Barlow Taylor and Co: Fun time as a junior at Barlow Taylor in 1950s

Jump to: navigation, search

Rosemary Bamford (nee Smith) started work at Barlow Taylor and Co in 1948, at the age of 15. She married and left Derby more than half a century ago to live in Yorkshire, but still vividly recalls her time with what was once one of the city’s leading stores.

WHEN I started work at Barlow Taylor and Co, in 1948, I was interviewed by the managing director. I remember it vividly as my father accompanied me because I was so nervous.

My first job as a junior, aged 15, was in the dress material department in the basement.

At the age of 16, I broke my leg at the roller-skating rink (formerly Reginald Street Baths) and, as it was a complicated fracture, I was off work for about three months.

I received a letter terminating my employment but agreeing to reinstate me once my leg was better.

On returning to work, I could no longer stand for long periods so I was offered a job in the office on the top floor.

I was sent to the National Cash Register Co in Nottingham to learn how to use an accounting machine.

As a junior, I also had to relieve Janet, the lady who worked the lift during her lunch break.

The lift was operated by a lever pushing it to the right for going up and left for going down. I never quite mastered the technique of getting it level with the floor required by the customers.

During my time there, they converted part of the top floor into a restaurant.

We worked five-and-a-half days a week 9am to 5.30pm with a half day off on Wednesday. My first wage packet was £1 5s (£1.25). I gave my mother £1 and kept the 5s.

With my first 5s, I went across to Joice's biscuit stall in the market hall and bought a bag of marshmallow biscuits (my favourite at the time).

I left Barlow Taylor at the age of 18 for a job at Qualcast, in Victory Road, in the time and motion study department.

At 21, I married my husband and left to live in his home town – Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, where I have remained for 51 years.

Pages linking here