At our last writing group meeting we decided to get on and with perking up our Wordsmiths Blog. Since the last post on here there has been a lot happening, not only have some of our members won awards and prizes but they have books and magazine articles published. We will update the site with these achievements in the coming weeks but for now a post from Sandra Hughes about her first job
My first Job
Aged 15, it seemed everyone in my form at school were looking for Saturday jobs, being successful in finding them before me, giving them spending power and a bit of ‘kudos.’ I was reminded of this as yet another friend mentioned seeing my granddaughter working in our local Post Office and commenting on how efficient and professional she was, and wondering exactly how many tasks she has had to learn. Obviously a very proud Grandma, this is her third ‘Saturday’ job and the aim is to continue when she starts at uni next week.
All of my children were encouraged to have ‘Saturday’ jobs and learn the importance of earning money for themselves, and now my grandchildren.
My first experience was in a department store like John Lewis, a shop called Chiesmans, in Gravesend.
I can remember going upstairs to the ‘office’ and enquiring about work and sitting and completing a form. I was successful and had to catch a bus into town, which was no different from catching a bus to school, early every morning. Staff had to enter by a back door, waiting for the metal entrance door being rolled up to allow us to enter. In the store, was an ancient lift, with a wrought iron door you dragged across to close before pressing a button to your floor.
I remember working in two departments, but not sure which order they came in. Bearing in mind it is a very long time ago. I worked in the card department, especially at Christmas, in the days of large boxed, satin padded cards. I thought that showed how special you were to someone. I also remember January Sales and having paperback books to sell. I particularly put aside a book which would improve my understanding of human anatomy and sex, of which I hadn’t a clue. I don’t think the book helped much!
The other department I worked in was haberdashery and remember the huge catalogues of sewing patterns and looking in wooden drawers to find the patterns requested by customers. Butterick and Style spring to mind. It was interesting for me as I made clothes for myself, being so tall, I could never buy trousers long enough. I had a friend whose sewing was very impressive, taught by her mother, and made my first daughter the christening robe from a Vogue pattern, which became a family heirloom. And a winter coat with cape. Mine was much simpler.
We enjoyed a mid-morning break, going up in the ancient lift to a staff café, looking over the streets below. Lunchtime would find me cutting through Woolworths to the side exit to a budget sandwich bar.
Spending my money, especially on clothes was a joy. I have always loved clothes and shoes. I earned 15/- every Saturday.
My first job after school was in a small Bank in London, which is another chapter/Blog.
Whittlesey Wordsmiths 