Hi Reg, Thanks for latest news from HMSOldies. Trust that you and family are well, we are both not doing too bad for a couple of oldies.
The Coronation brought back memories to me of when I did the review of all the Reprographic Units, including Buckingham Palace. I worked in the Palace for three weeks, and felt like a queen, every day, as I walked through the gates into the front hall. In the hall are eight rooms. Each one of them has a page dressed in velvet attire, and on my 3rd day the page in pink velvet stepped forward and said ‘Good morning madam. I believe you are reviewing our reprographic unit. Would you like to sign our visitor’s book?’ I duly signed the book – possibly the only member of HMSO ever to do so.
Another memory was when the Queen’s corgis were taken for their walks. Two Rolls Royce cars drew up at the back the dogs plus two dog walkers hopped in and off they went. Very precious and special two weeks for me working in the Palace. I don’t suppose they have a Reprographic unit there anymore.
Well Reg, I don’t think I have anything else to say. Please pass on my regards to everyone from HMSO.
Kind regards, Norma and Chris
Thank you, Norma. Good to hear from you, as ever, and to read your reminiscences from The Good Times. As you say, there is no Rep Unit at Buckingham Palace these days. We also had an OMRS/OMTS mechanic who visited when needed – and my father worked there occasionally when he was with the Ministry of Works/MPBW Upholstery Department.
Best wishes, Reg.
John Nash remembers the glory days: Pleased to read Norma’s latest offering from South Africa. Certainly not to outdo her reminiscences of visits to Buckingham Palace they triggered memories of my own. We were obviously fortunate that our jobs took us to such interesting locations. CRS had regular liaison with Palace officials and I sometimes went along with one of our ‘guvnors’ to take notes and initiate any further action. Then later, as EAC, I accompanied the Controller on a couple of occasions when we too had the mini tour, including a peek at the State Room behind the Balcony, though not the Balcony itself!
Another interesting titbit is that the ‘real John Nash’, the celebrated architect, ran into financial difficulties with the contract for renovations at the Palace. In spite of patronage from the Prince Regent, Nash had to appear before the Public Accounts Committee of the day; the budget had overrun and it appeared there might be other cost irregularities. What happened next do you think? In order to fend off his critics Nash sped to his offshore retreat – East Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight where he died in 1835.