by downgrading HMSO into a subordinate of the
newly-created Office of Public Sector Information . . . critics claimed the move
was another example of New Labour’s creeping republicanism . . . the Cabinet
Office said that HMSO will ‘continue to exist’ but it will be reduced to
performing core activities, such as publishing Bills and managing Crown
copyright. The downgrade was underlined by the decision to appoint HMSO’s
boss, Carol Tullo, as the director of the new body.’
We can’t remember all this fuss in the Daily Mail in 1996 . . .
Stop Press. Those of you sent into a panic by the article above may be relieved
to know that Carol Tullo, Queen’s Printer, HMSO, wrote to the Daily Mail on 20
May 2005 as follows: ‘Her Majesty’s Stationery Office isn’t being downgraded
by the formation of the Office of Public Sector Information. HMSO continues in
its traditional role while OPSI takes on a new remit to help release the
commercial potential in public sector information. We conducted public
consultation on the proposal and Buckingham Palace gave its approval. There is
no question of HMSO being abolished.’
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23 May 2005 — From Bob Barnard
You wanted to know about meetings with ex HMSO staff so you may be
interested to know about some informal get-togethers. Valerie and I keep in
regular touch with Sid Brooks and Kay Griffiths (Kay left Pubns for the Dept of
Employment with Maud Rix as neither wished to relocate to Norwich). We are
meeting them for lunch at the Civil Service Club next week. We met on 4 May.
I saw Paddy Epstein and his wife Rose (Neilson) recently. Paddy will be
remembered most as the Cashier at Atlantic House but I first knew him in the
Costings Section at Shepherdess Walk in 1951. He will be 89, or maybe 90, in
October and is more frail than when I last saw him several years ago. Mentally
he is still quite alert and his usual argumentative self. Within the last few years
he has been to Cuba several times, to China and more recently, Paris.
Rose was a supervisor in charge of the Photostat and Mircofilm Sections at
Shepherdess Walk until the move to Basildon when she took charge of the
London Rep Unit under Alec Gravatt, at Cornwall House. She is now over 90 and
although suffers a number of health problems is still quite remarkable for her
age. Paddy heard from Fred (Eric) Brent, formerly P2, before he left HMSO to
join the Society of Civil Servants to say that Frank Wright (ex Finance Divn) had
died. Paddy, Eric and Frank used to go skiing together. I introduced Paddy to
skiing in Norway and he continued to ski well into his 80s.
Paddy and Rose share a house in London with Rose’s sister, Lil (Bowen Powis)
previously an Assistant Supervisor in the Reading Section of D and D Division at
Bainbridge Street and then Bunhill Row before she was promoted to CO and
worked in S3D under Norman Parker.
I also hear from Barbara Widdocks Con 5A (how many remember Contracts
Division?). She was transferred to the Crown Agents in the 1970s. Barbara sees
Joan Organ (ex Pubns) regularly. I hear from Ivor Annetts too, who has recently
retired from fund raising for the Salvation Army. He now lives in Verwood in
Dorset. I shall write to him shortly to give him details of the web site. I see
Peter Wall in Waitrose from time to time. His wife has had major heart surgery
and has had to take medical retirement from the old Dept of Employment. We
also hear from Betty Coleman (ex Welfare) and Connie Ralph ex Pubns (P6A?)
each Christmas.
Meeting of ex HMSO Finance Division staff, Mon 6 June 2005
The next in a series of evening social meetings is to be held in The Glasshouse,
Magdalen Street, at 2030 hours on Monday 6 June. In attendance, among
others, will be Linda Lenton, Judy Sherwood, Viv Jones, Katherine Marley, Alf
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Wiggins, Derek Carter, Ian Billings. All old Financiers welcome — there is no
agenda, and ‘you can leave your calculators at home.’
28 May 2005 — News from Belfast
A well-received note from Brian Watt (HMSO Belfast Print, 1976-1999 and (the
last?) Editor of SO Review 1984-86). He writes:
‘I was just reading up on the ICs — perhaps you would like to include something
from Belfast? Banner, formerly Supplies Section, is still operational (managed
by Fiona Gunning) and is based at the Old Gasworks site. Make up your own
jokes and comments please. The old Print Procurement bunch meet every year
shortly after Christmas for a meal and a chat. Jim Martin is still complaining,
Michael Hughes has moved to tSO Books, just around the corner. Larry Gould is
still trying to get his handicap below 30 (only joking), George Taggart is now
employed (I purposely did not use the word ‘working’) in the NI Housing
Executive and Jackie Purdy is in the NI Civil Service in DSS (as is Peter McAuley.
On a personal note, I was employed for a while by Universities Press (where
Willie Smith is currently working as a Rep.) but is starting a job in Belfast City
Council in June. I am also keeping the remaining brain cells working by
studying Spanish, and have just passed my GCSE in the subject.
‘Elaine Moody was working in a local call centre, and is now expecting her
second child. I believe the two facts are unconnected. For any old-timers,
Walter Roberts has finally retired from his ‘wedding service’ business. John
Straghan is working in the NI Civil Service. I met Dan Connor in a restaurant
where I was tinkling the ivories recently. He was working as a Director in a
conference centre but has now retired. Michael Blair was at another event
where I was playing piano — his health was not to good but he was in his usual
good spirits. I have not come across Norman Armstrong or Maura Fitzpatrick.
Johnny Belshaw is currently working in Halifax Building Society, just around the
corner from Banner. He is in an office full of lovely girls. ‘Died and gone to
heaven’ comes to mind.
‘The big news in Belfast was the demolition of IDB House, the home of Belfast
RO. What was a fairly large six-storey building is now a fairly large hole in the
ground. This time it was demolished by legal means after a few attempts by
the IRA had failed.’
May 2005 — Social Diary
A quick walk around the streets early on, and all the usual suspects doing their
rounds. Plus Penny Poole, Sheila Blowers, Jitu Raithatha on their way to work;
Ray Fox, Cynthia Kerry, Keith Riley, Alex Birks, Alison Upton, Debbie Matthews,
Keith Champ, Ian Maunders, Christine Hawthorn, Ian Hatfield, Jim Houston,
Alison Womack, Alex Smith, Neil Storey, Dave Ruffles, Dick Laundy on their way
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to somewhere else (Dave and Dick in Wymondham — is there no distance we
won’t travel to spot A-list celebrities? We also employ ‘stringers’ — Rod Durkin
recently saw Maureen Wickham (Maureen Riley to those who remember her
working with Maureen Whitehorn in the Cornwall House Registry) at the
Theatre Royal. And an anonymous correspondent encountered Frank Hallet
back in London for a spell
A note from Roy Plackett, recently returned with a party of eleven from Dublin
(proudly proclaimed, as a result of a survey in the Irish Independent, ‘the
world’s second most expensive place to visit’ (after Norway, since you ask). He
writes as follows: Featured in a picture taken after an intrepid boat trip (not in
Ireland — too expensive) with some just making it back to dry land are Eric
Davie (ex CCTA) Peter Bradbury (ex Tubby Isaacs’ Winkle Stall), Allan Reid
(excellent cricketer) Glyn Jones (exiled from Cardiff) Roy Plackett (ex
certificate) Cecil H Hughes (excellent head of hair) Jack Sayers (reluctant
millionaire) and Tom Smith (even more reluctant self-proclaimed Pauper of
Poringland). Out of frame: Roy Marchant (in the brig) and Paul Cornelius
(taking the p-p-p-picture).
The day after the General and Local Elections, where Sue Whitaker was
successful for Labour and Susan Curran less so for the Green Party, a day in
London encountered old customers (Roger Pudner, Land Registry, Dave Stoten,
lately Land Registry Rep Manager) and Suppliers (Jack Costelloe, Schleicher,
and Bernard Johnson, ex AM and about to retire from Toshiba). Then an email
from new grandparents Gloria and John Flynn (John joined HMSO in 1966,
working mainly in Audit and Supplies). They write: ‘Just back from America . .
. LA and the Grand Canyon are a must but if you want a real taste of life in
America, visit Kentucky and Louisville. Famed for the Louisville Lip, Fort Knox
(free samples available 31 April each year) and Bourbon, including Woodford’s
Distillery (Mike Betts to note). The motto for the Kentucky Derby is ‘Famous for
Fast Women and Beautiful Horses’ or some such. The Derby is on 6 May and is
the biggest event of the year with an airshow and fireworks over the Ohio
River. As with most of US, the car rules the freeways, expressways, ringroads
and bypasses. Few people can be seen walking the streets in the suburbs,
although all of the many malls are busy. Everyone is polite, including drivers
and shoppers, who say ‘excuse me’ if they think they might be in your way.
There is plenty to do and to see — countryside, shooting, museums and history.
There is a casino over the border in Indiana. It is on a stationary river boat
which is sometimes moved a few feet to satisfy state laws requiring gambling
to be carried out on the move. The State is happy to rake in a few million
dollars in taxes. We managed to make a few dollars on the 50 cent machines.
Have a nice day.’
Philip Marriage exchanged emails with his old Graphic Design boss John
Westwood and received the following reply from John’s trusty Amstrad
machine: ‘My goodness, did you have to keyboard all of those emails re
HMSOldies yourself, to get them to that lazy old so-and-so at Goring? . . .
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Five minutes’ walk from here, Goring Library could introduce me to
http://www and all that jazz, so I really ought to stop my bookbinding and
Meccano activities, so as to save you the trouble! Must awa the noo, the Morris
Dancers are performing shortly at Goring Lock on our beautiful Thames here . .
. Regards.’
My meanderings through the pile of old SO Reviews occasionally produce some
examples of what would have been Social diaries from the Sixties and
Seventies. Atlantic House Gossip from December 1969 starts with the words
‘Congratulations to Mr Robert Stutely among the first five students to be
awarded a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Printing Technology. His thesis
was called ‘Computer Assisted Mathematical Composition.’ (I’m going away
soon — wonder if Robert has a copy to spare — sounds like ideal beach
reading). Also: ‘Mr Alan Lusher and Mr Phillip Brooks have both passed the
written part of the limited EO examination, have been interviewed, and are
anxiously awaiting results.’ Does anyone know what happened to Mr Lusher? I
seem to recall that Mr Brooks finished up in Publications with a job where he
twiddled his thumbs and wondered how to fill in his 10-4 day. Anyway, ‘Mr
Arthur Holland has become engaged to a girl from his rambling club. The
wedding is to be in Scotland in June 1970.’ The cover of the May 1970 edition
featured ‘Review Cover Girl 1970’ concerning which the following edition
claimed ‘had been the subject of unprecedented response.’ Who could it be?
Step forward Corinne Barker (nee Lovett) who is currently still with tSO and, if
I may infringe some sort of correctness law, would still grace the front cover of
any magazine sold by decent newsagents. By the way, in response to dozens of
questions, I can tell you that the Sovereign Club was officially opened by
Deputy Controller William Donaldson on Walpurgis night — sorry, 30 April 1970.
In March 1971 we learnt that Jim Stokes (Supplies Paperkeeper of happy
memory — he was the last man I saw with quart bottles of Charrington’s Light
Ale — joined HMSO in 1945) ‘recently fell off a bus and has been away for a
long time. He is now recovering, looking extremely fit, and has put on a lot of
weight.’ I think that was a good thing in pre-fast-food 1971. Under the
(satirical?) heading ‘All the Nice Ones are Going’ we learned that ‘Clive
Almond, formerly CRS, called in after his period of duty in Ghana and before a
three year spell in Paris. Miss Irene Allen is now an HEO in Patent Office’ (she
swapped, pre-dispersal, with my old friend Stan ‘We should never have left
Barnet’ Adams, now sadly in a place even more heavenly than Barnet, leaving
his widow Pat Adams to look after one remaining Cat in Drayton. Or was that
Rat in Catton? It all gets so confusing. Anyway, Irene ‘now has a staff of 56 to
control.’ Good grief, when in HMSO she worked as EO to the saintly Charlie
Lloyd and had the charismatic Tommy (Edinburgh Golfer and Woolwich Granada
Bingo Caller) Taylor, Gordon ‘even for a Scot I’m aggressive’ Stein, Johnny
‘even for a Scot I’m a great bloke’ Muir and Reg ‘have I died and gone to
heaven, working with all these Scots?’ Walker, she still had all her sick leave
and ours as well. But I am getting deeper into the sludge . . .’ Frank Francis is
retired in Exeter . . . Ron Reddick played badminton for Ireland against
Scotland. In June 1971 we were told that ‘with the end of the three year
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moratorium on transfers from Norwich in sight, we have seen several transfers
of Norwich staff taking place, with a number on promotion back to London
including Terry Morgan, Brian Ekers, Derek Lees, Frank Grigson, John Brunton
(to Basildon — soon to be on the end of the ‘phone from David Robertson?),
Andrew Baptie for Gateshead, Andy Hunter and Dave Walker for Manchester
and John Latham for SSPP. Speaking of which, the Secretary of IPCS at St
Stephen’s, Trevor Priddle, married Miss Judith Williams on 1 May at Hinkley
Wood (well, that’s what they printed — perhaps they were using Readers from
The Guardian and it was meant to be Hinchley Wood).
Back to the present. Paul Radbourne bravely showed his MD our comments, and
was told that ‘as a senior person at Conquest Business Media I should dress
more appropriately as I looked like Rumpole of the Bailey in his younger days.’
He wants to know of any charity shops specialising in Men’s Petite sizes. He
also suggests a ‘Where are they now?’ column, and wonders about the
whereabouts of Mike Seppings (I can’t repeat the comment on pigs as I’m
writing this before the watershed), Dee Reeve, Jill Weatherburn, Dorothy
Daniell and Valerie Burling. So if any of you are reading this — watch out, he’s
after you. Ann Claydon was not so lucky, but her dog saw him off. A short-cut
through Norwich Cathedral grounds encountered a huge crowd involved in the
worship of Mammon (how else would you describe the recording of BBC’s
Antiques Roadshow? ) only relieved by the sight of the ever-youthful Stella
Moore with something old and badly packaged under her arm. She told me that
she had queued for two hours, only to be told that it was in quite good
condition for its age, despite a couple of bits where the moth had been, but
there wasn’t much call for it these days. So back on the hook in the parlour
goes Dick. Stella sees the three graces (Rusty Howlett, Jean Lawrie, Carol
Bullock) for lunch occasionally, and they are in good form. She has also seen
Olive Monton. I also encountered the only man in Central Services willing and
able to interpret some of the impenetrable Management Initiatives to the weak
of will — Julian Rogers — who is now a Director himself with Astron.
