How did you get your first job?

My first job was as teenager and was with the family clothing business, Burslem & Sons. At that point I was the great grandson of the original Burslem. The firm had two sales, one in January and one in July, and probably when I was 13 or 14 my father suggested that I might like to help out. My first duties were running odd jobs for various staff who were rushed off their feet as the sales were very busy.

One of the jobs was fetching the sandwiches for the staff from Poveys, a local baker. They were freshly made and I can still taste the roast pork sandwich. Although I have tried to replicate them over the years I have never been successful. Over the years I moved up and by the time I was 15 or 16 I was allowed to serve behind the shirt counter selling shirts, ties and gloves.

I remember making some big sales of which I was very proud. The truth is I really didn't sell them, more that the customer knew what they wanted and bought them. Eventually my brother did the odd jobs as being a family business it was all "hands to the pump" at sales time. Both my Mum and Pop were working in the shop and and I even remember my great uncle Sidney Joel,who was my grandfather's brother,coming in to help at sale time.

It was great experience and of course I had a pay packet at the end of it.