Yesterday Remembered

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- Sylvia Lee (nee Mower) of Earlsfield, London remembers:

Pools Party

On leaving school in the mid-50s, my friend Gloria and I began our working life at Cope's football pools, which was situated in Hackbridge, Surrey.

Housed within a three-storey former snuff mill, set beside a river; a printing works, HL Vickery, occupied the lower floor, which also contained the works canteen. Cope's occupied the two upper floors, which also had use of the canteen. My sister-in-law, Elsie, was the cashier and it was due to her that we applied to join Cope’s. We started work as the football season got underway. After a two-bus journey, we clocked in at 9 and out at 6.

Areas were split into sections; I was on part of Manchester and Gloria was on a different section. We soon got to learn the ropes, addressing, mailing, opening, sorting and, finally, checking coupons. And no, I never checked a jackpot winner.

Extra money could be earned on Saturday nights checking, and Thursday was our regular day off. A resident nurse was on site for all, and on nice days, it was lovely to have lunch breaks by the river.

Come Christmas time, the firm held annual staff dos at Hammersmith Palais. Coaches were laid on to transport staff there and back. Gloria and I attended its last one, with the magician David Nixon appearing as a special guest. It was a truly entertaining night but the dos were replaced with a Christmas bonus.

Gloria and I eventually decided to cycle to work, so we purchased bikes on HP, paying with what was saved on fares. This was fine in nice weather, but a no no for me on bad days. So, I gave it the heave-ho. Gloria, however, carried on. I can recall a time when leaving work one evening, a really thick fog descended while travelling home, which resulted in the conductor guiding the bus by walking in front of it with a lit beacon.