Part 4

 

I Leave CVA

June 05 2026

It was in about 1968 that I was given my final notice. I had been warned some time previous that the day would eventually come. Being under notice as I was, I had ample time in which to look for another job.

I had an interview at Brown & Sharpe at Plymouth, who had taken on the rights to the CVA 12 Auto, and was offered the job of building them down there. However, I was a setter, not a fitter, so I turned that down.

Another avenue that I had followed was becoming an instructor on automatics at Government Training Centres. For this, I had to travel to Port Talbot in South Wales to do a trade test, which I passed. By that time, the Centres were closing, so that was all a waste of time.

It must have been about 1973 when I finally picked up my toolbox and left CVA for the last time.

A New Venture

Operating the NC Jig Borer

I still had no job, but a friend of my wife, Norma Brown, said that her husband wanted to see me. Along with another ex-CVA employee, John Reed — both former programmers at CVA — they had a Numerical Control Jig Borer that they wanted me to operate. Well, I was out of work, so I gave it a go.

What Does One Do After a Broken Leg?

June 08 2026

After an interval away due to a broken leg, I hadn't worked for several months. We were going through a period of rule by Margaret Thatcher when the engineering trade had virtually collapsed. Well, my CB radio chats were soon to pay dividends.

Bolloms offered me a job refurbishing a shed full of returned roller towel machines. I set about my task and eventually caught up with the refurbishment of the machines. Not only did I repair them, but I was very soon driving all over the southern counties installing them. I had never driven much farther than Brighton or Worthing before!

Worthing Technical College

I hadn't bargained on stopping there, and I saw a job at Worthing Technical College which I went for. I applied, had an interview, then heard no more until one day I received a call telling me that I didn't get the job I had applied for. However, if I would like to do it on a temporary basis, it was mine until then. The money was fantastic, and I stayed a couple of years earning a bomb, but with no long-term future for me there.

Back to a 'Proper Job' at Le Carbone

June 10 2026

Whilst on a job delivering locally, I had to go to Shoreham. The lady I saw had previously been a neighbour at my previous address. The place I was delivering to was an employment agency, and she was surprised at the delivery boy knowing my previous history. She told me what the agency was, and I told her that I had previously applied there. She said to leave it to her.

Very soon, I had a letter from the company Le Carbone at Portslade Village. I applied straight away. I had an interview, and I was back into what I call a PROPER JOB.

It was as a shift inspector for the machine shop, and the hours weren't bad either: 7 to 7, four days a week — four on and four off. When I asked the manager why I hadn't been accepted the first time, I was told they thought I was too qualified!

However, I spent my last fourteen working years there, moved my previous pension into theirs, and remained there for the rest of my working career.