Yes, my first Saturday job was at Woolies, aged 15. I was on the sweet counter and ate my own weight in chocolate brazils the first day.
Gransnet forums
Blogs
The wonder of Woolies
Elaine Everest remembers her Saturday job at Woolworths - the first step on her way to being an adult - with fondness. Did you have a Saturday job?
Mention Woolworths and people often reply, 'Pick n Mix' but for me it is early mornings catching a train to my first job, and Saturdays spent dusting plastic buckets and toilet rolls.
I was a Saturday girl at a branch of Woolies in Dartford, Kent. Back in the late sixties, schoolgirls could not start work until they were fifteen years and three months of age.
I was thrilled to be recommended to apply for a Saturday job by our assistant head teacher and sailed though the interview with 100% in the arithmetic test. The reason for the test was that in 1969 Woolworths tills did not add up purchases. Instead staff had to use a notepad and pencil that were attached to the waistband of our overalls by a piece of string. Once customers had selected their purchases we would carefully add up the items and ask the customer for the money. When a note was proffered we would have to hold it high over our head and call out, 'ten shillings' or 'one pound' before counting the correct change into the customers hand. Goods purchased would be wrapped in brown paper bags and with a ready smile we'd thank the customer.
Our day was ruled by bells. The early shop openings; tea breaks; lunch hour; and end of the trading day would be heralded by bells. Staff religiously worked their day by the sound.
We were never allowed to be idle, so when customers were few and far between we had to use a feather duster and dust the products on the high mahogany counters. For me that meant dusting orange buckets and washing up bowls along with boxes of toilet paper – the kind children used as tracing paper. To this day I can smell that paper!
Our day was ruled by bells. The early shop openings; tea breaks; lunch hour; and end of the trading day would be heralded by bells. Staff religiously worked their day by the sound.
A special time for me was collecting my brown pay packet at the end of the day. I earned one pound and had thruppence (old money) deducted for my National Insurance stamp. This money replaced my pocket money. Coming from a working class family and wanting to not only 'stay on a year' at school but planning to head to college to study accounts, I had to help pay my way.
In the late sixties our fathers would tax allowance when children reached the age of sixteen and children were not allowed to be idle. It was expected that we worked on Saturdays and also in school holidays. 'Working the week' was quite an honour and would mean we were just over five pounds better off after working hard for five and a half days.
Oh what those few shilling could be spent on each week. I was encouraged to save but would also spend money on fabric and patterns to make the latest fashions and also put money by at a local boutique for a maxi coat. How I loved that long brown tweed coat and wore it proudly with a purple floppy brimmed hat and long hand-knitted scarf. I was certainly the 'bees knees' in my trendy gear!
For me, Woolworths meant a step into adulthood and being a grown up.
Elaine's new book, The Woolworths Girls, is published by Pan Macmillan and is available from Amazon.
By Elaine Everest
Twitter: @ElaineEverest
My youngest son had a Saturday job in Sainsbury and I was surprised when he said "it's a funny job mum,I have to scrape off all the mouldy cheese and repack and price them"I would never have thought there was such a job. Waste not want not I suppose
My first saturday job was in Woolworths 1962. I was 14 going on 15, and was put on the ladies underwear counter. The fashion at the time was for huge net, hooped skirts, which hung and floated above the counter on hangers that hung from some invisible rain high up over the counter. We used hooks to get them down. Beautiful, frilly and sugar and spicy. I loved it! Then one saturday I got in and was told that I was to change departments. I was put on the loose vegetables! Can you imagine! My long painted nails, high heels etc etc. serving up dirty, muddy potatoes and onions that were full of little flies and bugs!! My next step was out of the door. Promptly went over the road and got a job in the Co operative department store. Back on Underwear. Loads of jobs then, you could get a job anywhere. Hairdressers were always popular, but didn't pay as much.
I was a Saturday girl in our local pram and toy shop, it felt great to be earning my own money,I cannot remember how much it was now.
Worked at Littlewoods as my Saturday job - I ended up on the Wool Counter which they trusted me to run on my own.
I had a Saturday job at a little local shop at the top of the road we lived in, that sold tobacco, sweets, and some pharmaceutical items. I think i was 13 or 14 when I started in the middle of winter with snow on the ground, and when I arrived they asked if I would mind taking the dog for a walk first! ( of course I was happy to). At first I was a bit embarrassed when asked for items such as suppositories but now I'm on the other side of the counter! I loved weighing the sweets from the jars and tipping them into paper bags. I was also doing a peoer round mon- sat plus a Sunday one. It paid for the records I bought along with the tizer and spaceships, blackjacks, sherbert fountains, Fry's chocolate cream bars, etc
I works in woolies at Clapham junction, London, early sixties.
I was on the glass counter.
I remember there was sawdust on the floors.
It was only temporary as went on to train in secretarial work, but thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
I worked in Woolworths on a Saturday in 1967 in Newbury. I earned 12/6d. This is now the price (roughly) of a first class postage stamp! Out of that, I paid bus fare and bought lunch.!!!
I worked in Woolworths on a Saturday in 1967 in Newbury. I earned 12/6d. This is now the price (roughly) of a first class postage stamp! Out of that, I paid bus fare and bought lunch.!!!
I worked on a Saturday in BHS Lewisham London 1974 and I loved it I got £5 and I use to get the left over ham and egg pie reduced and anything else mum loved it.
I was on Hats and women's clothing and was training to be a window dresser but left to work in Eaton square
I remember I had saved £1.00 for Christmas presents, and got something for everyone in Woolworths.
I could eat a Fry's chocolate cream bar tight now!.
Right of course, d..n tablet.
I liked the five centre bar too.
Sweetcakes, how sad that Bhs has gone to the wall. How many others went into good old Bhs and had such fun trying on all the hats? Mum and I did and it brings back happy memories.
My first ever Saturday job was on a fruit and Vegetable stall. It was freezing. I was scared to death of the owner and all for the princely sum of £4.50! It was 1979, oh the good old days
BlueBellwoods1122' the Newbury branch of Woolies was the last one I ever entered shortly before they all closed. I have never worked in Woolies but have spent hours wandering in them, especially the one in Sidcup when I was a child/teenager. Happy days.
Sad to see Woollies go, but maybe it had it's day,still online though I think?
I worked on the sweet counter in Woolworths every Saturday in 1965 when I was 15. It was the store in the market place Leicester and I vividly remember the polished wooden floor. There was no pic n mix. Everything had to be weighed out accurately and I can remember being watched by the stern store manager who told me off for putting a few too many cashews on the scales.Truth was I didn't know he was watching and I had taken pity on an elderly lady who had asked for 2oz of cashew nuts.Naughtily I did that a few times. Shame on me. LOL
Join the conversation
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »