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-12 July 2005 — Social Diary



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1-12 July 2005 — Social Diary
So what has this bate-breeder, bed-swerver, imperseverant rancid mome to offer you this month? (In the unlikely event that you are in doubt as to the meaning, take down from the shelves your copy of Rooke’s Shakespeare’s Dogs and turn to page 15). As you may be able to tell, I have been asked to notch up the literary content of this olla-podrida. Nurse, I’ve come over all Theroux.
We start with a report espied by John Eason in The Guardian dated 23 June 2005. The headline ‘Abbot hurt in Rome hit and run’ gave way to a story whereby ‘The head of a community of Benedictine Monks in Kent has been seriously injured in a hit and run incident in Rome. Father Laurence O’Keeffe was struck by at least one motorcycle . . . as the 62 year old cleric lay unconscious in the street, the riders fled . . . . Father O’Keeffe, Abbot of St Augustine’s Abbey in Ramsgate was in Rome for celebrations to mark the blessing of new clerics in his order. London born Father Laurence was ordained in 1970 . . . and elected Abbot in 1996 . . .’. Older readers may remember the Abbot as John O’Keeffe, who worked in Contracts Division, Atlantic House, in the early 1960s.
Correspondence from Jean Storey, who was a Personal Secretary 1974-1996, mainly in London and sometime working in that oft-forgotten corner of HMSO, Golden Cross House. I remember having friendly discussions there with Ted Smith, Peggy Drake and other SOGAT luminaries to a background of the 24 hour, day in day out chants of ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ from outside the South African Embassy next door. Jean is in happy retirement in Cromer. John Rumball reports recent contact with Vic White, who joined HMSO in 1967 after 31 years in the Board of Trade. Vic was EO/HEO in ITW/Finance and came to Norwich with the advance party. One of the early photographs on the HMSOldies site was taken from a Norwich Evening News article, and showed Vic in Sovereign House in 1968. He is now, at 91, living in Devon and occasionally visits his daughter in Norfolk.
The Norfolk Social Scene inevitably includes messing about on the river, or, as the following correspondence from Roy Plackett indicates, missing a boat on the river:
‘Readers will no doubt like to know that the Poringland Pauper (Thomas G Smith, class of ‘57) is alive and well and complaining that nobody buys him a pint any more following a trouser-threatening boating calamity on the Norfolk Broads after lunch with the Friday Club (see diaries passim) on the first day of July. Our water-logged correspondent informs us that TG Smith’s life hung in the balance as he gracefully sunk up to his money-belt in the River Bure. The Friday Club, sinews and thews honed to perfection for such an event, snapped into action like a coiled spring and, acting as one man, averted disaster. To the casual observer it may have looked like an arcane Masonic ceremony when Messrs Bradbury and Davie managed to secure his armpits, although the weight of the Smith wallet greatly impeded the rescue. TG slowly emerged from the deep, somewhat more crumpled and sodden than usual. Cecil Hedley Hughes rushed to remove the dripping shoes and socks and offered, as it was approaching Trafalgar Day, the Hardy-esque ìKiss of Lifeî. This was ungraciously refused by TG, who compounded this rebuff by refusing to remove the stylish Asda Deck Trousers for drying on the flagpole. Admittedly, some fairly large seagulls were salivating overhead and sizing up possible delicacies on offer. The official photographer, the rich man’s answer to Lord Lichfield Allan Reid, missed a scoop in the melee as his camera again lacked both film and batteries (he has only just upgraded from plate and magnesium flash, so it was only to be expected). The Captain, who wishes to remain anonymous, supervised the rescue and TG has promised to buy heavily. Not new trousers (he still retains the innate economy of a Man of Durham despite his Poringland patois) but drinks for the entire ship’s company for saving his life.’

Must get in on that.


