CURRICULUM VITAE
... in the beginning
... early years
... senior school days
... Girl Guides
... teenage friends
... the world of work
... getting married
... the Sheffield years
... on to Hertfordshire
... a change of direction
... so where are we now
... other trivial info
The world of work...
I left school at Christmas 1963. On the 30th December 1963, I began my first job with George Bray & Co (Engineering). I lasted six months. I worked with an impish girl called Christine something.
From there I went to an insurance broker’s, Owen A Jepson on Commercial Street, Leeds. I was the junior, receptionist and tea maker. Other people who worked there were Arthur Ossett, John Bedford, Geoff Barton, Tim Moore, Maurice Meek, Muriel Kitchen, Mary Kelly, Connie Stephens, Anne Proctor, Anne Wilkinson, Beryl Huffingley, Janet Latto, Andrew Goffin, Ian Murgatroyd, Geoff Kaye, Len Metcalfe, Roger Thornton, Peter Webster and another Pete with a Scottish accent. Also, I think Cathy Edwards/Edwardes? worked there. I was there until Owen Jepsons' moved out of Leeds in 1968. During my time there (December 1965 to be exact), I became engaged to Trevor (aka Beau of the Raiders).
Next job was at the Midland Bank on Park Row. Mr Fiddes is a name I’ll never forget! Midland Bank is where I met my still-good-friend, Eve Moore.
Midland Bank gave way to the Tao Clinic on Bond Court. June Ridsdale, Anne and Leslie are the only names I can recall, though there were others working there.
We’ve now got to October 1969, which was when I got married. At the time I married, I was working at the Pearl Assurance Company on Merrion Way. I was in the motor underwriting department. Again, there are a lot of faces floating through my consciousness, but I cannot put names to them all. Our wedding ciné film shows that some of the girls from Pearl Assurance came to St Chad’s Church, Headingley during their lunch-hour to see me get married, but the only name I remember is Michelle.
Next job was at National Motor & Accident on East Parade. I am still in touch with a lot of friends from my three years there. Staff were Harvey Cross, (the boss), Austin Corcoran, Neil Rowson, Michael Callaghan, Janet Birch, Jean Wilson, Kath Drake, Kath Stirk, Valerie Cust, Doreen ?, Janice ?, Gerry ? and an engineer called Tom.
Having left there, I went to The Fenchurch Group on Thirsk Row. The only names I remember are Beverley Wade and Stephen Johnson.
Then on to the Zurich Group on East Parade. I remember the boss, Frank Pickles; also Alison Schofield, Christine Parsissons, Malcolm, John, Geoff and Mrs Foy.
That’s enough of work for now. Do the names George Bray Engineering, Owen Jepson Insurance Brokers, Midland Bank Park Row, Tao Clinic, Pearl Assurance, National Motor and Accident Insurance, The Fenchurch Group, or Zurich Insurance Leeds, mean anything to you. Have you worked for these firms? Do you know anyone who has? Please e-mail me at sandramidgley1@gmail.com