Hi Reg, It was nice to see a picture of Cornwall House again. I wonder what has happened to it. It would be difficult to knock it down or to modernise it for the use of computers. Whilst I looked after the COI Section I was asked by them if I could lecture new entrants to the Civil Service and talk to them about HMSO and in particular, parliamentary printing. The first lecture that I ever gave was at Cornwall House. It was a very cold day and I had just got started when there was a power cut or a main fuse went in the building and all the lights and power went off. Not the best of starts, I am sure that you will agree.
People started to complain that the room was cold and it was difficult to see. After me talking for about 10 minutes I was due to show them a film of St Stephen’s Parliamentary Press and Hansard being produced. After some delay I gave up and managed to move the students to another building where I was able to continue with my lecture.
I gave many lectures again after that, but never again at Cornwall House. I never had the same problem again because COI stopped using Cornwall House for lectures at least. If it is still there, let us hope that it has been rewired.
Best wishes, John Barker
Hello John, Good to hear from you, with reminiscences of Cornwall House days. We wouldn’t know the old place these days – ‘Stamford Street Apartments,’ as they are now called, will no doubt be swirling with many an HMSO ghost and the occasional Imperial Father!
The circular note to HMSOldies brought some welcome contact from around the country, including from Jane Burgis, Mike Betts, Norman Armstrong, Eric Bone, John Eveson, Keith Batchelor, Malcolm Horton, Dave Burchell, John Eason, Mike Eastwood, Jim Wilson, Sue Whitaker, Tony Gummett, Chris Gould, John Straghan, Anita Ragan and Brian Watt. Good to hear that they are all still thriving
All the best until the next time. Reg