As far as the local press is concerned, photographs of local grandees in attendance at the Norfolk Show produced no HMSO connection other than a shot of someone named Alan Cole, who has either suffered intensive plastic surgery under the Witness Protection Scheme or someone has borrowed his identity (he’ll be sorry when he sees the size of his slate in The Fat Cat). Mike Betts was at the show, presiding over the Woodforde’s beer tent as a follow up to his success at Glastonbury (selling beer again, not supporting Bananarama or whoever featured this year). There was a letter in the Norwich Evening News from one Tony Drewry of Alpington. Could it be the same AW Drewry who bought offset-litho consumables so expertly in S4c before going to the rest home for intellectuals that was CCTA? No mention of the heroic charity cycle ride undertaken by a certain ex Director of Furniture, but I suppose that London to Brighton is out of the range of local intereSt
On the streets, correspondents have spotted Devon and Sonya Williams, and a fine collection of stage-door Johnies and Johnettes, including a CBE, at the Cromer End-of-the-Pier show. Then, Let Joy Be Unconfined (a girl, since you ask, 4 kilos plus, mother and daughter doing well) — who should be sashaying along St George’s Street but the only lady I allow to touch my Number One (haircut, you devils!) Karen Sullivan. My pleasure was compounded by the fact that she was accompanied not only by a well-deserved pre-luncheon Woodbine but also by the fragrant Kathryn Daniels, a fellow HMSO employee. (There are people out there who can turn out a decent phrase — where are you when I need you?). We spoke for a while of brother Kevin Sullivan and our plans to produce War of the Worlds — or anything starring Orson — sorry, Kevin. I think things are getting out of hand. A correspondent espied Lewey Larendon (he still works under a near-anagram for reasons we cannot divulge). By the way, Tony Riordan is still in Norfolk, and — currently — Mike Gigg is not retiring from tSO Nine Elms, despite being 70 next birthday (I’ll teach you not to reply to my letters).
This very lunchtime it was suggested that these monthly meanderings are becoming over-extended (‘You have delighted us enough, dear Editor.’ I can take a hint) and that, like the author, they should be broken down and the useless bits thrown out. So that’s it for now. Don’t forget to use transit envelopes and to fill in your R30s.


10 July 2005 — Ivor R Hosgood MBE: Now the truth can be told
A new book, HMSO related — I’ll take you where the music’s playing — was published on Sunday 10 July (the launch being held in Ivor’s house in Buxton). The copiously illustrated volume, which is partly autobiographical and partly essay, also contains contributions from four local poets and three prominent churchmen (all with East Anglian connections) as well as the former and present laureates, Sir John Betjeman and Andrew Motion. Other contributions have been made by the national Foundation for Youth Music and Laka D. The cost of production has been generously sponsored by Xerox (UK) Ltd and copies at £9.95 include an 80 minute compact disc of some of Ivor’s favourite music. They are being sold in aid of the Norfolk Youth Music Trust, which seeks to help highly talented young people in their aim to become professional musicians. More details are obtainable from the Secretary at 4 Church Close, Buxton, Norwich NR10 5ER (tel: 01603 279742; email ‘mailto:info@norfolk-youth-music-truStorg.uk’.
Ivor adds that he has recently encountered ‘that rare animal, a Temporary Printing Officer, in North Norfolk. John Riggott (whom some technical staff may remember from the 1980s) moved with his wife Sue to the county’s North coast from Hebden Bridge towards the end of 2004.’


12 July 2005 — Geoff Harper
A pleasing note from over the great pond — who remembers Geoff Harper? He was a Pre-Press apprentice at Parliamentary Press, Mandela Way from 1989-1992 and worked on until 1994. He is very keen to contact his fellow apprentice John Ruchpal and Reg Couldry. He is currently in USA and would like their (or others’) Email addresses.


13 July 2005 — Eric Hendry
We are sad to report the death of Eric Hendry, who lost his long battle with cancer on 12 July. Eric was born in May 1945 and joined HMSO in 1968. He worked in SSPP and other areas of Works/Production Division, eventually to become Director of a free-standing Print business within HMSO. He moved from London to Norwich and finally back home to Tyne and Wear. He leaves wife Dorothy and two sons. John Eveson is in contact with Dorothy, should you wish to pass on a message.


18 July 2005 — MPs worried about HMSO at last
Correspondent Fred Kennedy (ex DHSS) receives the Prospect Newsletter, produced by the Union now incorporating IPCS. In June 2005, they followed up the ‘HMSO disbanded’ theme (which also appeared in the Daily Mail , as mentioned on this site) as follows: ‘The sound of glasshouses crashing could be heard all over Westminster last month as Conservative MPs thundered in an early day motion about their deep concern that HMSO had been downgraded and given the new title of Office of Public Sector Information. They expressed disquiet at the wiping out of Britain’s historic ties with royal institutions and called on the government to re-establish the royal connection to HMSO. Hilarious, really, from the party that privatised HMSO nine years ago and changed the name of 99% of the organisation to The Stationery Office.’
Once again, the Head of Publishing Services has refuted this claim. He showed me his visiting card, which proudly shows that Her Majesty’s Stationery Office still appears (albeit third on the list to Cabinet Office and OPSI).


