I Started Work at EKCO in 1951 by Mrs. Joan Peters |
After leaving school at 15 in 1951, I started work at EKCO PLastics as an Office Girl under the benevolent guidance of Mr. W. A. Skellern, as very kindly gentleman and a great help in a strange new environment. I would cycle from Westcliff which is where I lived before I was married to clock in at 8.30am. |
After learning to type and take shorthand, I gradually progressed to become secretary to the Chief Inspector, Mr. S. (Bill) Day, who was a very colourful character. He was extremely well read and could quote from Shakespeare or Hardy, but could also swear like a trooper having been brought up in the East End of London. |
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There were many trips also to collect stationery and Petty Cash from the top offices which fronted Priory Park (if you couldn’t grab an office boy to do it for you).
All the post addressed to the Inspection Department was opened by me and lesser matters could be dealt with at my discretion. Outgoing post was collected each day by the Post Girls to be taken to the top offices. Similarly each Friday the Wages Clerks came round with your pay packets in notes and coins.
We had two telephones; and internal and external and these were always busy. A great deal of time was also expended by myself in answering queries if my boss was away or otherwise engaged. You were not expected to be away from your post for too long. I remember in my early callow days I was and got a severe rocket from David Radford. Never happened again! |
| Once a week there was a Production Meeting and I was called upon to take the minutes. This usually lasted all morning and was quite arduous. It involved many pages of shorthand which then had to be typed on special duplicating paper, run off on the Roneo and circulated to all concerned. It was very messy and there was a deadline. I remember very fondly my relationships with both management and staff. In the course of any day you would come into contact with dozens of people both male and female. As my own experience and knowledge grew, it was always rewarding to secure the respect and acknowledgement that you were contributing to the smooth running of the office. I was truly upset when the Sales Director purloined me and I was transferred to his team, although it was a promotion and I had my own office, I always missed the hurly burly of my previous position and the down-to-earth approach of Bill Day. |
The Sales Department |
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In the Sales Department, the atmosphere was rather different. Tongues were smoother and sometimes fudged the truth in order not to rock the boat too much. A great deal of work at this time was keeping track of the Industrial Reps i.e., those that brought in orders for parts to be used with cars, refrigerators, cameras, M.O.D. work, etc. Typing estimates for jobs tendered and if successful issuing a M.W.O. (Master Works Order) for the job. As Sales Director, my boss, Frank Pullen, would probably not be in the office two-three days a week, and so I was heavily involved with the Sales Manager and Sales Office Manager. |
Making a good cup of tea or coffee was also important when customers were around and presenting it attractively, making sure his desk was dusted, tidied and orderly for when he came back into the office. |
Ekco Sports & Social |
My future husband Barry and I were always keen participants in the sports side of the company. As many will acknowledge, we had a first-rate Sports Ground. I joined the Netball Club and we were very successful in the early '60s winning many trophies in the local league. |
Barry played both football and cricket for EKCO and to instil enthusiasm in me for the latter game I became scorer for the Sunday side. One of the highlights of the sporting calendar were the fixtures against Pye (Cricket) and Plessey (Football and Netball). The two companies were also big players in the manufacturing industries at the time. Another sport we both enjoyed was Table Tennis, which both Barry and I played as part of the Ekco Table Tennis Club, and again there were many enjoyable matches for both Mens and Ladies teams, which were played in the EKCO canteen. |
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I met many colourful personalities during my time with this famous company who made going to work a pleasure: |
Johnny Heisu (?), passionate about football and cricket and an ardent Manchester United fan who could quote you chapter and verse on most aspects of football. Barbara Pearman, secretary to Reg Earle, who was in charge of the Social & Sports Club. How we girls all wanted to emulate her 'Doris Day' glamour. We also had two Carnival Queens from the ranks of EKCO Personnel. Barbara Murray and one whose name has vanished from my memory. To be chosen as Carnival Queen in those days was a huge honour. It took place at the Odeon Cinema and she was usually crowned by a celebrity of the time. The event was always packed. |
I finished working at EKCO Plastics in 1965 as secretary to Mr. F. C. Pullen, Sales Director. My job was always most interesting throughout my career. Many people did not appreciate that as well as the radio and TV side of the business, we made plastics for Rolls Royce, Kodak, the M.O.D., as well as many domestic items: bowls, buckets, toilet seats, and baby products, etc. |
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Photos Courtesy of Joan Peters
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© The South East Echo 2008
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