Norwich’s local daily newspaper, the Eastern Daily Press — often contains
reference to ex HMSO people, although the appearance of Chris Southgate is
less now that he is no longer Lord Mayor of Norwich, although he did make it to
their coverage of the end-of-year civic reception at Norwich City Hall, as did
Jeanne Southgate and Neil Hacker. Adrienne May and Norman Brooks
occasionally get letters published in the paper, and Marguerite Finn is given full
exposure in a column all of her own. During May, there was an interesting
article on a local personality of days past — Billy Bluelight. ‘Five years of work
on the Wherryman’s Way was finally unveiled to the public . . . at the launch, a
statue and wind-up recording, paying tribute to Billy Bluelight, was unveiled at
the Woods End pub at Bramerton by his great nephew Andrew Cullum. Mr
Cullum, a Broads Authority navigation ranger, also provided the voice for his
distant relative, who tells a tale from the days of the Wherries.’ So if you want
to hear the voice of the man who masterminded Publications Publicity in the
early 1990s, you know where to go.
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*****
Somewhere in Flanders: Stuart McLaren launches first book
Stuart joined HMSO in 1987, initially in Supply and then Publications. He writes
as follows: ‘My former colleagues at HMSO/tSO Publications might like to be
warned to avoid the bookshops of Norfolk for a few weeks where my first book
is even now disgracing the shelves, scandalously over-priced at £6.95.
Mischievously entitled Somewhere in Flanders: Letters of a Norfolk Padre in the
Great War, it purports to be the letters of a Norfolk curate working as an Army
Chaplain on the Western Front in the First World War (see lurid cover). Reviews
in the Norwich Evening News this Friday (3 June) and in the Eastern Daily Press
on Saturday (4 June) will further compound this error of judgement on my part.
To add insult to injury I will be blowing my own trumpet on Radio Norfolk on
Sunday 19 June during ‘Maggie’s Brew’, no doubt spoiling post-Sunday lunch
snoozes all over the county.’
3 June 2005 — Civil Service Retirement Fellowship: Norwich Meetings 2005
A clarion call from Cecil H. Hughes (Chairman) to all East Anglia ex HMSO
people! The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship meets on the second Monday
of each month in the lounge of Doughty’s Hospital Golden Dog Lane (adjacent
to St Crispins) at 10am. Members mardle, blether, chat together or just enjoy a
cup of coffee for the first 15 minutes, then the speaker of the day takes over
and entertains us for around the next hour. A free raffle is then drawn and
prizes can be unusual or mundane. Group outings are held to places of interest
during summer and a Christmas lunch is organised each year. The speaker on
Monday 13 June is Neil Haverson, the well-known author of ‘Fortress H’
published each Saturday in the EDP. Come along and renew acquaintance with
ex-colleagues. Non civil service friends are welcome to the meetings.
Programme for the rest of the year is: 11 July ‘Experiences of a driving
examiner’; 8 Aug ‘Norfolk Wild Life Trust’; 12 Sep ‘Gilbert & Sullivan’ talk &
slides; 10 Oct Inter Group Quiz vs. Sprowston; 14 Nov Music & quiz from the
shows; 12 Dec Christmas party.
11 June 2005 — HMSO Roll of Honour by Stuart McLaren
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Following the publication of my book, Somewhere in Flanders, my next project
is to research and make available online details of the staff of His Majesty’s
Stationery Office who lost their lives in the First World War, 1914-1918. The
website ‘http://www.roll-of-honour.com/’ has kindly agreed to host this roll of
honour in their Norfolk pages.
I have been helped by staff at HMSO (or OPSI as it also now called) at St
Clement’s House, Colegate, Norwich, who allowed me to photograph the HMSO
Great War Roll of Honour brass plaque (some may remember it in the foyer of
Sovereign House or, before the disbursement, in Atlantic House).
I am posting my interest in this topic to HMSOldies with a list of the names on
the plaque, with the hope that there may be people out there with information
about these men (I assume they are all men!).
Here’s the list of 35 brave souls: J. W. Aldridge, Laurence Bedworth, Percy E.
Bowden, James C. Buck, John Callaghan, William Cavill, James R. Colley,
Arthur L. Cross, C. F. Davies, Michael Dobbin, Percy H. Elkin, G. H. Flemming,
John Ford, Henry Franklin, John Hall, William Hann, Arnold H. B. Harman,
Roland H. Harris, Henry L. Harrison, William Hogan, Leonard Jamieson,
Frederick T. Kennett, Charles W. Law, John Marshall, Samuel J. S. O’Connell,
Arthur L. Paine, Edward Roberts, William Robinson, Alexander Salmond, Ernest
Shaw, Joseph H. Sheppard, Sydney E. Silver, William C. Smith, Sydney Smith,
and A. Strutt.
25 June 2005 — Ken Gooderham
We were sad to hear of the death on 24 June 2005 of Ken Gooderham, who
joined HMSO from the Ministry of Defence as Deputy Controller and continued
to live in Norfolk with his wife Margaret and family following his retirement.
Peter Macdonald adds that Ken’s funeral will take place at 1300 hours on
Wednesday 6 July at St Mary’s Church, Burgh next Aylsham. Ken died following
what had appeared to be a successful heart operation; any donations made will
be split between the Church and Papworth Hospital.
1 July 2005 — Harry Todd
We have heard the sad news that Harry Todd has died suddenly on 29 June at
the age of 78. He had been fit and active, and had just completed a round of
golf when he collapsed. Harry joined HMSO in 1952, and progressed through the
ranks of Technical Services until his retirement.
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June 2005 — Social Diary
Spring is here, the schools are out but the sun is in, and it’s raining. A good
time to stay close to home, and so many did, with emails from Gerry Aldus,
Stuart McLaren, Jack Palmer and a telephone call from Jim Richardson (from
whom we have been promised a ‘Note from Manchester’ upon his return from
Canada). Ernie White made it out for a breather, and found it in the only
tobacconist left in Norwich. Bill Fisher, no longer with Work Study, was just
studying those going to work. Good to see Sue and Colin Ticktum out for a
Sunday walk in the occasional sun, and David Fullman inspecting the produce at
the Farmers’ Market. In Cromer, on the hottest day of the year thus far, Geoff
Dickinson was espied getting into his green Volvo. Our Ring Road correspondent
espied Harry Currie in the B&Q Garden Centre. He should have been in Cooke’s
buying new strings for his Fender: surely he is wielding his plectrum in this Ban
Aids or whatever they’re calling it this time?
Robin Nash is also still around Norwich, as are Tony Ivett, Tony Gamble, Jack
Keating, Brian Whitefield, Steve Johnson, all spotted on the same morning in
Norwich. And Alan Marrs, who tells me that he recently enjoyed lunch with
Cecil Hughes, Ruth Vivian and Bill Ford, who was on a rare visit from his home
in Kelso to celebrate his 80th birthday. I remember him as a young Training
Officer . . . Penny Mitchell joined HMSO in 1975 and worked as Personal
Secretary to Tony Gummett and George Gordon, among others in Britannia
House. She tells me that she is currently working in HM Revenue and Customs
and is looking forward to retirement in two years’ time.
The trouble with taking a week far away from the homeland is that you are
unlikely to spot many ex HMSO people. However, I did see the butcher from
Wymondham (no, not him — a real butcher — one of the best in the county,
noted for ham, pork cheese, and quality joints. And no, I don’t get free
dripping for the advert) and the man who used to buy his newspaper at the
same time as me from Alan Taylor’s shop. Fascinating, or what? More
fascinating is the news reported in the Eastern Daily Press dated Saturday 11
June under the heading ‘Local Honours’ (remember the day off we used to
have in June for HMQ’s Official Birthday?). ‘Jill Ward has been made an MBE for
her services to the public sector. The 54 year-old (these journalists have no
respect for a lady’s privacy ) who lives at Brundall has been a personal assistant
in the offshore division of the Health and Safety Executive in Norfolk for the
last seven years.’ She also worked in HMSO for some 25 years — possibly a year
or two more than her husband Brian Ward, who presumably takes the title
CMBEATL (Companion to the Member of the British Empire Awa’The Lads).
Sorry, I don’t get to hear much Newcastle patois since Sir Jackie Milburn
stopped doing those Brown Ale advertisements. Or am I thinking of Vic Reeves
and the Man with the Stick?).
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Some people can’t keep away from the media — the EDP carried a picture a
newly coiffured Mick Hardy with the words ‘ . . . both the Conservative and
Labour groups at Norfolk County Council are looking for political assistants
. . . Labour’s Mick Hardy steps down at the end of September . . . job adverts
for the £25,000 a year posts are expected shortly. Mr Hardy’s departure could
pave the way for his partner, Lakenham Councillor Sue Whitaker to stand as
group leader . . . many people feel that Ms Whitaker would have been the best
person to take over from Celia Cameron, who stood down at the election, but
Council rules bar people from working for their partners. Trevor Wainwright,
Labour Party deputy leader, said ‘we are obviously disappointed to lose Mick . .
. he has been a great asset to the party over the past few years.’ In the same
edition, Colin Harris gets a mention in his capacity as Chairman of Dereham
Operatic Society. They are producing a musical version of The Scarlet
Pimpernel and tickets can be obtained from ‘http://www.dosoc.co.uk/’. Later
in the month, a nice piece in the Norwich Evening News celebrating the
diamond wedding of Ron Smyth DFC and his wife Pauline. Ron joined HMSO in
1937 and was promoted HEO in 1961. He moved from Surrey to Norwich in
1968, subsequently transferring to CCTA. During the war he became a flight
lieutenant and flew Hurricanes with 111 Squadron in the Battle of Britain, and
spent time in Gibraltar
My contacts at the local smoking emporium were shocked to see the fire which
engulfed Ye Olde Tobacco Shoppe in Great Yarmouth tobacconist (about the
only shop unchanged in Regent Road), and any resident of Brooke must have
been alarmed at the eruption of a house in a quiet back street. The heat, my
dear, the people! Thank heaven the nights are drawing in . . . but then, in a
certain back garden off Unthank Road, both Gerry Lucioli and Alan Hynes
holding court (‘trust me, I’m a printer’) then Cecil Hedley Hughes in good form
on his way out of the only hardware shop left in this once proud City, now
given over to the moneymen with their so-called supermarkets, mobile
telephone emporia, coffee shops, fast food outlets, bland alcopop pubs, cheap
gambling parlours — and — and — sorry, that was meant for my Morning Star
column. If I don’t get some response to all this waffle things will only get
worse.
So where was I sitting when, through a glass darkly (how else would you see
anyone through a pint of Guinness?) I spotted, in order of crossing St Andrews,
Trevor Harris, Steve Walmsley, Barry Harper, Neil Brooksby, Pauline White,
Marian Maxwell, Nick Garde, Shergar, Jeanne Southgate, Alan Cole, Vince
Fitzgibbon, Del Styan, Eric Pointer, Steve Ward, Robin Kelly. And there was talk
of Mike Seppings (doing well in Reepham — back to school so that he can learn
to spell ‘Wastepaper sacks’ ‘Park Royal’ and ‘Enough Rubbish Jobs.’), Danny
Burns, Rodney Wade (sorry I couldn’t help with the cases on Thorpe Station
lads — the hands were full of essential supplies); Steve Shingles walking past
the station, and word of James P Wilson having celebrated the marriage of his
son in advance with British Rail champagne (or was it Scotch Mist?). I
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understand that Derek Regnier eventually made it out the door, which is where
I am about to find myself.
So that’s it for June-1119 words — you can have the 19 for nothing (I pay 10p
per 100 to get the other 1100 accepted — apply now and you can get the same
rate).
1-12 July 2005 — Social Diary
So what has this bate-breeder, bed-swerver, imperseverant rancid mome to
offer you this month? (In the unlikely event that you are in doubt as to the
meaning, take down from the shelves your copy of Rooke’s Shakespeare’s Dogs
and turn to page 15). As you may be able to tell, I have been asked to notch up
the literary content of this olla-podrida. Nurse, I’ve come over all Theroux.
We start with a report espied by John Eason in The Guardian dated 23 June
2005. The headline ‘Abbot hurt in Rome hit and run’ gave way to a story
whereby ‘The head of a community of Benedictine Monks in Kent has been
seriously injured in a hit and run incident in Rome. Father Laurence O’Keeffe
was struck by at least one motorcycle . . . as the 62 year old cleric lay
unconscious in the street, the riders fled . . . . Father O’Keeffe, Abbot of St
Augustine’s Abbey in Ramsgate was in Rome for celebrations to mark the
blessing of new clerics in his order. London born Father Laurence was ordained
in 1970 . . . and elected Abbot in 1996 . . .’. Older readers may remember the
Abbot as John O’Keeffe, who worked in Contracts Division, Atlantic House, in
the early 1960s.
Correspondence from Jean Storey, who was a Personal Secretary 1974-1996,
mainly in London and sometime working in that oft-forgotten corner of HMSO,
Golden Cross House. I remember having friendly discussions there with Ted
Smith, Peggy Drake and other SOGAT luminaries to a background of the 24
hour, day in day out chants of ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ from outside the South
African Embassy next door. Jean is in happy retirement in Cromer. John
Rumball reports recent contact with Vic White, who joined HMSO in 1967 after
31 years in the Board of Trade. Vic was EO/HEO in ITW/Finance and came to
Norwich with the advance party. One of the early photographs on the
HMSOldies site was taken from a Norwich Evening News article, and showed Vic
in Sovereign House in 1968. He is now, at 91, living in Devon and occasionally
visits his daughter in Norfolk.
The Norfolk Social Scene inevitably includes messing about on the river, or, as
the following correspondence from Roy Plackett indicates, missing a boat on
the river:
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‘Readers will no doubt like to know that the Poringland Pauper (Thomas G
Smith, class of ‘57) is alive and well and complaining that nobody buys him a
pint any more following a trouser-threatening boating calamity on the Norfolk
Broads after lunch with the Friday Club (see diaries passim) on the first day of
July. Our water-logged correspondent informs us that TG Smith’s life hung in
the balance as he gracefully sunk up to his money-belt in the River Bure. The
Friday Club, sinews and thews honed to perfection for such an event, snapped
into action like a coiled spring and, acting as one man, averted disaster. To the
casual observer it may have looked like an arcane Masonic ceremony when
Messrs Bradbury and Davie managed to secure his armpits, although the weight
of the Smith wallet greatly impeded the rescue. TG slowly emerged from the
deep, somewhat more crumpled and sodden than usual. Cecil Hedley Hughes
rushed to remove the dripping shoes and socks and offered, as it was
approaching Trafalgar Day, the Hardy-esque ìKiss of Lifeî. This was ungraciously
refused by TG, who compounded this rebuff by refusing to remove the stylish
Asda Deck Trousers for drying on the flagpole. Admittedly, some fairly large
seagulls were salivating overhead and sizing up possible delicacies on offer.