13-31 July 2005 — Social Diary
A correspondent we will refer to pseudonymously as D. Phroat confirms the existence of The Jolly Tilers (see article in Memories). It was indeed a social gathering between the elite of CSD/CCTA and ICL, the computer company favoured by the then Government. Such favour was subsequently deemed to be against best competitive practice and the Tilers (and eventually ICL) was dispatched into history.
Another correspondent, who is anything but a pseudonym, is Gordon Grant Robbie (a first of April baby, I recall, and his parents knew something, giving him Christian names of heroes of both the Gin and Whisky trades). Gordon has just returned from holiday in western Scotland, and writes as follows: ‘I managed to visit all eight distilleries on Islay in one day, with photographic record to prove it. Is this a record? (note to Messrs MacCallum, Morris, Veitch, Hamilton, Baptie, Currie,Ross and Pearson — plus of course Les Birch — this is what is called a challenge). The eight are Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Bowmore, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich and Kilchoman. The latter is so new that they are still building it (a bit of scaffolding doesn’t deter Gordon) but they have already got their sign up and opened a distillery shop. They hope to come to market in 2010. We were staying on the Mull of Kintyre near Tarbert, which I can strongly recommend as a decent place to eat and drink, with any amount of local fish, meat and distilled delight on offer. Just to indulge another of my personal favourites, I am off to Wales in August for the Brecon Jazz Festival. Keep up the good work with HMSOldies — better than Cassandra and Simon Hoggart.’ Praise indeed. Incidentally, I await with interest Gordon’s response to our two ‘mystery pictures’ from 1960 and 1964.
And on the subject of self-effacing Scots, it was a pleasure to be hailed from the inside of a Norwich Barber’s shop by Harry Currie, looking as young and hairy as ever (if that doesn’t persuade him to send me that promised item, nothing will). Also pounding the highways, Brian Lambirth in a near-vintage Mini van, painted a most elegant yellow (I didn’t catch the pantone number); Michael Graves (I didn’t catch the pantone number of his socks either). In London, with Brian Ekers (taking a turn back in England from Spain) was Bob Rice (a well known contractor in his days with 3M and Formara). He was seen enjoying his retirement job (still repping but closer to home in Huntingdon). And who should appear on the television one Tuesday night? Chris Gould, who was in Supplies for a while, made a commendable appearance on Mastermind, and on a proper specialist subject too. Jack Keating on good form, talking of another trip to America; Sheila Blowers, Ruth White on their way to St Crispins and Dave Higenbottam, Andy Williams, Robin Kelly all escaping for a few minutes. Peter Lince boasting deck trousers and a new haircut (his first words to me were ‘it’s getting huge!’ (luckily he was referring to HMSOldies). Peter still sees Ray Dineen and Colin Harris, the ageing juvenile lead from Dereham.
Granville Reed hailed me on his daily walk down that saddest of Norwich highways, Magdalen Street. Alright, St Augustine’s might be sadder. And don’t get me started on newly-constructed shopping malls. And new buildings for the Home Office, DEFRA or whichever Government Department is listed to move to Norwich? Put them in Sovereign and Gildengate, the grandest of Civil Service accommodation a few decades ago. Why, Sovereign House gained the accolade of being voted second ugliest building in East Anglia (after the Fakenham Happy Eater, if I remember rightly). But (as usual) I must be wrong. A magazine entitled Summer in Norwich 2005 drops through the door with the Eastern Daily Press. I quote: ‘Anglia Square has been providing excellent shopping in Norwich since 1966, when it was built to provide shopping and leisure facilities for the staff of HM Stationery Office
