‘Non-affectionate’ memories of H.H. & S. Budgett

Imagine calculating 2 tons, 3 cwts, 3 quarters, one stone and five pounds of currants, at less than 2½ % shrinkage, at threepence halfpenny per pound”!

“After I had been with the department for about a month Lawrence turned to me and wrote POPPLESTONE on a piece of paper “Yes”, I said. “My mother was a Popplestone.” He then told me that my grandfather Samuel Popplestone had been a corn buyer for the firm and that he remembered him coming into the department with a top hat and frock tailed coat. Samuel P. at that time had a corn shop dealing with American corn in West Street. *Lawrence said that my walk had prompted him. It was exactly like my grandfather’s”.

“The General Manager at that time was a man called Phillips which didn’t make my task any easier. When I lifted the telephone and said cheerily “Phillips”, the person on the other end would grovel and say “Oh, I’m so sorry, sir, I was trying to get Invoices.”

“‘Invoices’ were part of a teeming mass of employees still in the open plan office of vast proportions. On my left were the Ledger girls who sat a yard away with their backs to me. Nearest and most senior of them was Elsie Lethaby. Conversation between the girls and me was often hilarious – and General Manager Phillips didn’t like it, but he never interfered. I thought at the time he was giving me a loose rein so that I could cut my own throat”.  (as quoted – mixed metaphor!)

“After Invoices I was transferred to the Warehouse, then to the Retail section and then ‘on the road’ taking the place of representatives who were indisposed or on leave. It was this last assignment that broke the camel’s back. I didn’t like the shopkeepers and I didn’t like didn’t like the words “Budgetts? Not today!” shouted across a shopful of customers”.