The official photographer, the rich man’s answer to Lord Lichfield Allan Reid,
missed a scoop in the melee as his camera again lacked both film and batteries
(he has only just upgraded from plate and magnesium flash, so it was only to
be expected). The Captain, who wishes to remain anonymous, supervised the
rescue and TG has promised to buy heavily. Not new trousers (he still retains
the innate economy of a Man of Durham despite his Poringland patois) but
drinks for the entire ship’s company for saving his life.’
Must get in on that.
As far as the local press is concerned, photographs of local grandees in
attendance at the Norfolk Show produced no HMSO connection other than a
shot of someone named Alan Cole, who has either suffered intensive plastic
surgery under the Witness Protection Scheme or someone has borrowed his
identity (he’ll be sorry when he sees the size of his slate in The Fat Cat). Mike
Betts was at the show, presiding over the Woodforde’s beer tent as a follow up
to his success at Glastonbury (selling beer again, not supporting Bananarama or
whoever featured this year). There was a letter in the Norwich Evening News
from one Tony Drewry of Alpington. Could it be the same AW Drewry who
bought offset-litho consumables so expertly in S4c before going to the rest
home for intellectuals that was CCTA? No mention of the heroic charity cycle
ride undertaken by a certain ex Director of Furniture, but I suppose that
London to Brighton is out of the range of local intereSt
On the streets, correspondents have spotted Devon and Sonya Williams, and a
fine collection of stage-door Johnies and Johnettes, including a CBE, at the
Cromer End-of-the-Pier show. Then, Let Joy Be Unconfined (a girl, since you
ask, 4 kilos plus, mother and daughter doing well) — who should be sashaying
along St George’s Street but the only lady I allow to touch my Number One
(haircut, you devils!) Karen Sullivan. My pleasure was compounded by the fact
that she was accompanied not only by a well-deserved pre-luncheon Woodbine
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but also by the fragrant Kathryn Daniels, a fellow HMSO employee. (There are
people out there who can turn out a decent phrase — where are you when I
need you?). We spoke for a while of brother Kevin Sullivan and our plans to
produce War of the Worlds — or anything starring Orson — sorry, Kevin. I think
things are getting out of hand. A correspondent espied Lewey Larendon (he still
works under a near-anagram for reasons we cannot divulge). By the way, Tony
Riordan is still in Norfolk, and — currently — Mike Gigg is not retiring from tSO
Nine Elms, despite being 70 next birthday (I’ll teach you not to reply to my
letters).
This very lunchtime it was suggested that these monthly meanderings are
becoming over-extended (‘You have delighted us enough, dear Editor.’ I can
take a hint) and that, like the author, they should be broken down and the
useless bits thrown out. So that’s it for now. Don’t forget to use transit
envelopes and to fill in your R30s.
10 July 2005 — Ivor R Hosgood MBE: Now the truth can be told
A new book, HMSO related — I’ll take you where the music’s playing — was
published on Sunday 10 July (the launch being held in Ivor’s house in Buxton).
The copiously illustrated volume, which is partly autobiographical and partly
essay, also contains contributions from four local poets and three prominent
churchmen (all with East Anglian connections) as well as the former and
present laureates, Sir John Betjeman and Andrew Motion. Other contributions
have been made by the national Foundation for Youth Music and Laka D. The
cost of production has been generously sponsored by Xerox (UK) Ltd and copies
at £9.95 include an 80 minute compact disc of some of Ivor’s favourite music.
They are being sold in aid of the Norfolk Youth Music Trust, which seeks to help
highly talented young people in their aim to become professional musicians.
More details are obtainable from the Secretary at 4 Church Close, Buxton,
Norwich NR10 5ER (tel: 01603 279742; email ‘mailto:info@norfolk-youth-musictruStorg.uk’.
Ivor adds that he has recently encountered ‘that rare animal, a Temporary
Printing Officer, in North Norfolk. John Riggott (whom some technical staff
may remember from the 1980s) moved with his wife Sue to the county’s North
coast from Hebden Bridge towards the end of 2004.’
12 July 2005 — Geoff Harper
A pleasing note from over the great pond — who remembers Geoff Harper? He
was a Pre-Press apprentice at Parliamentary Press, Mandela Way from 19891992 and worked on until 1994. He is very keen to contact his fellow apprentice
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John Ruchpal and Reg Couldry. He is currently in USA and would like their (or
others’) Email addresses.
13 July 2005 — Eric Hendry
We are sad to report the death of Eric Hendry, who lost his long battle with
cancer on 12 July. Eric was born in May 1945 and joined HMSO in 1968. He
worked in SSPP and other areas of Works/Production Division, eventually to
become Director of a free-standing Print business within HMSO. He moved from
London to Norwich and finally back home to Tyne and Wear. He leaves wife
Dorothy and two sons. John Eveson is in contact with Dorothy, should you wish
to pass on a message.
18 July 2005 — MPs worried about HMSO at last
Correspondent Fred Kennedy (ex DHSS) receives the Prospect Newsletter,
produced by the Union now incorporating IPCS. In June 2005, they followed up
the ‘HMSO disbanded’ theme (which also appeared in the Daily Mail , as
mentioned on this site) as follows: ‘The sound of glasshouses crashing could be
heard all over Westminster last month as Conservative MPs thundered in an
early day motion about their deep concern that HMSO had been downgraded
and given the new title of Office of Public Sector Information. They expressed
disquiet at the wiping out of Britain’s historic ties with royal institutions and
called on the government to re-establish the royal connection to HMSO.
Hilarious, really, from the party that privatised HMSO nine years ago and
changed the name of 99% of the organisation to The Stationery Office.’
Once again, the Head of Publishing Services has refuted this claim. He showed
me his visiting card, which proudly shows that Her Majesty’s Stationery Office
still appears (albeit third on the list to Cabinet Office and OPSI).
13-31 July 2005 — Social Diary
A correspondent we will refer to pseudonymously as D. Phroat confirms the
existence of The Jolly Tilers (see article in Memories). It was indeed a social
gathering between the elite of CSD/CCTA and ICL, the computer company
favoured by the then Government. Such favour was subsequently deemed to be
against best competitive practice and the Tilers (and eventually ICL) was
dispatched into history.
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Another correspondent, who is anything but a pseudonym, is Gordon Grant
Robbie (a first of April baby, I recall, and his parents knew something, giving
him Christian names of heroes of both the Gin and Whisky trades). Gordon has
just returned from holiday in western Scotland, and writes as follows: ‘I
managed to visit all eight distilleries on Islay in one day, with photographic
record to prove it. Is this a record? (note to Messrs MacCallum, Morris, Veitch,
Hamilton, Baptie, Currie,Ross and Pearson — plus of course Les Birch — this is
what is called a challenge). The eight are Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Bowmore,
Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich and Kilchoman. The latter is so
new that they are still building it (a bit of scaffolding doesn’t deter Gordon)
but they have already got their sign up and opened a distillery shop. They hope
to come to market in 2010. We were staying on the Mull of Kintyre near
Tarbert, which I can strongly recommend as a decent place to eat and drink,
with any amount of local fish, meat and distilled delight on offer. Just to
indulge another of my personal favourites, I am off to Wales in August for the
Brecon Jazz Festival. Keep up the good work with HMSOldies — better than
Cassandra and Simon Hoggart.’ Praise indeed. Incidentally, I await with
interest Gordon’s response to our two ‘mystery pictures’ from 1960 and 1964.
And on the subject of self-effacing Scots, it was a pleasure to be hailed from
the inside of a Norwich Barber’s shop by Harry Currie, looking as young and
hairy as ever (if that doesn’t persuade him to send me that promised item,
nothing will). Also pounding the highways, Brian Lambirth in a near-vintage
Mini van, painted a most elegant yellow (I didn’t catch the pantone number);
Michael Graves (I didn’t catch the pantone number of his socks either). In
London, with Brian Ekers (taking a turn back in England from Spain) was Bob
Rice (a well known contractor in his days with 3M and Formara). He was seen
enjoying his retirement job (still repping but closer to home in Huntingdon).
And who should appear on the television one Tuesday night? Chris Gould, who
was in Supplies for a while, made a commendable appearance on Mastermind,
and on a proper specialist subject too. Jack Keating on good form, talking of
another trip to America; Sheila Blowers, Ruth White on their way to St Crispins
and Dave Higenbottam, Andy Williams, Robin Kelly all escaping for a few
minutes. Peter Lince boasting deck trousers and a new haircut (his first words
to me were ‘it’s getting huge!’ (luckily he was referring to HMSOldies). Peter
still sees Ray Dineen and Colin Harris, the ageing juvenile lead from Dereham.
Granville Reed hailed me on his daily walk down that saddest of Norwich
highways, Magdalen Street. Alright, St Augustine’s might be sadder. And don’t
get me started on newly-constructed shopping malls. And new buildings for the
Home Office, DEFRA or whichever Government Department is listed to move to
Norwich? Put them in Sovereign and Gildengate, the grandest of Civil Service
accommodation a few decades ago. Why, Sovereign House gained the accolade
of being voted second ugliest building in East Anglia (after the Fakenham
Happy Eater, if I remember rightly). But (as usual) I must be wrong. A magazine
entitled Summer in Norwich 2005 drops through the door with the Eastern Daily
Press. I quote: ‘Anglia Square has been providing excellent shopping in Norwich
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since 1966, when it was built to provide shopping and leisure facilities for the
staff of HM Stationery Office
. . . shoppers can start the day with a mouth-watering breakfast from one of
the many cafés overlooking the flowery square, then take their time over the
many shops around the centre . . . As well as offering a huge variety of shops
and restaurants, Anglia Square is within 30 seconds walk of popular Magdalen
Street (which) has become famous for its niche market of antique shops and
stalls earning it the title of the ‘Portobello Road’ of Norwich, catering for the
eagle-eyed bargain spotter as well as the seasoned collector . . . ‘ Sounds like
just the place for a holiday. Wonder if the Cat and Fiddle does rooms?. A late
note from an incredibly busy but boiling-with-rage Marguerite Finn arrives just
before the deadline. The reason for her rage? An anonymous letter in the
Norwich Evening News commenting on the proposed influx of civil servants into
Norwich (see above) in the following terms ‘ . . . what possible advantage can
there be in bringing to this county hundreds of useless civil servants who
produce no wealth at all and merely create problems by their obsession with
regulations and red tape . . . their presence . . . would exacerbate . . . road
congestion and car-parking facilities.’ And so on. To the rescue comes
Marguerite, with a vigorous defence of ‘the best civil service in the world’ and
the influence of HMSO staff in Norfolk over the past 37 years. I wonder if they
will print it, and if the writer of the letter (one of the legions of Norwich carpark obsessive, no doubt) will reveal himself (must be a man, surely?).
A welcome note from Peter McAuley sends good wishes from Dan Lavery (tSO
Belfast) and Pat Catney (alright, he didn’t work for HMSO, but he ran The
Kitchen Bar, the best pub in the vicinity of IDB House if not the whole six
counties). John Straghan is currently Premises Officer for NI Court Service;
Walter Roberts has now retired from the wedding stationery business; Esther
Murdock (Esther Deyermond as was) is with Banner BelfaSt We are due a visit to
Belfast in September, and will report back. Any messages? Who wants some
dulce, or a bag of yellow man? Barbara Robbins joined HMSO in 1968 and was
top of the tree of Personal Secretaries when she left in 1996. She still sees
Mary Weatherhead, Beryl Deane, among others, and tells me that Mary
Robinson is currently back in England on holiday from Australia (perhaps she
wants to see the cricket team seen off in style?). Also correspondence from
John and Gloria Flynn, recalling Pay Duty: ‘There was a cunning mechanism
called the ‘secret total’ whereby the cashier would maintain an amount known
only to himself. At the end of filling the packets, the amount over had to be
exactly right, to prevent the temptation to slip in 1d or two into a packet, if
short. Then off in the SO van to the wilds of Colindale etc.’ They also have
copies of the notorious Not the Publishing News, and Internal Audit Quotable
Quotes, 1982-87. Could be interesting. And an email from Esther Mackay, one
of we few ITW survivors (must have a reunion in The Cornwall Arms) who is
currently with DFES in Victoria. She also keeps up with Bill Baggs (last seen at
Nine Elms?).
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Who is featured in the national and local press during the dog days of July?
Chris Stiven only stayed with HMSO for a couple of years — BS Marketing from
1994 — and is now running her own PR firm, which entitles her to a Lifestyle
column in the local paper. She still manages more social activity in a weekend
than I can remember achieving in a year. On the other hand, who would have
thought that MJM Salt, that most cerebral of officers, would write to the Daily
Telegraph and include the words ‘ . . . able to identify pink Uggs, let alone
fake pink Uggs . . .’ Anyone interested in the reasons for this outburst should
consult the Telegraph for 20 July. Sorry, Mike — it must be our age: I have just
sent my (first ever) message to the BBC. Regarding Mark Lamarr. Don’t ask. By
the way, the headline on the back page of my Sunday newspaper proclaimed
‘Freeman Destroys Wexford.’ Has our ex-Controller introduced Quality Circles
into the Irish demolition business? It appears not — I take the Irish Independent
and it was some sporting event. Someone else appearing in the Daily Telegraph
is the Tory leadership contender, David Davis: ‘At 56, he comes-as he puts it —
from ‘an older generation.’ He did not change nappies, opting instead to teach
his children to ski and scuba-dive to make them brave.’ Good grief.
D Davis (and Mike Sarne, né Micky Scheuer, and Sir William Armstrong, né little
Billy Armstrong, and Jim Berry, né ADF1, if you will allow a few names to drop)
all went to Bec school in Tooting, as did I. Davis was three years my junior, so I
did not know him (although I very much hope he was one of the ‘weeds’ thrown
into the water tank during initiation rituals). He must have been taught by
those new wave teachers: I am still changing nappies, even though they are my
own, and wouldn’t know a scuba if I dived for one. Is this getting too selfindulgent? I really hope so.
*****
August 2005 — One hundred and fifty days
The first of August 2005 marks 150 days of the HMSOldies website. Endless
pages of Information Circulars; 21 pages of Memories, from the 1948 memoirs
of David Roberts through synopses of 1977 Information Circulars (all those
promotion boards!), right through to the present day. There are currently 74
Pictures , the earliest from 1914, and 15 people have been brave enough to
kick off the ‘Where are they now and where have they been?’ People section.