. . . shoppers can start the day with a mouth-watering breakfast from one of the many cafés overlooking the flowery square, then take their time over the many shops around the centre . . . As well as offering a huge variety of shops and restaurants, Anglia Square is within 30 seconds walk of popular Magdalen Street (which) has become famous for its niche market of antique shops and stalls earning it the title of the ‘Portobello Road’ of Norwich, catering for the eagle-eyed bargain spotter as well as the seasoned collector . . . ‘ Sounds like just the place for a holiday. Wonder if the Cat and Fiddle does rooms?. A late note from an incredibly busy but boiling-with-rage Marguerite Finn arrives just before the deadline. The reason for her rage? An anonymous letter in the Norwich Evening News commenting on the proposed influx of civil servants into Norwich (see above) in the following terms ‘ . . . what possible advantage can there be in bringing to this county hundreds of useless civil servants who produce no wealth at all and merely create problems by their obsession with regulations and red tape . . . their presence . . . would exacerbate . . . road congestion and car-parking facilities.’ And so on. To the rescue comes Marguerite, with a vigorous defence of ‘the best civil service in the world’ and the influence of HMSO staff in Norfolk over the past 37 years. I wonder if they will print it, and if the writer of the letter (one of the legions of Norwich car-park obsessive, no doubt) will reveal himself (must be a man, surely?).
A welcome note from Peter McAuley sends good wishes from Dan Lavery (tSO Belfast) and Pat Catney (alright, he didn’t work for HMSO, but he ran The Kitchen Bar, the best pub in the vicinity of IDB House if not the whole six counties). John Straghan is currently Premises Officer for NI Court Service; Walter Roberts has now retired from the wedding stationery business; Esther Murdock (Esther Deyermond as was) is with Banner BelfaSt We are due a visit to Belfast in September, and will report back. Any messages? Who wants some dulce, or a bag of yellow man? Barbara Robbins joined HMSO in 1968 and was top of the tree of Personal Secretaries when she left in 1996. She still sees Mary Weatherhead, Beryl Deane, among others, and tells me that Mary Robinson is currently back in England on holiday from Australia (perhaps she wants to see the cricket team seen off in style?). Also correspondence from John and Gloria Flynn, recalling Pay Duty: ‘There was a cunning mechanism called the ‘secret total’ whereby the cashier would maintain an amount known only to himself. At the end of filling the packets, the amount over had to be exactly right, to prevent the temptation to slip in 1d or two into a packet, if short. Then off in the SO van to the wilds of Colindale etc.’ They also have copies of the notorious Not the Publishing News, and Internal Audit Quotable Quotes, 1982-87. Could be interesting. And an email from Esther Mackay, one of we few ITW survivors (must have a reunion in The Cornwall Arms) who is currently with DFES in Victoria. She also keeps up with Bill Baggs (last seen at Nine Elms?).
Who is featured in the national and local press during the dog days of July? Chris Stiven only stayed with HMSO for a couple of years — BS Marketing from 1994 — and is now running her own PR firm, which entitles her to a Lifestyle column in the local paper. She still manages more social activity in a weekend than I can remember achieving in a year. On the other hand, who would have thought that MJM Salt, that most cerebral of officers, would write to the Daily Telegraph and include the words ‘ . . . able to identify pink Uggs, let alone fake pink Uggs . . .’ Anyone interested in the reasons for this outburst should consult the Telegraph for 20 July. Sorry, Mike — it must be our age: I have just sent my (first ever) message to the BBC. Regarding Mark Lamarr. Don’t ask. By the way, the headline on the back page of my Sunday newspaper proclaimed ‘Freeman Destroys Wexford.’ Has our ex-Controller introduced Quality Circles into the Irish demolition business? It appears not — I take the Irish Independent and it was some sporting event. Someone else appearing in the Daily Telegraph is the Tory leadership contender, David Davis: ‘At 56, he comes-as he puts it — from ‘an older generation.’ He did not change nappies, opting instead to teach his children to ski and scuba-dive to make them brave.’ Good grief.
D Davis (and Mike Sarne, né Micky Scheuer, and Sir William Armstrong, né little Billy Armstrong, and Jim Berry, né ADF1, if you will allow a few names to drop) all went to Bec school in Tooting, as did I. Davis was three years my junior, so I did not know him (although I very much hope he was one of the ‘weeds’ thrown into the water tank during initiation rituals). He must have been taught by those new wave teachers: I am still changing nappies, even though they are my own, and wouldn’t know a scuba if I dived for one. Is this getting too self-indulgent? I really hope so.

