Information Circular

Items listed in chronological sequence

31 January 2012 – From Sue Holden

Reg, The website is looking really good: congratulations on its new, clear format! Having notified you of my recent entry into grand-motherdom, here's a photo of me and new great-granddaughter, Lily-May, born 8 November 2011 to back it up.  Feel free to publish if you wish: I note that my profile could do with a boost!

Oh, and you might want to add that I, in this new age of non- retirement, have recently completed my postgraduate studies and am now a qualified and accredited psychotherapist specialising in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.  I am in practice in the Primary Health Sector, with the Ulster Cancer Foundation and with a few private clients.  So, I am not available for baby sitting duties! Sue



Hello Sue, Lovely  ― and very appropriate. We had been looking for something cheerful, to alleviate the obits and the gloom offered up by the national media, so what could be better than the birth of a potential new reader? Lily-May will be wanting to know what her great-grandmother did all day at work before you know it. Thank you  ― and congratulations to the proud parents  ― not to mention great-great-grandfather Jim Holden. Well done on the impressive qualifications. As I understand it, CBT is a goal-oriented therapy (a useful form of TQM?) but as it deals in dysfunctional emotions I will, for a change, be careful what I say . . . Best wishes. Reg



28 January 2012 – Supplies Paper Buyers Annual Lunch 2012



This is a snap taken at the annual luncheon. Ian was unwell so did not attend. Not much to report. Tried to put the world to rights but nobody took any notice of our deliberations last year or any other years. For some reason all the movers and shakers were listening to speeches in a place called Davos? Sounds like something out of a Doctor Who script with the same obsession with fantasy. Publish and be dammed but not to burn in the fires of Hell I hope. Brian Cockram

PS I have run this through Photoshop software and given everybody a smile.

Thanks Brian. Good to see that you are all ageing gracefully and that Maurice has combed his silver locks at the back. Not sure about Durkin's scarf indoors, though. Surely he is too old to be hiding love-bites? All the best, and start saving for next year's reunion. Reg



27 January 2012 – Slight Concubine Peril (10;10)



The linguistically aware among you may guess that The Editor was given an Anagram Finder for Christmas, which was as well as it gave him something to do while others were at the Electronic Publishing post-Christmas dinner at Don Pepe in Norwich.

Brooding Bore is a most inappropriate reworking for the patronymic of the jolly man in the pink shirt. Slinky Jean Wino may be slanderous. Adman Rivet, Agile Hair Primp, Jello Vanish, Shrill Mandala and Seaway Plan are good enough for Beachcomber's 'Register of Huntingdonshire Cabmen.'.

Which leaves me to leave you as . . . A Grilled Wanker.

27 January 2011 – Senior Staff Meeting



John and Ann Eason live near Harvey Wild (ex HMSO Manchester London and Norwich and CCTA), and John often meets Arthur Brunwin (currently living in Portsmouth; ex HMSO ITW Cornwall House) at Lords'. On 27 January all four met in London for a reunion lunch at an Italian restaurant in Soho, and a good time was had by all. Arthur entered established service in 1937; Harvey in 1939. The combined ages of the four diners is 318 ― proof positive that a virtuous office life brings its own reward.

26 January 2012 – Julia Holland notches up awards hat-trick



Reg, see:

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/norwich_photographer_notches_up_
awards_hat_trick_julia_holland_from_thorpe_marriot_1_1188752

I’m pretty sure that this is the Julia Holland that worked in Business Supplies. Her photo’s (see image above. Ed. ) on her web-site mentioned in the article. Stan Church

Hello Stan, Well spotted. Yes, that's Julia. Good to see that she has found success following her time in HMSO and o2o. Must be a more satisfying life than allocating customer demands and arranging disposals in S9a! 

(To visit Julia's website see Other links section. Ed. )  

24 January 2012 – From Brian Cockram

Hi. Thought you might like a snap of Geoff Sinden at his surprise (at least to him) 70th birthday bash at The Cottage, Thorpe earlier this month. His daughter Claire had organised the party and had travelled from Jersey for the event. A splendid cake adorned with two tiny representations of Geoff and Mrs S bowling was cut and consumed. Geoff took to the dance floor throwing himself into rock songs from his distant youth. Not a sight for the faint hearted. Mind you my efforts at swirling the hips were positively disgusting. Brian

Hello Brian, Thank you . . . looks like a good evening. And isn't that sweat (sorry, perspiration) on the brow of ageing Geoffrey? More than he ever managed when he was sleeping over his tray of delivery notes in ITW1b in 1965. I think we should entitle this 'The Egg-man Cometh of Age.' Just about everyone who knows him will know why. And the thought of your swirling hips will take some time to leave my mind . . . All the best. Reg

12 January 2012 - Big Bags and Babies in Bangkok

Greetings from Bangkok, I made it but felt like it wasn't going to happen at times.

