Life at Jarrolds

A TIME TO SAY GOOD-BYE: 1963

BERT SONES of the Composing Room retired on Friday, 12 July, after thirty-five years’ service with the firm.

Mr Sones started his career with Jarrolds in 1928 at Yarmouth and came to work in Norwich at Easter, 1941, after the Yarmouth premises were blitzed.

During the First World War he served in Egypt, Palestine and France with the Suffolk Yeomanry, and had four sons serving in the Second World War.

Mr Sones was presented with a clock and barometer by his colleagues in the Composing Room, and, in making the presentation, Mr John Jarrold spoke of the changes that had taken place in the firm during Mr Sones’ long service — a service, in fact, one year less than Mr John’s himself. He wished Mr Sones many years of happy retirement and pointed out that in his choice of presents Mr Sones had already proved that he was not afraid of having time on his hands (see photograph).

Bert Sones (left) being presented with a clock by Mr John Jarrold (right). In the background are two members of the Composing Room, Richard Banks and Geoffrey French.

In his reply Mr Sones thanked Mr John for his good wishes and his colleagues for their gifts. He had always enjoyed the variety of work in the Composing Room and now, having celebrated his sixty-sixth birthday the previous day, was looking forward to an equally enjoyable retirement.

He would, he continued, find that time did not hang too heavily on his hands; although he had no garden of his own, four sons had already hinted that they would be glad of a helping hand in theirs.

ROBERT HARDY retired at the end of May after serving twenty-two years in the Letterpress department. Bob will be remembered for his consistent good humour: he always had a smile for everybody. We wish both him and his wife a long and happy retirement.

GEOFFREY CHAPMAN, one of Jarrold’s greatest characters, retired on May 28 after being with the firm for twenty years.

Although technically a member of the Bindery, there can be few people in the whole of the factory or shop who did not get to know Geoffrey at some time or another. His popularity was reflected in the record collection made on his behalf, which enabled him to receive an oil stove and a wrist-watch, at a presentation in the department made by Mr Barker and the Chairman of the Chapel.

HORACE HISCOCKS who retired on 28 June was for long well known to Jarrolds’ employees as the presiding genius of the Gravure department.

	Horace Hiscocks receiving a farewell present from Cecil Bye.

On the closing down of this department he moved to Litho Process where his abilities and great experience were much appreciated.

Horace is shown receiving a farewell gift from Mr Cecil Bye, head of Litho Process, and his colleagues.

Also in the picture are, from left to right: Frank Winsworth, – ?, Horace Hiscocks, Eddie Cooper, – ? Peter Carver, Trevor Thompson, Cecil Bye, Bernard Remmington, Jimmy Burrell, –?.

This extract comes from the Jarrold Magazine, 1963.