Some very interesting correspondence has already been received from Canada,
France, USA, Australia, Edinburgh, Belfast, London, Norwich. More from
Bristol, Manchester, Gateshead, the old HMSO Regional Branches, Warehouses
and Presses, Basildon, Cairo, BIS New York (c/o Messrs Furn and Rhodes); the
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lucky soul who did firewatch at Keysign House and anyone who survived a night
out with Stan Smith, Marge Todd and John Doherty in The Barley Mow or The
Craven Club would be excellent.
We hope to encourage correspondence from far and wide by any means
possible in an effort to keep the Editor’s ramblings under control. To this end,
there will henceforth be a prize for the Letter of the Month. The unique aspect
of this alluring offer is that the writer can nominate the prize he/she wishes to
receive. I can’t wait to read your responses. By the way, whatever you ask for,
the prize is likely to be a pint in the Norwich Fat Cat. Unless your idea sounds
better.
So if you have not accessed the site recently, please do so — if only to express
your outrage at the Social Diary for 13-31 July which appears in the Information
Circular section. Please send in your photos, reminiscences, scandals, and
Enemies Reunited stuff. I can ensure anonymity if necessary.
And it’s all free.
6 Aug 2005 — A piece of HMSO history for sale, for £21,600,000
Hot on the heels of the July article in the Eastern Daily Press supplement
extolling the wonders of Anglia Square, on 6 August the newspaper printed an
article headed Anglia Square goes on market for £21.6m — owner admits
shopping and office complex needs redevelopment.
Chris Starkie’s EDP article continues: ‘ . . . Anglia Square includes a shopping
centre, two large empty office blocks, a Hollywood cinema, and a collection of
car parks . . . (it) generates an income of £1.2m from tenants . . . the ten acre
site . . . attracts about 200,000 visitors a week. The office blocks on the site —
Sovereign House and Gildengate House — remain empty and are acknowledged
as two of the biggest blots on Norwich’s landscape. Sovereign House was built
in 1968 for the Stationery Office following its relocation from London. The
building, which is more than 100,000 sq.ft., has not been occupied for more
than five years and is in bad repair. It was caught up at the centre of a
Parliamentary row after the Cabinet Office was saddled with a £1m bill for
repairs and liability for rent. The Government, however, bought itself out of
these liabilities. Four years ago Quintain proposed a scheme to redevelop
Sovereign House and rename it Aurum House. Norwich City Council has more
recently considered converting it into an hotel. Gildengate House was formally
the home of the county archives which relocated to new premises at County
Hall in 2003. It has been empty ever since. The site also includes a 750 space
multi-storey car park and a neighbouring surface which are both currently let
to NCP, as well as a number of other parcels of land used as car parking by RCP
and vacant derelict land on Edward Street and Botolph Street.’
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Interesting. Must have a word with the lady from Limerick who won all that
money on the Euro Lottery. She might be interested in a project to turn it all
into a ‘HMSO Theme Park’ along the lines of Alton Towers. Extreme
Paperkeeping, Dodge the Pay Duty, HEO Ducking, Guess the Weight of the
Paperclips, Stop the Leaks in the Computer Block, Poke the Printer, Tea Trolley
Slalom — could be on to a winner.
6 Aug 2005 — Friday Club Frolics
‘The Friday Club’ (see previous article and pictures) visited the CAMRA London
Beer Festival at Olympia, courtesy of an award-winning Norfolk brewery.
Ringleader Plackett started the day in the coach at 7.45am by quaffing a pint
of ‘Wherry’ , followed by many hot sausages and further liquid refreshment en
route. A rather unusual female passenger promoted the merits of beer drinking
in a voice more suited to a company sergeant major than a quiet coach ride!
Many pleasant memories of the day survive even though one Peter Bradbury
left his admission ticket at home and had to grovel to obtain a replacement
from the Ringleader. Most members had almost sobered up by the time the
coach dropped us off at the Park & Ride. Ask Peter to explain why his car was
the only one locked in the car park overnight! Cecil H. Hughes
7 August 2005 — An apology: Ernie Downs
Sir, Having nothing better to do I have been getting up to date on the
information (gossip) in your invaluable? publication. Looking at the photograph
of the last Friday in the month group and accompanying text I find that I am
mentioned but that my name has been spelt incorrectly. I may sue. E Downs
Dear Mr Downs, Profuse apologies for this unforgivable solecism. I wondered
where I had put that spare letter ‘e’. No doubt we will also receive a
Solicitor’s letter from Mr Downes, whoever he is. R Walker (Editor).
18 August 2005 — Shirley Zagaglia
We are sad to record the Norwich Evening News report on 17 August concerning
the death of Shirley Zagaglia on 11 August 2005. Shirley joined HMSO in
Norwich in 1978, and spent most her time as a Support Officer in Business
Supplies.
27 August 2005 — From Tony Garrett
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I worked briefly in Atlantic House in the early 1970s under Peter Branfield, so
one or two photos on the site have been very evocative indeed. I came across
the site after wondering if Peter was still around, and found many old friends
there, particularly remembering Nodge Carnegie, Philip Marriage, Bobbie
Westaway and, of course, Dave Challis (with whom I still exchange Christmas
cards, though I haven’t seen him for some years). I am still grafting at The
Times, so if you read the newspaper you will inevitably see recent examples of
my work, maps, drawings etc. But I must say that the typographic training I had
at Atlantic House has stood me in good stead over the years, even in the
computer age. My very best wishes to anyone who remembers me and a special
message to Philip Marriage: do you still go for the pollo cacciatori?’
(This correspondence prompted some vigorous nostalgia from Messrs Garratt,
Marriage and Arnoldi, will tales involving impressions of the vocal talents of
Peter Pears, exploding Cow Gum tins etc. Tony has friends in Norwich, and
visits occasionally, so watch out for him. Ed)
30 Aug 2005 — Monthly miscellany
Not the Publishing News
During the early 1990s a small group (possibly as small as a single HEO) of
Publications staff with what we might call a less than respectful attitude to
Management and all its latest works produced an underground magazine for
circulation among like-minded souls. John Flynn was working in Internal Audit
at the time, and doubtless acquired a copy by way of official investigation. The
photocopy quality is too poor to reproduce, so if anyone has a good copy and
wants to see some of it on HMSOldies, please contact the Editor. Meanwhile,
we reproduce an item entitled ‘Phrases Teaser:’ ‘Who said that, or who
regularly says that? That’s our teaser for this edition.
Put names to the following phrases:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
With the best will in the world and with the deepest respect . . .
No overtime!
Our response should be provocative and action-centred.
They’re just not listening!
Hang on a minute — I’ve got to bale out this little lot.
If you go to the Friendly Lodge it will be seen that you are interested
in the organisation.
I will pay you back, Emily.
Well, they can stuff it. I’m really at my wits end!
. . . . and I’m doing an NVQ . . .
The proofs are in the post
Don’t worry — by the time you reach the top of your pay ladder and
have little or no headroom, we will have something else in place.
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12
. . . I didn’t realise I had an action point . . .
The answers to this quiz sadly do not show the name of the officer responsible
for the first quotation, but the others are attributed as follows. By the way,
the Management of HMSOldies cannot be held responsible for any scurrilous,
vengeful or plainly incorrect attributions made by the thankfully anonymous
Editor of NTPN.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Illegible
Jim McGregor
Chris Southgate.
Peter Wall (has this anything to do with ‘Walls have Ears’ or am I
reading too much into all this?).
Phillip Brooks.
Hilary Lynn.
Pat Walsh (as Coronation Street’s Shamir — obviously an in-joke
among in-jokes).
Most Publishing staff.
Jim Wretham (at least it did him some good — he’s one of the few
left with HMSO).
Steve Ward (and he’s still saying it).
Eddie Perry.
John Hudson.
Infernal Audit
John Flynn’s annals also includes a list of Internal Audit staff. There are 47
names on the list, which does not go back as far as the days when Bill Lyon
worked to Peggy Page (still living in Poringland, I hear) and before, nor indeed
the New Audit days of Graham Heaford (currently with C&E Felixstowe, I
think). In date order, with no frills as my fingers are getting tired and want to
get themselves around a late-night Guinness and Horlicks, they are as follows,
from 1964-1989: McGarry, Dungate, Burgess, McGregor, Bracken, Fullman,
Burberry, DK Morgan, Lewendon, MF Wilson, Pirouet, MJ Betts, DK Coleman, JF
King, AA Wilde, Seppings, AG Moore, Prochera, Low, Slaughter, Higenbottam, C
Jones, Bullock, JL Betts, JW Rose, Hacker, Evison, Flynn, PS Griffiths, Ms JJ
Archer, Howes, Milburn, Riches, Ms C Buddery, C Wood, D Carter, Billings, JB
Roberts, J Rowe, Lewendon (typically he returned for another dose), Ms J
Helbich, J Watts, Gollop, Graves, Larby, S Allen, Ms J Drake, Ricketts.
Where are they all now, and do some of them still wear the Deacon Brodie ties
on Fridays for fear of having to buy heavily in the bar?
Peter John Bradbury- 70 not out (but hardly ever in)
Peter joined HMSO Print as a ‘Post-War Open Examination Entrant on 20
February 1961 (the same day as Terry Whiston). On 30 August 2005 he
celebrated his 70th birthday, and a few days before that he was invited to buy
drinks for the Friday Club. Naturally, there was a near 100% attendance for this
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event. Roy Plackett also attended a birthday dinner for Peter at the King’s
Head, Hethersett, on 27 August, and writes as follows:
‘Many old pals reflected upon the countless stories that saw our ‘Bradders’
overcoming disasters with hilarious consequences. Some great tales were
retold, surely reflecting the hopeless optimism of the man, and would rival
‘Fawlty Towers’ if turned into a television sitcom. How he survived thus far in
one piece defies all the odds, and lesser men would have sunk without trace!
He has now reached legendary status.
The Friday Club rendered a nautical ditty, penned by TG Smith and Bradders
was seen to wipe away a tear or two, which perhaps was unjustified as
members were only a shade under-rehearsed, and allowance should be made
for inebriation. During the performance, the Bradbury family looked on in deep
trauma and observed proceedings with mutual incomprehension, as if they had
left the real world behind them. However, the Friday Club felt that they had
introduced some culture to the event, and much backslapping was observed on
their way back to the bar. Jim and Ross Richardson made the ‘do’ from
Manchester and Jim, who was also 70 in June, managed to collect sponsorship
money for a sky diving parachute jump, which involves freefall speeds of
around 120mph. This takes place on 4 September, and the mad fool will report
how it went later.
A great night that lived up to expectations. Cheers, Bradders!’
What the Papers Say
Nothing much in the newspapers this month as regards HMSO staff. We hope
that our Cuttings Service has not dissuaded them from writing to the Press
(certainly hasn’t for Marguerite Finn, who now has her own website). However,
the following item was spotted in an article on the open-air screening of films
outside the Norwich Forum in the Eastern Daily Press on 19 August 2005:
‘Alfred Wiggins, 67, of Norwich — on his way home from a night out — thought
it an excellent idea.’ You’re not safe anywhere these days, are you Alf?
Ivy Lee Notches Up Ninety
The legendary Mrs A Ivy Lee joined HMSO in May 1941, as a ‘34,000 Scheme
Entrant.’ Although Ivy spent much of her time in Publications, the April 1952
Staff List shows that she was then a Clerical Officer in Supplies, listed on the
same page as George Redman, Sid Greig, Bert Diver, Arthur Aldersley, Frankie
Day, Ernie Thorp, Ron Barker, Mavis McGillvray, Paddy Epstein, Pat Walsh, Dick
Laundy, John Nash, Len Reinbach . . . Luckily I can’t remember all the stories
Joe Delaney told me on our Mundesley course in 1975. However, I am sure that
many were told at her celebratory party. Judy Tassell reports: ‘Ivy’s birthday
party was very well attended, but unfortunately we (Judy and John) were the
only HMSO people there. The other guests invited were away on holiday at the
time, so we had to fly the flag and of course drink her health in Champagne
(many times) on their behalf. It’s tough, but someone had to do it. Despite
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having hip and eye operations in recent years, Ivy appears to be in excellent
form and still goes to meet her friends regularly to play bridge. She still drives,
although only locally and in daylight, and still lives in her flat in Sidcup. She
tells me that she started work for HMSO in Princes Street in Westminster, but
was soon relocated to Keysign House, which she says was a very popular move
with the staff as it was situated opposite Selfridges.’
*****
1 September 2005 — Brian Daniels: Thirty Years On
What were you doing in 1975? Watching the first episodes of The Sweeney and
The Good Life on television? Listening to the UK entry for Eurovision Song
Contest — Let Me Be The One by The Shadows. It came second, since you ask.
We were liked by most of Europe in those days. Or were you dancing to the
Number One hits of the year, including If by Telly Savalas; Bye Bye Baby by the
Bay City Rollers; Sailing by Rod Stewart; Whispering Grass by Windsor Davis and
Don Estelle; Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. Speaking of The Queen, that is just
what Brian Daniels was doing in 1975: enlisting into the service of The Queen
by joining HMSO (Norwich) on 1 September. He has remained in Print ever
since, transferring to tSO upon privatisation, and he generously celebrated the
event by inviting friends and colleagues past and present to mark the occasion.
His first Technical Officer, Peter Staples made it, as did other retirees — Joe
Bishop, Bob Nelson, David Berwick, Derek Regnier, John Payne, Reg Walker. A
solitary representative from today’s HMSO was Lynda Marshall, and from
current tSO Julie Pointer, Liz Hart, Michele Staple, Nodge Carnegie, Phil Wilks,
Jim Marshall, Steve Ward, Tony Johnson, Mike Yemm, Paul Harvey.
Representative Astron-auts were Cathy Mason, Sandy Butt, Ian McCall, Dave
Owen, John Rollason. Apologies for those I missed — the glare from Brian’s
solid gold commemorative pocket watch blinded me. Or was it from his pint
glass?
Others could not make it due to Annual Leave, the need to keep their jobs, or
plain forgetfulness. I know why Corinne Barker was not there — I saw her in
Sainsbury’s later in the afternoon (I did not make myself known, as I always
wear a bag over my head when I’m in there).
