Sad news received from Jean Maskell, via Sue Whitaker: Mary Brown died on Wednesday 5th August, of pancreatic cancer, just 6 weeks after she was diagnosed. The family notice can be seen here. Mary joined HMSO on 1 November 1983 and worked in Registry with Rita Tuttle before transferring to IT as EO where she…
Author: Robert Stutely
9 August 2020 – John Barker’s nostalgic trip down Nine Elms Lane
Dear Reg, I hope that you and your family are well and managing to cope with Covid 19. For some time now I have been thinking about paying a visit to where I used to work at our two buildings situated down Nine Elms Lane. One of course our head office at that time in…
Derek John Croft 1938–2020
The sad news that Derek died on 20 July 2020 came from Mike Trigg, who worked with him for many years in the Publications Centre, London. Derek joined HMSO Post and Trade, Cornwall House, in 1966 and also worked in Holborn Bookshop. Post-retirement he was a popular member of the Christmas pub reunions and invariably…
6 Aug 2020 – From ‘English Jack’ [Keating]
I have just watched and read the two interviews the American Commander in Chief, President Trump, gave to reporters Chris Wallace and Jonathan Swan. I found it a little embarrassing watching him fumble and fart around. Talking about the pandemic, saying that the United States is lowest in numerous categories. “We’re lower than the world.…
23 Jul 2020 – HMSOldies to Les Birch: Top of the HMSO Seniority List!
Hello Les, I am sure that all of your old friends and colleagues join me in wishing you a very happy birthday. Hoping that, despite the present circumstances, you can enjoy it in the traditional way. Best wishes, Reg Hilary Birch replies: How lovely thank you. We are with the birthday boy today (now that…
Victor Oswald Kefford 1942–2020
The sad news that Vic died at home in Norwich, following a heart attack, on 21 June 2020, came from Andy White and Kevin White, who had worked with him in his later years at OGC. Vic joined HMSO on 2 May 1966, as Clerical Officer in Finance Division. He transferred to CCTA in the…
HMSO Sovereign House from first footings to graffiti stricken ruin
Stuart McPherson is well known and admired around Norwich for his insightful photographic commentaries on his Home City, not least in the area of Anglia Square and the oft-lambasted Sovereign House development. This series of photographs will bring back a host of memories for so many ex-HMSO staff and their families.
8 June 2020 – From Ken Arnoldi
Hello Reg, See this extract from a letter, which may be of interest to HMSOldies, from Pauline and Ron Smyth, former HMSO employees. My wife met Pauline by chance in 2001 and lent her a copy of the HMSO Graphic Design book. [From Layout to Graphic Design] ‘We both worked in Publications Division from 1937…
28 May 2020 – From Roger Nash
In the past, you said you wanted something happy. Well – attached is some happy news – for us anyway. Roger and Barbara Nash have been married 60 years! We got married at Bromley Registry Office on the 28th May 1960. We moved to Norwich with the Advance Party and started work at Norvic House…
David Edwin ‘Ed’ Crickmore 1944-2020 & Carole Eileen Crickmore 1944-2020
Ed Crickmore Sue Prutton passed on the following sad news, which she had received from Ed’s wife Carole, on 20 May 2020: ‘Ed died this afternoon. Very peacefully, the nurses were getting him ready to come home tomorrow and he just went. No fuss, no pain, he just stopped. It was so quick we didn’t…