Delivering Newspapers for W H Smith
My friend Chris advised me that he was leaving WHS and asked if I wanted a job. I certainly did! The hours were 7-8 a.m. Monday to Saturday and the Education Committee issued a card stating when I was allowed work and for how long.
Chris was with me on my first morning. We went to the WHS back entrance, in Lower Bedford Street, where a man sorted the papers into rounds and addresses. Chris collected the papers into a heavy canvas bag with the WHS logo and we were off! I was paid 7s 6d per week and extra for evenings.
The Central Leamington Round covered: Hazel Smith, Regent Street, Woodwards, Midland Bank, Cadena Café, Town Hall, Barclays Bank, National Provincial Bank, Wallhead, John Staite, Euston Place, 32 Hamilton Terrace, Jephson Villa, Health Office and 2 Regent Grove. Up to you to guess which papers each had!
We then cycled home. Next day I was on my own, with some extra Courier papers. I also delivered some evening papers to the Clarendon Hotel, Regent Grove, Pump Rooms, Public Library, and the Bedford Inn.
During some heavy snow, I was the only paper boy who turned up for delivery – and one customer did complain that the papers were late! Sadly, I can’t recall if I ever had any tips at Christmas.
by Terry Gardner, June 2023