On the coach on my way to the airport I checked to see what my luggage allowance was and noticed the “Security Requirements” section stating that at check-in I needed to show the card that I'd paid for the flight with ― well I had decided I didn’t need this card so I called my brother to try and work out how to organise getting him, or my mum, to photocopy the card and fax it to the airport, if indeed they'd accept that. I stressed until I got to Heathrow and had a choice; to get in line and try and check-in without the card by keeping the staff distracted by chatting, or to fess up and ask before I got in the queue which was long and would lose me valuable time if indeed I needed to get a copy faxed.

I fessed up to a man helping organise the queue and I should have realised in the casual manner that is Indian (I flew with an Indian airline) I was told "So long as you've paid for your flight it'll be OK". Unconvinced I got the man to take me to a separate desk where I was told my flight was confirmed and it was “No problem” that I didn't have the card. So check-in was a doddle and my three bags weren't weighed together so I got away with the weight as all my heavy stuff was in my hand luggage.

So on to Passport Control. I waited behind a woman literally three times my weight, carrying a baby of about 6 months, four stuffed carrier bags, a Barbie rucksack, a bling handbag and with a girl of about 5 in tow. Whilst getting out all the travel documents she somehow slipped and fell off her 4 inch platform sandals sprawling like a jellyfish whilst holding the baby aloft. Everyone stood clear and the woman somehow got to her feet alone ― no wonder she was perspiring. I looked at the security staff as they stood impotently aside and offered to take the woman's bags: “I wouldn't do that if I were you, you're not allowed to carry items for other people” was the reply. But seeing that woman wasn't going to make it too easily alone I asked the woman if I could take her bags and she said “Yes, thank you” with such relief that I had to.

So on we went through to baggage security as I tried to appease the little miss who was pouting at me for insisting I hold the Barbie rucksack even though she was carrying a doll half her size. The woman was so stressed she seemed unable to talk so I started to work on the challenge that was little madam, or 'mama' as the mama called her. She scowled and crossed her arms like the baddest rappers and refused to answer any of my many questions: So what's dolly's name? I like your hair, did mummy do that? Is pink you favourite colour? Is dolly a boy or a girl? Have you been on an aeroplane before? What do you think of quantum theory? (I just typed that to test if you're still paying attention.)

As we got to the x-rays, I instantly stated loudly “THESE BAGS BELONG TO THIS WOMAN” so they'd go easier on me when they arrested us for drug/arms smuggling. Anyway through the other side of the machine I glided through as usual but they had taken the Barbie bag to one side. I was gifted the baby as big mama sweatedly stood waiting for the inspection. The baby girl was very cute, clothed as she was in a head to toe fluffy pink all-in-one; perfect for fooling the x-ray and no doubtedly double-lined with Class A's. Baby smiled and I cooed and little mama, on getting jealous that my attention was now on the baby, decided to engage me in playing at throwing/sowing magic/unmagic beans of which there was no shortage.

Bags cleared (although there should have been a legal limit on the amount of bling) big mama explained that “Actually these are not my babies”, gulp, “they are my grandchildren”, I wondered how she'd managed that. I asked what gate she needed to get to? 'Fourteen' big mama replied and showed me her boarding card showing that the boarding time had already commenced. I said “I'll carry the baby” thinking it would be the easier option for me as I had an 8.7 kilo holdall. So without trying to panic we all took off toward Gate 14, big mama with all five bags, little mama casually following along with dolly of unknown sex, dressed as it was in dungarees, me with a 8.7 kilo bag ripping into my bare shoulder and very slippery babe that wouldn't sit on my hip needing to keep stopping and rehoiking lest I dragged her along like dolly.

After a 15 minute suggested walk to Gate 14 that we'd done in 10, sweating and dishevelled, we approached incredulous staff at Gate 14 asking “Do you know we are about to close. How did you get through with all these bags? Are you travelling together?”. I told a woman to “Carry my bag” and on actually reaching Gate 14, I told the woman to “Take the baby” to which she replied “I am not allowed to carry babies”. Baby had finally lost the plot and decided to make her own panic, of being thrust upon a skinny white woman with glasses whilst big mama had had her back to her for the past 20 minutes.

I handed baby to big mama who was handing bags over for checking in the hold before she promptly disappeared through the tunnel, at least little mama acknowledged me as she shouted and waved “Goodbye, goodbye” before too disappearing from view.

Well I tell you, taking random buses and feeling lost in Bangkok has nothing of the same adrenaline rush.

