Dear Reg, I found this photo when tidying up Sinclair’s things. I think it was taken probably after the annual midsummer Halvergate marshes walk. Looking at Sinclair would guess taken probably in the late ’80s? Could that be the Berney Arms they’re at? On the back someone has written “Thought you might like a…
Author: Robert Stutely
23 January 2019 – From English Jack (Keating)
So we come to the end of another year and start a new one. Looking back it was a rather uneventful one . . . as far as I can remember. We went on a short cruise around September which did not go well. I bought a mobility scooter because Kate was having trouble with…
22 January 2019 – From Sue Prutton
HMSOldies kindly publicised the Norwich Charity Christmas Card Shop where I have volunteered for some years. We were thrilled that by the end of our short season we had taken over £35K and even more thrilled to say that, as ever, every single penny goes to the charities. Overheads are kept to a minimum and…
Patricia Anne Noller 1948-2019
The sad news that Pat died on 6 January was announced in the Norwich Evening News dated 23 January 2019. Pat joined HMSO Norwich in 1968 and was promoted to Clerical Officer, Supplies Division, in May 1969.
Norman Armstrong MBE 1933-2019
Sad news received from John Straghan in Belfast to the effect that Norman Armstrong has died, after a short illness, on 17 January 2019. Funeral arrangements can be found here. Norman joined HMSO in 1969 and was promoted to HP&GO (Print, Belfast) in 1986. He was always most friendly and helpful, even through the most…
Sinclair Simpson 1933-2018
We received this sad news from Sinclair’s wife Ann-Marie. Sinclair joined HMSO Print in 1958, and worked in Norwich until his retirement, maintaining his devotion to QPR throughout! Dear Reg I am very sorry to let you know that my dear husband, Sinclair, passed away in the early hours of yesterday (Tuesday 18 December) morning.…
Alexander Arthur Smith 1927-2018
Alex on the left, with Brian Minett and Jim McDonald We received the sad news, from his daughter Diana, via John Cripps, that Alex died peacefully, at home in York, on 18 December 2018. Alex joined HMSO in January 1951 as a Technical Clerk in Printing and Binding. He retired as Director General, alongside Ken…
13 December 2018 – At The Fat Cat, Norwich
Fellow Songsters Below is a final record of a singing group that has existed, in one form or another, for around 50 years. In the form recorded below it has taken place in Norwich since Christmas 1974 (45 years), a proud record indeed! Brian Ekers
11 December 2018 – HMSOldies at The Royal Oak, Borough, London
The annual December meeting of the HMSO Friends of Reprographic Managers met at the Royal Oak, Borough, on 11 December: photo taken by Bill Ekers. Sue Whitaker, Brian Ekers, Pat Kennedy and Reg Walker made it, as did 16 Customers and Suppliers. Despite photographic evidence to the contrary, Walker was neither drunk nor comatose. Not…
23 November 2018 – From Les Birch
Dear Reg, Your piece [about Whitaker’s Almanacs on Facebook] reminded me of an episode in the 80s during the early years of my retirement when I was wandering round some little town in Gloucestershire (can’t remember which one) and I went into a second-hand bookshop where I was confronted by a run of Whitaker’s from…