Steve Ward — Half a lifetime with HMSO/tSO
A good week for what, to some, might be called the tSO Annex, with yet
another celebration (good to see a firm still capable of celebrating the work
ethic). This time it was Steve Ward, ex professional footballer, current
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professional printer. Unbelievably, he reached the age of 50. If you think he
looks young for his age, you should see his wife Jayne, who added some
sophistication to the event, with their seven year old daughter Molly. Steve
joined HMSO 25 years ago, so he now knows where half of his life has gone.
I turned up late, and things were in full swing. Many of the attendees at the
Brian Daniels event were there — Jim Marshall, Phil Wilks, Paul Harvey, Joe
Bishop, Bob Nelson, Mike Yemm and Tony Johnson Also conspicuous were Robin
Kelly, Ian Carter, Alan Low, Pauline White, Corinne Barker, Keith Champ, Steve
Whitnell (up from Nine Elms), Darren Rayner and Liz Hart plus several friends
not connected with either HMSO, tSO or even Print . . . Good to keep up your
outside contacts. You never know.
14 September 2005 — St Crispins, Norwich
An unexpected invitation to sample the excellent wares still provided by Nigel
in the Atrium at St Crispins had me thinking that they might want me (as Vice
Chairman of the Pipe Club of Norfolk) to perform the official opening ceremony
for new bus-shelter style Smoking Ghetto strategically placed in the car park
and ideally situated as a night shelter for local itinerants. But no. They seem to
be waiting for Ken Clark to do the honours as part of his forthcoming
Leadership tour.
The entrance hall has been remodeled splendidly, doubtless reducing Robin
Kelly’s budget to nothing more than a bag of golf balls. Speaking of Office
Services personnel, I am pleased to report that Sean Cooper got married this
Summer, and is happily commuting by bike and train from Lowestoft to keep
the building from sinking under its weight in disposables.
My visit coincided with a report in the Eastern Daily Press headlined Bosses set
for shares sell-off: strong set of half-year results at office supplies firm. The
firm in question is Office2office, sometime Banner Business Supplies. HMSO
used to call it Business Supplies. Or Supplies. Or Supply Division.
The article continued: Directors and senior managers . . . yesterday announced
their intention to sell part of their multi-million pound shareholding . . . with
pre-tax profits up 19% at £5.7m before share option and exceptional costs, on
turnover up 5% at £75.5m. The business floated in June 2004 and since then its
shares have risen strongly from 178p to 284.5p, valuing the company at some
£105m. Directors and senior managers currently held 23.8% of the total share
capital and intended to sell up to a quarter of that holding. Mr Peck (Chief
Executive) said that the company had taken 5000 sq.ft. of extra space at its
Norwich HQ to cope with the growth in staff numbers. Office2office now
employs 250 people in Norwich and a further 555 across the UK.
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The HMSO staff list dated 1 April 1990 shows Supplies Division with total staff of
516 out of an office-wide total of 2223.
17 September 2005 — Doreen Luer
The sad news that Doreen Luer had died, aged 87, was reported in the Norwich
Evening News on 21 September. A private family cremation followed by a
Thanksgiving service for Doreen’s life was held at Bowthorpe Road Methodist
Church, Norwich, on Thursday 29 September 2005. Doreen joined HMSO in
October 1936, and was a stalwart member of Establishments/PS Division
following dispersal to Norwich.
20 September 2005 — From Pat Kennedy
Dear Reg, Firstly my congratulations to you and your web development team
for a superb effort in producing the HMSOldies website and for your editorial
excellence in stringing together all the contact messages of contributors in
such a readable format.
I am grateful to Jack Palmer, a former Deputy Director in Print Procurement,
for letting me know of the existence of the HMSOldies website. Jack was a
prolific cartoonist contributor to the pages of SO Review for several years. He
cartooned under the guise of various non-de plumes while I tried unsuccessfully
to emulate him, but produced a drawing rather than a cartoon, under the pen
name of YorkY (my identity revealed at last!). During my eleven years served in
Norwich in Print Procurement and Supply divisions, I served for three years as
the General Secretary, Staff Side (GSSS), succeeding Harry Teedon. It proved to
be a very hectic post-dispersal period, following the highly successful dispersal
from London operation in 1968. Publishing the monthly SO Review gave the
Staff Side and a succession of Editors some many headaches in dragging copy
out of reluctant contributors. Contrary to popular belief, the editorial page
was the responsibility of the GSSS who had to burn midnight oil at home to
produce a factual and interesting piece. I recall on one occasion having to
provide the Editor with copy for eight of the twenty-four pages. In those days
the magazine was printed by Leslie Pierce a retired HMSO Printing Officer, who
produced each issue on a letterpress machine in his garage!
I hope your memory banks and those of your readers can just about remember
me! I faded from the Norwich scene in 1979 on promotion to Manchester,
succeeding Jim McDonald as Assistant Director Manchester under Richard Dunn.
A succession of Manchester directors seemed to flow above me in the twelve or
so years I remained in post (longer than Margaret Thatcher served as Prime
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Minister), including Bob Norris, George James, Alan Cole, George Rokhar and
Alex Mackie, who finally saw me off at my retirement do in October 1992 after
33 years with HMSO. My wife and I moved to St Albans in 1995 to live nearer to
our daughters. Best wishes, Pat Kennedy.
21 September 2005 — From Pat Kennedy
Dear Reg, Thank you for stirring my memories of a bygone, but exciting age
with HMSO. I have looked up the Christmas 1968 Review — the cover drawing
still brings a smile to my face. Philip Marriage may recognise the Letraset
letters that Graphic Design gave me on one occasion (used offcut sheets with a
few letters left on unused), I used the offcuts, shading etc in several
subsequent cartoons. Now that you know the identity of YorkY you will be able
to cull all my drawings done for the Review over about a five or six year period
from the late 60s to the mid 70s. I still hold most of the originals and might
look up some of my favourites for submission to you for possible use. Best
wishes from Pat Kennedy.
*****
October 2005 — Unsolicited Recommendations
It’s getting to that boring time of year when we slap on the goose-fat and sew
ourselves into the Winceyette undergarments. Or is that just me? Anyway, we
thought it might be useful to set out recommendations for Accommodation,
Restaurants, Bars etc. (UK and overseas) which might be of interest to those
among us who have to travel away from their own kitchens on occasion. No
commercial advertisements will be accepted, and no liability for food
poisoning, overcharging, fleabites etc encountered.
To kick off, most of you will know that, as regards central London, the Civil
Service Club in Great Scotland Yard offers excellent accommodation / food /
drink, as does the Union Jack Club in Waterloo — anyone who has ever served
in HM Forces or any Government Department is entitled to stay there, as I did
recently (excellent double room £89 per night — breakfast extra). The
Waterloo/Cut/Lower Marsh/Doon Street area has been smartened up/spoilt
depending on your point of view, but the Evening Standard had it right in
recommending Masters Superfish of 191 Waterloo Road (keep going southwards
from The Old Vic): This is a traditional fish and chip emporium just south of
Waterloo station. Large portions and good light batter. Good enough to have
become a favourite stop-off on the way to the West End (020 7928 6924). I was
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last there some 10 years ago, and went again in October 2005. Best f&c I’ve
had for ages — mushy peas, wallies, onions, reasonably priced bottle of house
wine, huge piece of cod, friendly and incredibly speedy service. The place was
full (but not too full) of taxi drivers, couriers, and families going to The Old
Vic. And reasonably priced. There was so much that it took me half an hour to
get my post-prandial pint of Guinness through it in The White Hart, Cornwall
Road. Too much information?
And while you are down that way, Borough Market, a thriving quality food
market open on Fridays and Saturdays with stalls specialising in organic
produce, delicatessen, cheese, wines, meats, game, fish, and imported foods;
Spitalfields Market (breakfast at the S&M café, with bubble and squeak) and
The Imperial War Museum (memories of WW2 evacuation — very evocative) are
all very much worth a visit.
2 October 2005 — From Barry Palmer in Canada
Hi guys, hope by now you saw the picture of Jan and myself at Niagara Falls
this summer, it was a real thrill meeting after our first meeting 46 years ago
and there was a lot of history to discuss. It also appears that we both spent
some time this summer travelling and in spite of the heat wave we both
managed to find heavy rain. The five of us went to Thunder Bay at the western
tip of Lake Superior as we had never been that way before and it took two days
of driving to get there. I took the opportunity to give Bonnie some driving
lessons towing our 26-foot trailer and she did very well. Scenery is marvelous
up there but the wild life was hiding from us all except for one lonely wolf. We
also went to an Indian pow-wow on the way back — very interesting. It is a
treat to get away from the traffic, as it is very congested around Toronto, just
like London. My son came back from B.C. and is now living with us, with his
dog, which is like a small horse. He drives tractor-trailers and thought he might
get more work here and he would also like to get back into computers. I seem
to have hurt my back gardening and it is affecting my left leg as well so I’m
having trouble walking too far at the present. Two kids are back at college and
one at high-school now — seems to be never-ending (school), not like when we
were growing up and went to work at 15-16. I should have more time as
retirement is approaching very fast (15 months). Hope you all great summers.
Barry
October 2005 — From Dave Poole
Reg, Met Roy and Brenda Plackett here in Spain in October and was informed of
the HMSOldies website, so you can expect some input from me from time to
time. Had a few drinks with Roy [photo], tried to teach him how to order beer
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in Spanish. I think its going to take a while, he seems to be a slow learner —
could be short term memory loss of course. Once I have digested all the
information on the website I will be in touch. Adios, Dave Poole.
4 October 2005 — HMSOldies Worldwide
I have little understanding of the Black Art that is computer technology, but
there is a website which tells us how many ‘hits’ the site has received over a
given period. I know that there is a strong element of ‘robot’ access, mainly
from the USA, which is used to send us unwanted (if not unwelcome)
advertisements for what, for propriety’s sake, I will call ‘Gentlemen’s Aids’ but
surely that does not account for the widespread interest indicated by the
following statistics taken during the month of August 2005:
USA: 1443 hits*
Great Britain: 659 hits
Sweden: 41 hits
Canada: 8 hits
Australia: 6 hits
Saudi Arabia: 6 hits
Poland: 5 hits
Ivory Coast: 3 hits
Uruguay: 2 hits
Philippines, Brunei, Bahrain, Pakistan, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates,
Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Senegal — one hit each.
Surely we can’t have ex HMSO people in all of these countries? If not, why the
interest? We would very much like to know. I might even conduct a world tour
to all the places involved, on expenses of course, if HMSOldies Management
insiSt Or perhaps I should just visit Ireland, France, Italy and Greece to find out
why they haven’t bothered. And why hasn’t Albert During told his relatives in
The Gambia about us?
*Some of the hits that appear to come from the USA are likely to be users of AOL and other ISPs
(Internet service providers) that route the traffic via the USA. [RWS]
4 October 2005 — Stationery Office Golf Society
Gordon Robbie writes in to identify his Uncle Norman and Aunt Wilhelmina
(both ex ITW Cornwall House in the early 1960s when the ‘mystery dancing
couple‘ were photographed by Brian Whitefield).
Gordon adds: ‘I see a piece from Brian Puplett in which he refers to me as the
‘big-hitting Secretary’ of the Stationery Office Golf Society. Flattery will get
that boy anywhere! It leads me to record, however, never being one to hide my
light under a bushel, that I recorded a winning 40 Stableford points at the
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recent tSO Golf Society meeting at Reymerston, including a brilliant birdie four
at the par five 18th — a long straight drive right up the middle, a brilliant three
iron to the edge of the green, a delicate chip and run to three feet and a single
putt. That was on a Friday, however, and Sick transit gloria Monday. C’est la
vie.
Incidentally, the Golf Society would welcome new members from among the
HMSOldies readership, if any of them feel inclined. An approach to me for
details would be very welcome. We have had our last meeting for this season,
but 2006 is in the planning stage, and new faces would be very welcome at our
AGM in the Royal Norwich Club House on 23 November 2005 at 1800 hours.’
13 October 2005 — HMSO Old Boys
The annual lunch meeting of the somewhat disparate and (some might say)
politically incorrect group known as HMSO Old Boys was held in October, with
23 in attendance.Tributes were paid to three members no longer with us:
Archie Foote, Eric Hendry and Ken Gooderham. Our ‘father of the house’ Jim
Turner (his first pram was purchased in 1911) is currently at home, recovering
after being hospitalised. (Alex Smith tells me that Jim’s son has introduced him
to the HMSOldies site, so if you are reading this Jim, all the best to you!) Other
Seniors such as Les Birch and George Furn could still also teach the younger
ones present some tricks.
23 October 2005 — From Pat Kennedy
Dear Reg, Making my weekly visit to HMSOldies website in anticipation of your
update, I came across my old friend Harry Teedon’s contribution [see
Memories: Mixing with the Mighty] of some months ago in which he recalls
attending a senior management seminar. He mentions that he and I were
representing the staff side of HMSO and that I used to cycle up and down the
Lancashire hills for exercise. Harry must be doting in his old age because it was
the Yorkshire Dales and hills that I cycled up and down for exercise. Lancashire
does not have any hills worth mentioning, apart from The Trough of Bowland
between Clitheroe and Lancaster and a few bumps around Oldham approaching
the Pennines. Your date for the senior management seminar held in 1969 was
reasonably accurate: it was actually held shortly after my appointment on April
Fool’s Day 1970 as the General Secretary Staff Side (GSSS not SSGS). I
succeeded Harry in the post, who had served for three years 1967-70, during
the hectic period of Dispersal from London to Norwich. Harry provided valuable
continuity for the Staff Side by serving as the President of Staff Side for a
further three years (1970-73). Regards, Pat Kennedy
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26 October 2005 — From Jeanne Southgate
I wonder if the Oldies website could give some publicity to the ‘Original
Norwich Charity Christmas card shop’ which I (and nearly 100 other volunteers)
are working in from now until Christmas? The ‘shop’ has been going since 1966
basing itself in whatever empty shop the volunteers could find and negotiate
temporary residence with the owners. Last year it was Queen Street. We hope
we’ve now found a permanent home in the Oliver Messell Gallery in the
Assembly House (with support from local solicitors).
The shop is open from now until 17 December from 10.00am until 6.00pm
Monday to Saturday and from 11.00am to 4.00pm on Sunday. Over 20 charities
— local and national — have their cards on sale. The shop is run totally by
volunteers so 96% of the takings go to the charities. The newcomer in the
business at the Forum does have paid staff we understand! Please come and
buy — I’m on duty most Wednesday afternoons from 4pm. Jeanne.
30 October 2005 — From Tom McNeill
Dear Reg, I have just heard of your site from Jim Richardson and like it a lot. It
doesn’t half take me back reading of all those well known names. I was
particularly interested to read that Andie Baptie, Ben Pearson, Alex Morris et
al are still going strong. Keep up the good work. Best wishes, Tom McNeill (ex
Edinburgh PP & Press and Manchester PP & Press).
