Anna Martin (McDowell)

Wages Department ....problems in the snow

Anna and her colleagues enjoy a break in the sun in Berkshire's beautiful gardens in 1959.
Anne White, Phyllis Edwards, Anna Martin, Betty Morrison, Marjorie Mclaughlin and Sharon Ennis(nee Locking)

In the year she was due to leave school Anna recalls well being asked by Mr Bobby Little, Principal of Movilla School, to go to the nearby Berkshire factory for an interview for a job. She was interviewed by Russ Payne and after many questions she was asked what was so special about 4th July. Being able to say that it was the American Day of Independance impressed Russ so much that she was offered a job. Anna worked along with Angela Starr (nee Stratton) in the Works Office before moving to the Wages Department. Here she worked with Bill Henderson, Doris Glover (nee Eagleson) Marguerite McFadzean, and Jacqueline Moore (nee Clegg.) One of her best memories was of the severe snow fall in 1963, when the power failed and the 'calculating machines' were down.
Wages gave everyone an 'estimated advance' for that week. However, the snow disappeared and the following week they issued the levelling part of the wages.....only to be inundated by complaints that more tax than usual had been deducted. This too was not correct but try telling that to those who' would not listen'. Anna left in 1966 with the feelings, like so many of her colleagues, that Berkshire really was a great place to work.
Thank You Anna
.....oh.....
PS... Anna has unearthed a mysterious pack of playing cards bearing the Berkshire International (UK) Ltd logo from circa 1965. Did you have a similar pack?? Let us know.