That's all for now folks. Jo Williams

Hello Jo, Good to hear from you, and that you are still flying the flag of British Decency overseas. I seem to recall that the last time I saw you was outside Oxfam in Magdalen Street, from where I have just returned with a Daily Telegraph Book of Obituaries and a cordless mouse for a laptop. That's about as exciting as it gets. Oh yes, it's raining. All the best. Reg

9 January 2012 – Bob Barnard writes

Happy New Year to you. I thought you would be interested to know that last Thursday, 5 January, Sid Brooks was 90. Valerie and I met him and his wife for lunch at the Civil Service Club and we were joined by Sid’s son, Peter, Kay Griffiths and husband, David, as well as Sue Phillips (nee Hazell). I doubt you would know Sue as she resigned from HMSO on marriage in 1963. Sid was in good form having travelled up from Seaford that morning and he was going back there after lunch.

In the course of conversation, Kay mentioned that she and David attended Margaret Arkinstall’s cremation at Kingston Crematorium. Kay said there were two elderly ladies waiting outside the Crematorium who she did not recognise but who turned out to be Jean Wrench and Marian Williams. Both were not in the best physical shape and Marian was walking with the aid of a sticks. Kay knew Jean from earlier days but just did not recognise her at all. Kind regards, Bob

Thanks Bob: good to hear that Sid is in good form  — and a reminder of Jean Wrench, who I seem to remember transferred to DTI in a pre-dispersal exchange with Stan Adams in 1967.

Sid Brooks adds:  Dear Reg, We had a smashing HMSOldies gathering and lunch at the CSC. I managed four 'do's altogether and acquired three cakes, with four generations at the family get-together on Sunday. Joyce has given me a flight in a Cessna from Shoreham to Eastbourne which will include my old flat on the cliffs, our present house and the Anne of Cleves House where we married 11 years ago. As ever. Sid

Bob Barnard adds:  At last I have down-loaded the photos taken at Sid Brooks 90th birthday lunch. The top one shows Sid with the cake Valerie and I took up to the Civil Service Club. It was a bit much to have 90 candles on the cake, so we settled for 9, representing each decade of Sid's life. The other one is of the group and reading from left to right they are: Joyce (Sid's wife); David (Kay's husband), Valerie, Sid, Sue Phillips (nee Hazell), me and Kay. Hope they will be of interest.



9 January 2012 – From Billy Stevenson

Dear Reg, When replacing my Chelsea Football Club Calendar I gave a last glance at the month of December and Lo and Behold! the month ended with the 30th. The player depicted was John Terry. Could this have been a subtle move by Roman Abramovich to reduce the players' wage bill for 2011? A three hundred and sixty fifth part of millions would be a considerable sum. It would help to offset his legal expenses. Or could it mean that John Terry's days at the club are numbered? One thing for sure is Roman didn't invite me to his party, but rumour has it Reg, that your yacht was tied up alongside 'The Eclipse'. Surely we must be told.

Redundant Cabin Boy, Billy.

Hello Billy. You have me bang to rights: that was indeed my Coracle bobbing along by the Trainer (used to be Plimsoll) Line of said yacht  ― and as for being well-heeled, there's ten bob notes in my Lump Sum I haven't even broken into yet . . . All the best for 2012. Reg

4 January 2012 – From John Nash

Hi Reg, Many thanks for your New Year Greetings which of course we reciprocate. May we also join in with others to add our congratulations on the splendid Christmas card ― a really excellent and novel production. It seems a sensible decision now to list the Obits separately. Scanning the listings in their new format I was sad to read about so many old colleagues ― Gordon Cooper, Adrienne May to name but two; and also dear old Tony Bennett. Tony was held in great regard by the Steam Railway fraternity here since his library of excellent train pictures have been constantly used in Island railway books. Meanwhile all the best for 2012 from the Magic Isle. John Nash

Hello John. Good to hear from you, and glad you liked the card. All the very best. Reg

2 January 2012 – From Barry Palmer 

Happy (maybe it should be hoppy) New Year to you all. Still planning a trip back this year but at the moment it seems all relatives are going to be out of the country (strange, must be something I ate) but we are thinking of going to mainland Europe first and finish in England. Will inform you when and where when we know. Barry and Bonnie

Thanks Barry. It would be good to see you when you come over from Canada. Incidentally, we have just received New Years' greetings from Mary Robinson  ― sweltering in forty degrees heat in Australia  ― and from Peter Turner  ― hardly sweltering in Manchester, plus Messrs Eveson and Parfitt in London and, closer to home, Judy Pritchard in Norwich. All the best. Reg

1 January 2012 – From your Editor

The vastly overstretched Production Team was unable to attach itself to the coat-tails of the London Underground drivers' protest against Boxing Day working so spent the time in the worthy Pursuit of Excellence (remember those days? I hope not) with the result that all HMSOldies Obituaries have been designated their own section, thus freeing up space for the activities of the living.

Have a look. So far 2011 has been completed ― other years will follow according to the PERT Network in Robert's head . . .

Best wishes for 2012. And any news you may have would be most welcome.

Reg Walker, Editor, HMSOldies

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