Hello Tom, How good to hear from you . . . I see Jim McDonald, Roy Plackett,
George James, Alan Cole, and various other Print/Manchester worthies on
occasions and will pass on your good words . . . I see from the Blue Book that
you joined HMSO in October 1969. Where have those 36 years gone? All the
best, Reg
3 November 2005 — From Stuart McLaren
Dear Reg, Ever ready to blow my own trumpet and with Remembrance Sunday
approaching, I thought I would let HMSOldies know that there is an article by
me in the current issue of Norfolk Roots magazine about a young Norwich lad
shot for desertion in 1917. Best wishes, Stuart McLaren
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4 November 2005 — Overwhelmed by the Boys in Blue and a Charles Clark
lookalike
Hi Reg, I’ve just made one of my all-too-infrequent visits to the Oldies website,
to catch up. Life has been busy for so many people, but no report from the
Beer Festival yet.
Spotted at Dunston Hall helping the police with their enquiries, Charles Clarke
making his way up the corridor towards the gents, but unaccompanied by any
security officers. Then I realised that it wasn’t our Home Secretary but a lookalike in the form of one Robin Chapman, JP, who was there in his capacity as a
member of the county Police Authority. The entrance board at the redbrick
pile just outside the southern bypass noted a ‘Senior Management Away Day’
which must have left Police HQ at Wymondham quite deserted (at least I hope
so — there were more senior managers there than we ever had in HMSO).
Respect for my dining companion, who also happens to be in the force in a
much lesser capacity, prevents me from revealing what the Chief Constable
had in her doggy bag.
I hastened after the Laird of Diss and we had a quick natter: he is looking well,
though perhaps more like CC than when he plodded the corridors of St Crispins,
and with slightly more grey in the beard. But then if you were responsible for
dispensing justice in these days of ASBOs your hair would probably turn grey —
ah, no, it went beyond that years ago, didn’t it?
Interesting to see John Flynn’s IA Christmas pictures as we were only talking
about Audit Christmas dinners at the same lunch do. I recalled that Audit could
only revisit a hostelry for a Christmas meal if the management had changed as
they were routinely banned from every place they went. The upper picture
shows Colin Wood’s team in Sovereign House rather than out on the booze. This
was prior to the roof repairs which caused our evacuation: only the civil service
could have had floods on the top floor of a six-storey building. (Reminds me, I
must dig out my copy of ‘The Internal Audit Lament’ sometime.)
I wonder who took the photo? Missing from the picture would be John Rowe and
Larry Lewendon, and probably Alan Milburn. The young lady’s name escapes me
as well, and I don’t think she was one of the secondees from the local
accountancy firms that Colin thought would do us so well. Ian Billings
4 November 2005 — From Debs Green
Hello Reg, A belated reply to Gordon Robbie’s paragraph about him being a
particularly ‘big hitter’. As my dad once told me, when I told him that I had
heard this rumour, ‘Yeh, but ask him whether he can hit it straight as well!’.
Debs Green, nee Taylor (Mike Taylor’s daughter).
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6 November 2005 — From Gloria & John Flynn
Hello Reg, Enjoyed reading some of the latest bits. We are in between visits to
the Costa del Lowestoft and Bournemouth tomorrow so will study further on
return. The person in the IA photo whose name you could not remember was
Jenny Helbich, and J.Vince Fitzgibbon was never, as far as I know, in IA. It
seems when the bar of the White Lion was suffering from wet rot, Vince
volunteered to be a permanent prop! Regards, Gloria and John Flynn.
6 November 2005 — From Alex Smith
Dear Reg, Pleased to see that the Web Site is flourishing again and that you are
getting some very interesting contributions. The number of hits from foreign
parts is amazing and shows how your idea has blossomed. Keep up the good
work.
8 November 2005 — From Linda Lenton
Hi Reg, Just to let you know that the small group of ex HMSO Finance types will
be meeting again on Monday 14 November, 8.30pm in the Glass House,
Magdalen Street, Norwich. As always, everyone is welcome to join us. Regards,
Linda.
10 November 2005 — Bob Allder (Ex St Stephen’s & Parly Press)
Bob organises a Christmas Dinner for ex Press staff and any HMSOldie would be
most welcome. This year’s dinner is on Friday 9 December 2005, 6pm for
6.30pm, at The Old Session’s House Clerkenwell Green, London EC1, £30
inclusive of wine and gratuities. Click here for more details or contact Bob
Allder on 020 8599 5198.
23 November 2005 — From Bob Barnard
Dear Reg, Sorry I have not emailed you before now to thank you for sight of the
‘Retirements 1976-1986’ article. One item which interested me in particular
was the reference to Code 13 21 and Ray (Fish) Whiting ordering the same. (I
don’t think he really liked being called Fish). This code of course refers to MG
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glazed toilet tissue, which, from memory was 24 gsm (grammes per square
meter) with a bursting strength of 21 lbs per square inch weighing 12 ozs per
roll and a minimum of 800 sheets per roll. In my day as the EO in charge of S3D,
the Section responsible for ordering toilet rolls, Mrs Lacey was the CO placing
all the orders after I had agreed the quantities but because of the size of the
orders they had to be signed by the HEO WAG Garwood and subsequently Mary
Eagles. We ordered about 6 million rolls a year for the whole of the Civil
Service, the Armed Services and Hospitals from Kitty Brewster and Japa Paper
Products and a small firm in Tottenham (Cresta Products). Ray didn’t order
toilet rolls, he either processed the ad hoc tenders or arranged running
contracts.
I can still remember a lot of Supply Codes for tags laces, cellulose tapes web
straps to name a few. I can also remember a good many service chargeable
codes but never used them after leaving Supply in 1964.
I’m preparing to lead a walk on Norwich over the Water but once this is out of
the way I will get down to writing something about when I joined HMSO on 19
March 1951. Regards Bob
24 November 2005 — From Tony Gummett
Dear Reg, Greatly delighted to find HMSOldies on the net, thanks to one of my
daughters who discovered it. (She, incidentally, lives in Diss and has a friend —
Jackie Starling — who says you were her SEO when she was employed in HMSO.)
Found the references to many old colleagues I knew or ‘worked’ with during
the years I spent in the Department (1951-1987) brought back many memories.
I was saddened, however, to learn of the deaths that were mentioned —
particularly that of my old friend Bob Carey. After he retired, we regularly
exchanged ‘newsy’ Christmas greetings, and his message last year was as
cheerful as ever. It will be with sadness that we will not be passing on each
others news this Christmas. Bob Youl was another friend on my Christmas list
who is no longer with us (he died several years ago). I am still living in the
Ilford area (on my own since becoming a widower), but get up to London
frequently and often pop into the Civil Service Club — keeping an eye out in
case any of the old HMSO crowd might also have called in for a pint. I will have
a trawl through through some of the old photos I have accumulated over the
years, to see if I still have any that might be of interest to you. With all best
wishes, Tony Gummett.
24 November 2005 — What The Papers Say
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Simon Hoggart’s column in 19 November’s Guardian contained the following
item:
‘. . . a friend of mine has been trying to find the terror debate from last week
in Hansard. But Hansard is now virtually privatised, a day’s record costs £5,
and, she reports, the website is almost impossible to navigate. This leads her
to wonder if the owners are looking for fresh ways to make us pay to learn
what our elected representatives are saying. The old HMSO has been replaced
by The Stationery Office, or TSO, which has this beguiling strapline, or minimission statement: ‘Managing and delivering your publications and websites
and improving performance of your document supply chain.’ Aaargh!’ A followup letter claims that ‘Hansard can be accessed for free in those public libraries
which subscribe to Hansard. Check the online catalogues and give them a call
or email to check availability.’
The Eastern Daily Press dated 15 November 2005 featured ‘Tom Mackie. a
Norfolk photographer, who takes pictures of landscapes you want to jump into.
Now he is sharing some of the secrets of taking successful shots in a gorgeous
new book (Landscape Photography Secrets published by David and Charles —
£20 if you email dcdirect@davidandcharles.co.uk quoting code Y834). Tom,
who was born in America, is known to HMSO for his work in producing the
popular calendar featuring Norfolk Countryside. Roy Plackett — who used to
play squash with him and has visited Tom’s exhibition at The Forum in Norwich
— has pronounced the pictures ‘excellent’.
28 November 2005 — Catherine Barton 1947-2005
Chris Ladbrooke (Banner Business) has passed on the sad news, via Nicola
Secker, that Catherine Barton — who joined HMSO in 1989 and originally
worked in Finance — has died following a short illness. She was well known in
later years in St Crispins, particularly as TUS Representative. She will be missed
by her many colleagues.
*****
2 December 2005 — From Nicola Secker
Dear Colleagues, Some of you might have heard by now about the sad death of
Catherine Barton, who was the Union Secretary working alongside Mick Hardy
in the days of HMSO. Catherine died suddenly last weekend after a short
illness. Catherine worked tirelessly for the Union for many years and cared
deeply about issues concerning her work colleagues. She was somebody who
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campaigned endlessly for the rights of others and was loyal and dedicated to
the end.
Her funeral is next Monday but this will be a private family occasion. The
memorial service will be next Friday at All Saints Church at High Kelling at
11.30am. Most of her friends and colleagues will be attending. I will be going
along. Anyone else who might like to go is welcome. Banner PCS is arranging
some flowers to be sent to the Memorial Service as her daughter Sarah said she
would love as many flowers as possible. If anyone would like to donate please
let me know as I will be setting up a collection. Regards, Nicola Secker, Banner
PCS Secretary, 01603 696995
2 Dec 2005 — Disclaimer
Some of you will know that the Editor of this esteemed organ is a regular
reader of The Guardian (Ich bin ein Berliner), and may have seen the article in
the Diary column dated 2 December 2005. It seems that the diarist had
successfully bid for a voting form for the impending Conservative Party
leadership conteSt He wrote as follows: ‘Mild apathy greets our question: who
should the Diary back after buying a Tory leadership ballot paper from eBay?
The debate continues online at The Guardian’s politics blog, where we leave
you with these words from a man called Reg: ‘Bloody voting, what good did
that ever do for the country? Makes me want to puke. Sod off.’ Come on, now,
of course it wasn’t me. I would never be that temperate.
3 December 2005 — From Gordon Robbie
Gordon never tires in his efforts to educate the Southerners in whose midst he
has lived for nearly 40 years. The following is the full text of his letter
published in the Eastern Daily Press on Saturday 3 December 2005, (Ed).
Sir, You have previously allowed the freedom of your columns to connoisseurs
of the haggis and the week of St Andrews night seems a good time to return to
the subject.
I had the good fortune on the night of celebration to enjoy two prime beasts
reared organically on the south facing slopes of Braeriach in the heart of the
Cairngorms, where the longer exposure to summer suns concentrates the sugar
and the tannins in the heather. This exceptionally rich grazing translates to a
well-fleshed haggis with a marvellous sweetness combined with an impressively
gamey depth of flavour — provided, of course, it has been properly hung. The
quality on the plate of such animals reared virtually in the wild is appreciably
better than farm reared haggis even to the untutored palate. Those with more
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discerning palates, however, will still debate the comparitive merits of animals
from the famous Sron na Lairige herd, running only a few hundred metres from
the Braeriach pastures but, of course, on the other side of the ridge and west
facing.
The difference made by this different orientation is quite marked but there is
no less quality and the flavour is a matter of personal preference. The
increased exposure to prevailing western winds sweeping in from the vastness
of the Atlantic and the lochan-rich landscape of the Western Isles and
Argyllshire, finally reaching the slopes of Sron na Lairige over the dark bog-fed
depths of Loch Einich, gives a hint of saltiness and an unrivalled gentle hint of
peat on the palate.
These different characteristics should be, of course, be complemented by the
whisky accompanying the meal. For a Sron na Lairige haggis, nothing is better
than one of the gentler Islay malts, perhaps a 12-year-old Bunnahabhain or a
15-year-old Bruachladdich. I was lucky enough to find a rare special bottling of
1989 Miltonduff, a highland malt which proved an ideal foil for my Braeriach
beasts — a feast fit for a king. It is highly gratifying that such splendid
specimens as Braeriach haggis and some rarer bottlings of single malts are
becoming increasingly available south of the border. Scotch whisky has already
proved itself as a product which travels well across the world, and I would hope
that organically reared, estate specific haggis are now treading the same path.
Cheers, Gordon Robbie.
10 December 2005 — Bernard Thimont
We are sad to report that Bernard Thimont died on 5 December after a short
illness. He was Controller, HMSO, 1977-1980. The funeral will take place at
Sacred Heart Church, Edge Hill, Wimbledon on Tuesday 13 December 2005.
John Dole will attend on behalf of HMSO colleagues. Bernard leaves wife Joy
and two children. Any donations, please, to Cancer Research.
18 December 2005 — Ron Sims remembers
Ron joined HMSO in 1967, having entered Established Service, at 17, in 1940,
with the inevitable break for war service. His wife Iris, according to old
Information Circulars he has provided, joined as Unestablished Messenger on 7
July 1969 (she appeared in the same circular as AM Cole, Unestablished CO in
Supplies, who joined on 21 July 1969). Iris was promoted to Paperkeeper,
Finance, in September 1971. Meanwhile, Ron was EO in various posts,
memorably in Accommodation, from which days he has several photographs of
the construction of Sovereign House. He was also to the front of the queue
when the pub on Cherry Lane, immediately opposite what is now St Crispins,
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was transformed from the Cherry Tree to the Golden Sovereign (see Picture
Gallery). It was subsequently transformed further into Godards Tailors and is
now Richer Sounds. Ron held his retirement there on 22 August 1983
20 Dec 2005 — Lavatorial matters from Howard Wheeldon
Dear Reg, Bob Barnard’s recollections of his toilet paper purchasing exploits
reminded me of an incident in the mid/late 1960s when I worked in S4d (and a
young fresh faced pre-pubescent whippersnapper called Reginald Walker Esq.
was apprenticed to/labouring in the vicinity of, one Stan Adams of Brooklands
motor racing fame) and was asked by Norman Parker to reply to a letter of
complaint re HMSO ‘Soft Tissue’ Toilet Paper received from a somewhat irate
Matron responsible for a Maternity Ward in one of Her Majesty’s Hospitals.
(Apparently Hospitals/Maternity Wards were among the somewhat select band
of organisations allowed to purchase ‘soft’ toilet tissue as opposed to the
standard carborundum impregnated rolls of Kevlar reinforced haemorrhoid
removal ‘tissue’ issued to our more robust and insensitive customers.)
