Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Memories, Music and Movies – 1970/1971 – On the stage – Interview – Full time employment -Rod Stewart and Shirley Bassey by Sally Cronin

I cannot remember a time when music and movies where not a part of my life.

1970/1971 – On the stage – Interview – Full time employment -Rod Stewart and Shirley Bassey

In the first part of 1970, apart from studying for my secretarial and commercial o’level exams, I joined the college dramatic society under the direction of Mrs. Betty Lavington. This led to a leading role in that year’s production…Passion Flower, the operetta version of Carmen. To say that the last night of the run was dramatic was putting it mildly and did share recently how the events of that night impacted my dreams of going on the stage and you can read all about it if you missed the post: Thank you Mrs Lavington – Sally aged Seventeen

In July of 1970 I left Highbury Technical College with a diploma in secretarial studies. Whilst I worked the summer along the seafront in my role as taste controller for the whipped ice-cream machine!… I was also occupied with finding my first full-time job. To be honest I was earning around £7 a week with tips and was slightly disheartened to see that my diploma only qualified me for jobs that paid £6.50 or less in some offices.

My mother felt that at least it would be a stepping stone to better things in the future and that selling ice-creams was not necessarily a career. I persisted and indeed attended several interviews. One stands out in my mind as a watershed moment. The interview was conducted by a rather fossilised lady of a certain age who reminded me of my headmistress. The lady in question was a lovely human being I am sure but her opening statement made me reconsider my application.

‘I have worked here for Gamble Your Money Away Solicitors since I was a gal myself you know, forty years and just coming up for retirement. I am looking for a worthy replacement that I can train into my job over the next year.’

The next day when the evening paper came out I decided to change tack and lo and behold an advert leapt out of the page at me.

Secretary/Receptionist required for Dental Practice in Southsea.

Two days later I was interviewed by Roland Phillips.. He too was on the elderly side and in fact was 67 years old. I was seventeen but we hit it off and I was hired to begin the following Monday.

That was the September of 1970, but things evolved by accident. As we entered 1971, his full-time chair-side assistant collapsed during a surgical procedure. I heard the thump as I was preparing the accounts for Mr. Phillips private patients. Even though I only entered the surgery occasionally my uniform was a smart white coat over black skirt and white blouse.

This was intended to impress upon the patients that all the staff in the practice – the three of us were dental professionals.

I feared the worst. Had the patient fallen out of the chair during the procedure or even worse had Mr. Phillips succumbed to his advanced years in the middle of surgery. It quickly became apparent that this was not the case.

‘Miss Coleman, please get in here immediately.’

I entered the surgery to find that his nurse was now sitting in a chair holding her head in her hands and looking very pale around the gills.

‘Ah Miss Coleman,’ he smiled at the patient who was looking a little discomforted at this point, mouth wide open and wide-eyed.

‘Could you be so kind to take over and continue with the suction.’

It turned out that the lovely nurse who had been with him for many years was unexpectedly pregnant and could no longer stand the sight of blood. Luckily I was not squeamish and we swapped roles.

I learned on the job as well as studied at home with books from Mr. Phillips library. Over the next two years it became just the two of us and I learned a huge amount from this former Army dentist. You can read more about the adventures Thank you Roland Phillips DDS for teaching me about work ethics

In the February of 1971 I was 18 years old and my father who had retired officially from the navy in late January was able to pull off a very special treat to celebrate. His last job in the Royal Navy was as Staff Weapons Electrical Officer Bellerophon, which was the headquarters for Reserve Ships, based in HMS Belfast berthed alongside the shore establishment HMS Excellent.

HMS Belfast was also officially retired in January 1971 but it would be July before she was moved to her new berth and restoration on the Thames in London. My father wangled the use of the Captain’s Cabin on HMS Belfast before he left the ship for an early celebration of my 18th. I chose the menu. Beef Wellington and Baked Alaska. A wonderful memory.

So to the music of 1971 and there was still a very mixed bag in the top 10 of the day. Number one was Dawn with Knock Three Times followed by Rod Stewart – Maggie May (a hot favourite at the club I frequented on Tuesday and Thursday nights), TRex with Hot Love, George Harrison – My Sweet Lord, The Tams – Hey Girl Don’t Bother Me, The Mixtures – Pushbike Song, Diana Ross – I’m Still Waiting (popular too on Tuesdays and Thursdays to end the night with!) The New Seekers – Never Ending Song of Love and Judy Collins with Amazing Grace.

The one song that stuck out like a sore thumb for most of us teens was Clive Dunn with Grandad and number 5 for the year!

Anyway in honour of Rod Stewart fans and all the times I tripped the light fantastic to the song.. Maggie May.  Courtesy Rod Stewart

There were a couple of gems further down the charts… At 35 James Taylor with You’ve Got A Friend, at 50 The Jackson Five with I’ll Be There and Neil Diamond with Sweet Caroline another one of my all time favourites.

The films of the year were also a mixed bag. Clockwork Orange, The French Connection, Dirty Harry, Harold and Maude (great film if you can get a copy) The Omega Man, The Last Picture Show and of course a Bond film.. Diamonds Are Forever.

The wonderful Shirley Bassey gave this movie theme song the star touched treatment. Thanks to James Reed

1971 was the year that I fell in love for the first time.. And got my heart broken.. It was not to be the last time but like a bad cold boosts your immune system, heartbreak boosts your capacity to love…

Next time 1972..strikes, antiques, hairpieces, Amazing Grace and the Godfather…..