* * * * *



August 2005 — One hundred and fifty days
The first of August 2005 marks 150 days of the HMSOldies website. Endless pages of Information Circulars; 21 pages of Memories, from the 1948 memoirs of David Roberts through synopses of 1977 Information Circulars (all those promotion boards!), right through to the present day. There are currently 74 Pictures , the earliest from 1914, and 15 people have been brave enough to kick off the ‘Where are they now and where have they been?’ People section.
Some very interesting correspondence has already been received from Canada, France, USA, Australia, Edinburgh, Belfast, London, Norwich. More from Bristol, Manchester, Gateshead, the old HMSO Regional Branches, Warehouses and Presses, Basildon, Cairo, BIS New York (c/o Messrs Furn and Rhodes); the lucky soul who did firewatch at Keysign House and anyone who survived a night out with Stan Smith, Marge Todd and John Doherty in The Barley Mow or The Craven Club would be excellent.
We hope to encourage correspondence from far and wide by any means possible in an effort to keep the Editor’s ramblings under control. To this end, there will henceforth be a prize for the Letter of the Month. The unique aspect of this alluring offer is that the writer can nominate the prize he/she wishes to receive. I can’t wait to read your responses. By the way, whatever you ask for, the prize is likely to be a pint in the Norwich Fat Cat. Unless your idea sounds better.
So if you have not accessed the site recently, please do so — if only to express your outrage at the Social Diary for 13-31 July which appears in the Information Circular section. Please send in your photos, reminiscences, scandals, and Enemies Reunited stuff. I can ensure anonymity if necessary.
And it’s all free.


6 Aug 2005 — A piece of HMSO history for sale, for £21,600,000
Hot on the heels of the July article in the Eastern Daily Press supplement extolling the wonders of Anglia Square, on 6 August the newspaper printed an article headed Anglia Square goes on market for £21.6m — owner admits shopping and office complex needs redevelopment.
Chris Starkie’s EDP article continues: ‘ . . . Anglia Square includes a shopping centre, two large empty office blocks, a Hollywood cinema, and a collection of car parks . . . (it) generates an income of £1.2m from tenants . . . the ten acre site . . . attracts about 200,000 visitors a week. The office blocks on the site — Sovereign House and Gildengate House — remain empty and are acknowledged as two of the biggest blots on Norwich’s landscape. Sovereign House was built in 1968 for the Stationery Office following its relocation from London. The building, which is more than 100,000 sq.ft., has not been occupied for more than five years and is in bad repair. It was caught up at the centre of a Parliamentary row after the Cabinet Office was saddled with a £1m bill for repairs and liability for rent. The Government, however, bought itself out of these liabilities. Four years ago Quintain proposed a scheme to redevelop Sovereign House and rename it Aurum House. Norwich City Council has more recently considered converting it into an hotel. Gildengate House was formally the home of the county archives which relocated to new premises at County Hall in 2003. It has been empty ever since. The site also includes a 750 space multi-storey car park and a neighbouring surface which are both currently let to NCP, as well as a number of other parcels of land used as car parking by RCP and vacant derelict land on Edward Street and Botolph Street.’
Interesting. Must have a word with the lady from Limerick who won all that money on the Euro Lottery. She might be interested in a project to turn it all into a ‘HMSO Theme Park’ along the lines of Alton Towers. Extreme Paperkeeping, Dodge the Pay Duty, HEO Ducking, Guess the Weight of the Paperclips, Stop the Leaks in the Computer Block, Poke the Printer, Tea Trolley Slalom — could be on to a winner.


6 Aug 2005 — Friday Club Frolics
‘The Friday Club’ (see previous article and pictures) visited the CAMRA London Beer Festival at Olympia, courtesy of an award-winning Norfolk brewery. Ringleader Plackett started the day in the coach at 7.45am by quaffing a pint of ‘Wherry’ , followed by many hot sausages and further liquid refreshment en route. A rather unusual female passenger promoted the merits of beer drinking in a voice more suited to a company sergeant major than a quiet coach ride! Many pleasant memories of the day survive even though one Peter Bradbury left his admission ticket at home and had to grovel to obtain a replacement from the Ringleader. Most members had almost sobered up by the time the coach dropped us off at the Park & Ride. Ask Peter to explain why his car was the only one locked in the car park overnight! Cecil H. Hughes


7 August 2005 — An apology: Ernie Downs
Sir, Having nothing better to do I have been getting up to date on the information (gossip) in your invaluable? publication. Looking at the photograph of the last Friday in the month group and accompanying text I find that I am mentioned but that my name has been spelt incorrectly. I may sue. E Downs
Dear Mr Downs, Profuse apologies for this unforgivable solecism. I wondered where I had put that spare letter ‘e’. No doubt we will also receive a Solicitor’s letter from Mr Downes, whoever he is. R Walker (Editor).


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