The nature of her complaint was, to put it delicately, that the tissue was TOO
soft, and frequently disintegrated during its application (hope you’re not
reading this over your breakfast Guardian and bowl of nourishing Complan and
finger lickin’ good KFC Chicken Nuggets?).
Having contacted the good lady and ascertained that she was from the Irene
Handl rather than the Hattie Jacques School of Matrons, I dutifully explained
that it was HMSO policy to treat all complaints with expedition, respect, and a
due measure of concern (those were the days . . . or has dementia finally
struck?) but added — somewhat tongue in cheek — (forgive the pun) in order to
undertake the necessary investigation, damaged/faulty goods had to be
returned for the requisite investigations to be undertaken by HMSO Laboratory
in order to identify the cause of failure etc . . .
This she promised to do, and the nameless and shameless Clerical Officers of
S4D gleefully scrambled to open the necessary Complaints File and decide on
an acceptable and non-scabrous title. Several days later the expected package
arrived and having exercised my managerial privileges as an EO, lots were
drawn to identify which unfortunate Clerical Person would open the package
and extract ‘EXHIBIT A’ even a Promotion Board Results letter was never
opened more circumspectly and with a higher sense of anticipation!
After much forensic probing with a Stock Issue Desk Knife, the contents were
found to consist of a heartwarming covering letter thanking HMSO for its
diligence and concern etc and a wad of obviously used soft toilet tissue,
heavily stained with . . . brown shoe polish!
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Following ‘established procedures’, the Complaints File and its odiferous
contents were expeditiously dispatched to the HMSO Lab, somewhere in the
bowels (sorry) of the Department for the faulty goods to be tested on the
legendary Toilet Paper Testing Rig, which rumour had it, tested the tensile
strength of damp toilet paper (a task undertaken by singularly
incompetent/incontinent Lab staff approaching retirement in the event of the
Rig malfunctioning).
Why S4D became involved with Toilet Tissue issues, and how this particular
problem was resolved — apart from the privatisation of our hospitals — I never
did discover, but I do remember that Norman Parker was a trifle concerned at
what David Robert’s reaction would be when, as was his wont, he undertook his
weekly perusal of all correspondence dispatched from his fiefdom and he
scrutinized our rather lighthearted correspondence.
Perhaps that is why I was transferred to the Central Computer Bureau shortly
thereafter — an institution that, in view of the number of re-runs of HMSO
invoices etc, had no need of soft toilet tissue or toilet tissue of any
description.
Regards and tastelessly yours, Howard Wheeldon
Howard, Wonderful stuff! I have just left a Pub (surprised or what?) which
contained AM Cole and IG Williamson (nee Bond) who were both also EOs in S4
— IGW was also a bog-standard EO. By the way, nice note recently from Mrs
Bill Wickham (Maureen) who says the old fella is in good form. And I
understand that ND Parker is still alive, well, and looking for his next
commission in the Cotswolds Submariners. DN Roberts is an avid reader of
HMSOldies so I hope for some response. Reg
22 December 2005 — From Barry Palmer (in Canada)
Merry Christmas to all my friends and acquaintances whom I have had the joy
to come into contact with in 2005.
It has been a good year and a bad year, good because I have renewed
friendships with old friends (Mike, Jan and Philip), found a new friend (Reg),
met an old friend from the very start of my printing career (Jan) but not so
good because we are apart at Christmas. Hopefully one year in the not too
distant future this may change. Sorry I can’t offer you fireworks or scantily clad
young ladies but have a great Christmas and a very good New Year. Should any
of you ever manage to fly, sail or swim the pond there will always be a warm
welcome waiting for you (Mike, Philip and Reg) and Jan can always hop in the
car. I will try to be more eloquent and more frequent with my dissertations in
the future.
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Barry Palmer (and family)
Thank you for your kind words and Seasonal Greetings, heartily reciprocated
from Norwich (I will be staying here over the next week with wife, children
and granddaughter). As you suggest, one of the great pleasures of HMSOldies is
the renewal and initiation of contacts. You never know — we may meet one
day. All best wishes, Reg
Winter News — 2005
No more Social Diaries — do you really want to know that we saw Terry
Harwood and Danny Burns in Sainsbury’s (and, more to the point, do they want
themselves exposed to Tesco moles for even more junk mail?). But ‘rare
sightings’ might be more interesting. For instance, I hadn’t seen Mike
Woodhouse for 10 years, but up he popped in St Giles, looking the same as ever
and still living in Eaton. And Ken Rhodes, Dave Forbes, John Eveson all seen in
London . . . Brian Ekers, Jim McDonald, Steve Johnson, Barry Harper, Philip
Nash (dad John still in his favourite stamping ground — pun intended — the
Islawhite, wife Karen still working and father-in-law Mike Mahoney getting into
his new winter gloves), Sue Whitaker, Derek Vallance . . . no, stop, we’ll be
back to ‘I’m An HMSO Celebrity, Get Me Into Here’ again.
But notes out of the blue from Ron Sims (he tells me that his wife Iris has
unbelievably reached 80 — still junior to the sprightly Phil Storey seen with
glass in hand at the Norwich Beer Festival); Maureen Wickham (nee Riley) and
husband Bill (ex F4D and CCTA); John Morgan (one time editor of SO Review,
now living in Cromer) are always welcome. Who have you seen or heard from
lately?
Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Thought for the Festive Season: Be nice to your children. After all, they are
going to choose your Nursing Home. Nicer thoughts, from readers far and wide,
have arrived electronically and otherwise, from Ian Billings, Eric Bone, John
Elderton and Margery Kraszewski (France), Vic Kefford, John and Gloria Flynn,
Mary Robinson (Australia), Fred Stubbs, Dorothy and Harry Teedon, Clover
Moore (Alex’s widow), Louise Chapman, John Eveson, Brian Lambirth, Chris and
Jeanne Southgate and Ivor Hosgood.
25 December 2005 — From Augustus Cuthbert
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Dear Editor, I am moved to write to you by your recent articles in your
esteemed web site on the subject of Lavatory Paper. In the mid-Sixties, I was a
Clerical Officer in another department when I received the results of an
Executive Officer posting to HMSO. My EO at the time was an ex-naval man and
he informed me that the size of toilet rolls for MOD (Navy) were half-inch wider
than for the rest of the military and civil service ‘to allow for the roll of the
ship’. In my career with HMSO, I never spent any time in Supplies Division and
was never able to verify this statement. Maybe one of you readers can
enlighten me? Yours sincerely, Curious of Cringleford
Dear Augustus. Many thanks for your most interesting letter, which I have
passed to our Artistic and Technical Divisions for processing. Particularly
pleased that you have chosen to write to us as a prelude to listening to the
annual speech by HMQ. Was the thought of HRH Prince Philip enough to remind
you of Naval Manoevres? I, too, have memories of the ‘extra half inch.’ Was it
an early example of urban myth, put about by JP Delaney, DR Paul, R Tinkler
&co, or was it fact? Perhaps RC Barnard and other antediluvian luminaries can
enlighten us. All the best, Reg
Charles W Blundell Gets to the Bottom of Things
In 1991 the late CW Blundell OBE (born 1920; joined HMSO1937) published an
autobiographical account entitled Gluepots. The name derived from a family
tradition where the word would be shouted if someone repeated an old tale.
Charles eventually became Director of Supplies, and as such knew his way
around the Division. His reminiscences have been called into evidence to help
solve the puzzle set by Augustus Cuthbert on 25 December 2005.
On page 305 of Gluepots, CWB avers that ‘toilet paper is always good for a
laugh . . . fun was made of the awful brown paper supplied throughout the war
in sheet form, not least because the technical trade name for the material was
Smallhands.’ Other tales refer to Percy Theodore Hann, who joined HMSO in
1914, but paydirt was hit with the following paragraphs:
‘I ought not to let pass the opportunity to set down a success in the matter of
toilet paper supply, which may be one of the few enduring changes to be laid
at my door. From times further back than anyone can remember, the Royal
Navy had been supplied with a special size toilet paper, always in sheets,
always the same quality tissue as other Services, civil or military, but of much
larger dimensions; and all HM Ships were fitted throughout their Heads with
wooden boxes to take this size. It was a costly business to procure this item
specially, but ‘Oh yes’ I was told when I came across this anomaly in my new
bailiwick in charge of all non-machinery provision and issue, ‘Many attempts
have been made to convince them to take normal supply. They depend upon
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the tradition in the first place; the cost of altering the boxes in the Heads in
every ship in the fleet and shore station in the second place; and lastly and
incontrovertibly, as they will have it, they have always needed larger pieces —
and still do — to allow for the roll of the ship.’ It took a deal of arguing and
persuasion to make the Navy see reason, but the economics of tapping into the
normal toilet roll supply clearly more than covered the cost of conversion of
the wall furniture in a year or two’s consumption. Maybe, also, the more
modern ships were not so prone to rolling?’
[end]
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People
Listed alphabetically
Keith Batchelor joined Publications in 1964, initially with catalogue section in
Atlantic House. We all remember the first person to help us out with their store
of knowledge, and in Keith’s case it was Assistant Bookseller Len Filbey (who
joined HMSO in 1924 at the age of 16). Then various incarnations as sub-editor;
elections officer; transport officer; equipment evaluation and development
officer and finally Royal Household Liaison Officer. He was employed in Atlantic
House, Cornwall House, Bunhill Row and Britannia House. Memorable moments:
running the netball team (can Valerie Barnard still get the ball in the net? Of
course she can.) and refusing to do Pay Duty (a hanging offence in my day ). He
still keeps in touch with Penny Mitchell (see earlier i/c note); Ron Dann and
Jim Stewart (both ex RH Unit — Ron is still with Banner/o2o/Lymeswold); Rita
Ryan (still living in Basildon, HMSO class of ’39) and Esther Mackay (an ITW
survivor from 1968). He also remembers the identical twins Carol and Christine
Horney who joined Supplies, Atlantic House in 1966. He ought to — he married
Carol 30 years ago. (Christine is also happily married and living in Lincolnshire).
After leaving HMSO Keith joined, in succession, CCTA, Hertfordshire CC and the
London Borough of Enfield, as records officer. Following redundancy he became
a self-employed consultant in records management, health and safety. He
recommends working from home as most beneficial in terms of both salary and
sanity. He is still involved in voluntary work and youth work, and — if the
technology works — may be seen as a youthful forty-something (with a similarly
youthful Jim Stewart) setting out the stationery in Lancaster House.
Terry Burchell joined the crew of HMS 'Office' in April 1971. He says 'crew'
because at that time many of the staff had started to grow beards and became
the 'Pirates of PP'. He’d served his apprenticeship as a Compositor in a small
firm in his home-town of Gravesend, Kent and, after National Service in the
RAF, married and moved to Fakenham, Norfolk, buying a 5-bed house in a
quarter-acre of land for £1500, (then being on £1000 per annum!). HMSO came
eight years later, where he started his career in Print Progressing, before
moving to Print Ordering and a stint in Publications. His great interest in
photography came to the attention of the hierarchy and he was asked to 'shoot'
any visiting big-wig and events such as retirements, promotions, exhibitions
etc, culminating in the Bicentenary Sports Events and the visit by HM The
Queen. He also took a formal portrait of George Thomas, Speaker of the House
of Commons (later Lord Tonypandy). Other well-known people he has
photographed include Malcolm Arnold (Composer), Roy Castle, Linda Lusardi,
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Richard Todd and Jean Kent (the latter film stars of his youth!). Since his
retirement in 1993, he has concentrated on photography, working on replacing
lost images when Norwich Central Library tragically burnt down, and supplying
the photographs for four books on Norwich plus a recent colourful 'coffee table'
book entitled Norfolk Moods. Living in Mulbarton with his wife he has seen
their three children married and settled and they have seven grandchildren (so
far!). He can recommend retirement — he’s never been busier or happier.
Stan Church joined HMSO from the Civil Service Commission in Basingstoke as a
Programmer in 1970. After spending a number of years in Systems branch, he
spent some time as Payroll Manager before joining Business Supplies on
computer purchasing and sales, enjoying many years of free lunches. Following
his departure in1997 after privatisation, he spent a year working as an Account
Manager for a computer manufacture before finally hanging up his expense
account. The remaining years have been devoted to leisure and pleasure
attempting to play (usually badly) a variety of sports and pastimes often with
ex-retirees including squash, tennis (Ron Fairbrother), badminton (with Phil
Marriage, Mike Taylor, Bob Hall), golf (with Harry Currie, Ian Hatfield, Terry
Blyth and Gwyn Morgan) and snooker (Dave Dring). There is also a weekly
lunchtime gathering at the ‘Plasterers’ in Cowgate involving some of the above
as well as John Wilson (still working!), John Spinks and Graham Thompson
where we attempt, among other matters, to diagnose the malaise of Norwich
City.
Harry Currie joined HMSO straight from Edinburgh University in 1972. He
worked as an EO in Supplies with Joe Delaney and George Rokhar. Eventually
they found him out and sent him to Management Services with Stan Church,
Tim Cutbill, Eric Pointer, John Rowe and Frank Payne. Again, having been
rumbled he was moved to Work Study where he worked with the (in) famous
team of Ray Fox, Les Duffield, Bill Brewer, and Sam Rae. During this period he
met and annoyed most of the industrial staff in HMSO. Things got continually
worse until Mike Lynn eventually sent him to Bristol where he ‘worked’ as
Logistics Director of Banner. Eventually his big moment came and in 1997 he
took the mighty dollar and buggered off seldom to be seen again. Since then he
has worked as a private business consultant and is currently teaching guitar at
various schools across the county. Indeed, at Reepham High he has linked up
once more with John Rose and Mike Seppings. Still gigging with his band around
Norfolk Harry manages to fit in golfing sessions with Stan Church and Ian
Hatfield. He is now 55 (actual age) 85 (how he looks) and 17 (how he acts).
Ian Dobson left college in the halcyon days when students could choose
between jobs. Of the three offered to Ian, he chose the design studio in
Atlantic House, joining in 1973. His final year thesis was on Computer Aided
Design but it took a decade before computers really got near the 'desktop'.
