JUST recently out of the armed forces and trying to make my way in the world of commerce, married with a young family of two, I joined the then world famous, Joe Lyons of Cadby Hall London, as a trainee salesman, aspiring to get on to the management ladder.
It was June 9, 1962, and I remember it well, being trained in the art of servicing the small shops of Grantham, Melton and surrounding areas with confectionary products produced by the brand leader of the day!
In those days the 'small shops' provided just about everything for the public.
The Grantham co-operative was the only self service around at the time, soon to be joined by the mighty Tesco.
Lyons Swiss Rolls were synonymous with quality, so with the Queens Award emblazoned on the side of the distinctive blue and gold vans, you would have thought the world was my oyster.
Alderman Roberts did not seem to agree with that line of thinking. His small shop at the bottom of Great Gonerby Hill, Grantham, was not on my list of calls – but that was soon to be rectified by my then supervisor, setting me the task of opening up such outlets.
The first time I met with Mr Roberts was when I ventured into his small shop, and inquired as to how come he was not stocking the companies products.
Given that my gleaming van was parked outside, with the Queen's distinctive gold-painted award reflecting through the shop window, I was very confident I was going to do business with Mr Roberts.
Unfortunately that did not happen, and neither did it happen on two other occasions when making similar calls.
At the time, I had not heard of Margaret Thatcher, but got to know more about her father Alderman Roberts, and the influence he had on the town of Grantham as a local councillor.
I made frequent visits to London, culminating in my appointment as area manager East Midlands, before joining head office as a national account executive, not realising at the time, that Margaret Thatcher was employed by the same company I believe, as a scientist.
JOHN M PARR
Pathways
Sheringham Close
Woodthorpe View
Arnold
I HAVE just read two nationals and the Nottingham Post – all are headed by the death of Maggie Thatcher.
Can I please compliment you on the most balanced and succinct comments in your editorial. Well done!
MICHAEL COLLIER
Station Road,
Carlton
FOLLOWING up on Dawn Palmer's letter (Post, Friday April 5 ), it is without doubt a disgraceful case of disregard and arrogance that the people who put this whole carbuncle plan together could think that the actions of their scheme would not affect local business in the clifton area.
I was informed today by the council representative for tram ( steve Tuff ) That the compensation scheme for beeston and chilwell was put in place some five years ago, Oh i said well why was the same scheme not offered to the business's in clifton those very same businesses that pay their business rates to Nottingham city council and not Broxtowe Borough council, Was this a political ploy as to not cross swords with another Borough thus making the job of getting the planning consent that bit easier to swallow.
They have gone ahead with This Tramline works on our estate with with no regard to local people's livelihoods whatsoever this is the second phase of this giant train set that no one whom i talk to wants,but this city council do not listen to what people say anymore the people of clifton have had to suffer the ridiculous road hump calming scheme on every road on our estate for the past five years and now the powers that be have driven this Tram through the HEART of our estate and if truth be told very few of us want.
I am puzzled as to why anyone would risk the lives of local children by running a Tram through the heart of one the biggest housing estates in the country, it's surely only a matter of time before the Tram kills a child, mark my words people will be killed on this estate in the name of this city council.
My heart goes out to Dawn and other independents on the estate who like myself have worked hard for a great number of years building our business's up to see them falling down before our very eyes with no help from this council insight.
Shame on you councillor Chapman and all the rest of the gang responsible for putting so many local people who put you in power out of business.
KEVIN CLARKE
Clifton Cob Shop, Southchurch Drive, Clifton
Reading in the Nottingham Post that the Principal of Bulwell Academy is thinking of sending pupils home if they turn up without uniform on. Well I am sure they will look forward to that. How about giving detentions with extra study, that should get a better result. Oh, I forgot, the underpaid teachers would have to work later.
PETER B HODGKINSON
Meadow Rise
Nuthall
Now it seems that a new rail station may be built at Ilkeston can Broxtowe Borough Council expect to receive applications for land in Cossall and Awsworth to be released for building (Coronation Road and Shilo Way) for new housing.
Will Erewash and Ilkeston councils try to get the shop owners of Bath Street to clean out the upstairs accommodation and rent it separately to the shop lease. Most shops only use the upstairs rooms for storage of unwanted items and dust.
It would make more sense to make the shop owners (of the building to do up the living accommodation and rent it as well as the shops. They would gain financially long term and so would the public who need homes).
Much more would be gained by this, than by the so called Bedroom Tax, where no one gains except the government. One shop on Bath Street was made into living accommodation above the shop, when the shop was modernised 25 plus years ago. And has never to my knowledge been leased separately as living accommodation. What a waste!
For people to use a station at Ilkeston to go to Notts they will have to live near it. No one is going to catch a bus or go in a car, travel to the station, to get a train, to travel 7 miles to Nottingham when it's easier for them to catch a bus straight there.
J E HOLLAND
Newtons Lane
Cossall