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However by this time he had dispersed to St Crispins and was well-placed to
lead the introduction of the first Apple Macintosh computers into HMSO's studio
— one of the first major publishing houses to do so. After some twenty years in
GD, during which he rose to Design Manager, business re-structuring saw a
move into HMSO's Research and Innovation team, followed by a post with
Electronic Publishing. In common with many others, 'the scandalous sale' (Ian's
words) of HMSO in 1996 encouraged a move to pastures new. Since then he has
worked as a freelance designer on CD ROMs, exhibitions and publishing projects
for a number of prestigious companies, at times with ex colleague print-buyer
Albert During. For many years he has acted as an External Verifier / Examiner
on Edexcel (formerly BTEC) courses at design colleges up and down the
country. More recently he moved closer to the 'electronic desktop', currently
working for Hussey Knights in Norwich where he occasionally services his HMSO
ex colleagues. Married to Jo (ex Pubns, now with Castle Colour Press) they live
in Wreningham with their daughter Kerri.
Michael Terry Harrington started with HMSO at the press in the War Office
in1958 as an Apprentice Compositor, and after six long years training was
‘Banged-Out’ in the traditional way before partying in a local pub. He then
joined the Obelisk Press at Lewisham as a Comp/Mono Keyboard operator,
when a call from Barry Palmer (another ex HMSO apprentice) enticed him to
Westminster, at Wightman Mountain, where he stayed until marrying his wife
Carol. They moved to Benfleet, Essex and he joined Eden Fishers at Southend
before another enticing call, from ex HMSO Comp, Allen Harris, took him to
Photoprint Plates. He was only too keen to take over Allen’s job as they were
in the forefront of the new technology of filmsetting. Then three of the MonoOps started their own typesetting business which he joined, staying until the
early 1990s when the emergence of desktop computers changed typesetting
forever. So he started his own business ‘MATS Typesetting’ with a friend, and
their name appears on the reverse of many title pages. Nearly a half-century
after joining HMSO, and with his business partner now retired, he still
continues working as a typesetter.
Sue Holden (m. Morgan/nee Holden) is lively, well and living in Northern
Ireland whence she embarked in pursuit of Steve to whom she is now married
(but won't use his name) in 1988. Unfortunately she's had to work for her living
since: firstly for British Telecom for a couple of years then, for the last 15
years, for the Health Service. She's skipping gleefully towards retirement which
seems to persist as a mirage on the horizon. She now has (as does her ex, Gwyn
Morgan) three gorgeous granddaughters, still living in Norfolk, whose company
she has the pleasure (?) of for the odd week in the summer holidays. Gwyn cops
the regular baby-sitting, though the girls are now 11, 9 and 4, so hardly babies.
She's also pleased to report that her dad, Jim Holden, himself ex HMSO, then
CCTA from where he retired to make excellent and continuing use of his
pension, is hale and (mostly) hearty and still living in Eaton, Norwich with wife
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Anne. She has many memories of the time when dad was the Officer in Charge
of the Cardiff bookshop where, if she called in during school holidays she would
be given a heap of filing to do! (Probably rates as child abuse now). Her most
recent visit to the Fair City was in July to celebrate her mum's 80th birthday
which was done in style with all the family gathered from far and wide for the
occasion. She maintains a watching brief on things Norfolkian and HMSonian
through Isobel Williamson with whom she keeps in touch and occasionally
holidays, and with whom she is going off on 'a jolly big adventure' next month.
Perhaps when the Women have returned they may have the odd photograph
with which to entrance and delight the Male populace of the website.
Phil Leach joined HMSO Norwich as HEO in September 1975 from HM Land
Registry, Gloucester. Initially he worked to Peggy Page and Peter Jefford, then
moved to Management Accounting with Robin Chapman, Peter Macdonald, Vic
Bell and other luminaries of the bean-counter's art. Then it was Supplies
Invoicing, with 60 staff, followed by Human Resources and early retirement in
1994. Most important job: Secretary of the Sovereign Club. Currently Part-time
Assistant to the Clerk of Costessey Parish Council, on which Dick Smith is
currently a Councillor. Still interested in philately and a member of the
prestigious Pipe Club of Norfolk. Also a keen singer with Frettenham Singers,
Costessey Singers and the Rosebery Road Methodist Church Choir
Philip Marriage had to miss the 1958 Cup Final to sit the HMSO Entrance Exams,
however this sacrifice was rewarded by an apprenticeship in 1959 in the HMSO
Press, Drury Lane. He soon decided to specialise in graphic design, encouraged
by John Westwood who offered him a position in the studio in 1965. A career in
graphic design ensued ending in 1995 as Publications Design Manager, followed
by a couple of years in Electronic Publishing, pioneering the embryonic
Internet. Since early retirement from tSO much of his time has been spent in
equally interesting publishing projects. The first, produced in 2001, was From
Layout to Graphic Design telling the story of the fifty-years of graphic design in
HMSO. Lately he has been involved in Memories of Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich a
book designed by Jennifer Hannaford (ex HMSO) and launched in June 2004 by
the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Councillor Chris Southgate (ex HMSO). Other
interests include photography, walking and recently he joined Mike Taylor,
Stan Church, and Bob Hall (all ex HMSO) in representing Norfolk at veterans
badminton.
David Martin started at HMSO in 1959. He achieved early retirement from the
then recently privatised tSO in March 1997, having spent the intervening years
chiefly at Drury Lane Press, Cornwall House, Bunhill Row and Norwich. For the
last eleven years of his time he was based in Electronic Publishing. After
retirement he took on some freelance work from several sources, including
proof reading database entries for a tSO electronic publication. Invoicing tSO
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each month for over 7 years has given him immense satisfaction! He and wife
Moira delight in the company of their eldest son’s two children and enjoy
visiting their youngest son, whose work takes him to various countries. David’s
other consuming interests are participating in choral music and maintaining his
Irish family connections.
Barry Palmer joined HMSO in 1956 at the Abbey Orchard Street Press,
Westminster, then when it closed transferred to the newly built St Stephen’s
Parliamentary Press. In 1963 he moved back to Westminster, joining Wightman
Mountain, before relocating in 1967 to Page Bros in Norwich, where he married
for the first time. Tired of spiralling inflation he moved to Canada in 1969 to
work for Mono Lino Typesetting (ML) in Toronto where he found himself in the
forefront of computerized typesetting reaching the dizzying heights of DP
Manager. Alas typesetting became so cheap that ML closed and he moved on,
ending up at Fleet Typographers (temptingly located below a cigar factory just
after he’d quit smoking cigars) where he stayed for a couple of years, escaping
just before the doors closed for good. Next came a period spanning
approximately two years at Norgraphics assisting with the Northern Miner
newspaper. The company was then sold to Conrad Black who closed it down.
Life then became a bit hectic, trying to keep-up a full-time job whilst starting
his own printing company, plus a stint at photography of animals at pet shops
in Ontario. The need to eat and drink forced him onward to his present position
with Computer Composition of Canada, a post which he has enjoyed for several
years and which he expects to see him through to retirement in 2007. It has
been an inspired ride from his days at HMSO and if he knew then what he
knows now he probably wouldn't have left, but he has no regrets. He thinks
Canada is great but the beer (Molson is now owned by Americans and Labatts
by Germans) is lousy. He can't even get Toby Ale any more. Along the way he
remarried and has three daughters to go with the son from his previous
marriage.
Brian Puplett joined HMSO in 1982 from MOD Chatham. Initially on safety
testing, he worked as Assistant, then Deputy Manager of OMTS. He moved to
Norwich and became part of the Business Supplies sales force before leaving
HMSO and managing a Health and Safety Supplies company. Most important
job: Captain of the Royal Norwich Golf Club, and about to fly to Australia and
represent the club at the Royal Fremantle club's centenary celebrations. He
also adds a plug for the HMSO Golf Society, 'superbly led by our big-hitting
secretary Gordon Robbie, we are now in out 91st year and are determined to
make it to 100. We have a good programme of events this year, so if anyone
wishes to come along just let us know.'
Fred Stubbs took the Civil Service (HMSO) entrance exam and interview
towards the end of his RAF National Service in 1958. Firstly as a Printing Officer
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and later he joined the Layout Section. In 1968 he went to the Edinburgh
Office where he started the first regional Graphic Design studio. On promotion
to HTO he joined the Technical Services Division for three years before
rejoining Graphic Design as a Senior Designer. He led the advance party for the
1978 move to Norwich and he remained there and in GD until he retired in
1994. He took a full-time course at the City College where he gained a City and
Guilds certificate in furniture making. He keeps fit in the gym and swimming
pool at Oasis. He is currently secretary of the Blafelda Probus Club and is a
working member of the John Jarrold Printing Museum. Cruising holidays have
taken him and his wife Doreen, to various parts of the world including Iceland,
the Faeroe Islands,Russia, Latvia and Estonia. He feels he had more spare time
when he was at work.
Robert Stutely joined HMSO in 1964 as a direct entrant EO on 'promotion' from
the Ministry of Labour and National Service and was appointed as a temporary
auditor. In 1965, much to his surprise, he was sponsored on the first degree
course in Printing Technology at Watford College of Technology. He returned to
HMSO in 1969, sneaking under the wire to join the technical side. Apart from a
short spell as manager of the security printing department at Harrow Press
('may we have some more envelopes embossed with stamps of the same colour
as last time' was one memorable phone call received which caused some
explaining to be done to the Post Office for generating collectors items), he
spent all his career in Technical Services/Development/Innovation while it
existed. Then, with grateful thanks to Chris Southgate, Director of
Publications, he joined Pubns in a similar râle for the remainder of his Civil
Service career. Robert is proud to been part of the International Standards
Committee that developed SGML, the standard that allowed HTML to be
developed and which enabled the World Wide Web to be borne. When
exhausted by the demands of tSO, he left to form astutech, a web
development company, with his two sons. Astutech has just launched version 2
of wordserver, a product it has developed to enable anyone who can use
Internet Explorer to design, develop and maintain websites without needing
any technical skills.
Mike Taylor managed to escape from HMSO in May 1993 after 33 years service.
The timing was ideal to take maximum benefit of early retirement terms, as he
had just reached the age of 57, plus the fact that the mortgage matured the
same month and with most of the summer to enjoy. Maintaining a large garden
(approx two fifths of an acre) keeps him busy plus plenty of golf and badminton
throughout the year ensures reasonable fitness. He has represented Norfolk
veterans teams at golf and badminton for a number of years. He plays golf at
Royal Norwich GC along with a few ex HMSO boys such as councillor Roger
Nash, Tony Parker, Ernie Downs, Pat Tate, John Balls and Brian Puplett and
badminton at the Norwich Sports Village doing battle with Philip Marriage, Bob
Hall and Stan Church among others. He manages to keep in touch with a few
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other retired technicals on the last Friday in every month when they meet for
lunch at the Farmhouse pub on the Norwich ring road. As a pipe-smoker of
many years he was glad to see — on the occasion of the annual Ekers singsong
before Christmas — that Reg Walker still smokes a pipe because, as he said
‘there's not many of us left’. That reminded him that at one time in Print
Procurement Division he ran a section PP1E to which some wit in PP (never
detected) frequently changed to P1PE.
Reg Walker joined HMSO in 1963 (ITW Cornwall House, then Supplies Atlantic
House in 1967). Still with Supplies on dispersal to Norwich in 1968, he was
employed at various times in Office Services, Publications (MDC project), O&M,
Print Procurement, Supplies Warehousing, Marketing and Customer Care. He
rightly predicted that the New Management would not need his skills (mainly
staying in the bar with the Customer all afternoon and, if necessary, evening)
so departed for a life of (even more) indolence in 1996. For the past three
years he has been employed part-time by Formara Printers (Southend-on-Sea)
as ‘Government Liaison’ which uses the afore-mentioned talents to the full.
Despite being a grandfather, he is as fit and virile as he ever was.
John Westwood learned a lot about printing from his father. John Biggs
started his interest in typography in 1938, and as a post-graduate of the Royal
College of Art he lectured at Carlisle College of Art in graphics, typography,
and bookbinding. He followed Harry Carter and Alan Dodson as Head of
Typographic Design & Layout at HMSO in 1960, and, encouraged by more than
one Controller brought in a wider range of staff to make publications more
lively in design. Founder member of the Printing Historical Society. Retired
1978; founder editor of International Meccanoman magazine 1988 to 1999,
which now has readers in 32 countries worldwide. John builds models and
collects and binds books at his home, 4 Grange Close, Goring on Thames. Deaf
but not stupid at 85, he and Margaret welcome visitors. They have two sons:
David in USA is into psychology; Paul is well-known as bass guitar expert.
Devon Williams joined HMSO in 1970 as a Clerical Assistant in St Stephen's
Parliamentary Press where he worked in the Costing Office, then Wages
Department on promotion to Clerical Officer, then as Officer-in-Charge of
Wages when promoted to Executive Office in 1978. He joined Industrial
Personnel as an IR Trainee in early 1980s working to Malcolm McNeill and Sylvia
Parnell in Atlantic House. He 'graduated' to IR Officer two years' later and was
soon transferred to Sovereign House to work with names like Sam Rae, Derek
Wintle, Tracy Cooper, Helen Bell, Dave Ware, George James, Dave Harold, Roy
Waterlow, Ray Fox and Jim Marshall (the latter also still at tSO). Devon left
HMSO in 1989 to take up a job in London but then rejoined, ending up as
deputy to Brian Minett at the Publications Centre when privatisation came.
He’s been tSO’s HR Manager since then, again back in Norwich. He has three
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grown-up children from his previous marriage and now, married to Sonya 'Judd',
with two little 'uns living in Dereham.
Sonya Williams joined HMSO in 1986 as a temporary typist and became
permanent after a year. While in the typing pool she covered PC/PS absences
in PS/Marketing and, for her sins, IP, which is where she first met her future
husband Devon. Most of her happy years at HMSO were spent in Pubns but she
was sad when it became tSO and left in 1997. She had various PA jobs in
Norwich and Cambridgeshire, moved to Littleport, married Mr Williams in 2002
and now have two beautiful children and live in Dereham.
Geoff Woods joined HMSO in 1987 as a messenger and later librarian in the
Publications Library, which eventually became an information centre and
stationery store. He decided to take early retirement in 1995. Most people will
remember Geoff for his association with wildlife rescue, and athletics with City
Of Norwich A.C. He has regretfully finished his wildlife rescue, but has had a
European Eagle Owl for 25 years — the only reminder of a very busy time with
Anglian Wildlife Rescue. The running has also come to a stop as he has
developed hip problems, though he manages to crawl to the gym three times a
week to keep the gremlins at bay. Most leisure time is spent happily working
with stained glass, producing many different items, and he also attempts to
play classical guitar. He continues to live in Frettenham, with his wife Lesley
who still has to work to keep him in the luxury to which he has become
accustomed.
[end]
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