Bristol man still works for same firm he joined in during Blitz
WHEN Hedley Stephens first started work, the centre of Bristol was being bombed by the Luftwaffe and he was paid 52-and-a-half pence a week.
Seven decades later, the 84-year-old is still turning up for work with the same law firm and says he has no intention of giving up his job just yet.
Mr Stephens started his working life as an office boy with family law firm Cooke Painter Solicitors in October 1940 and for the first six months he earned just half-a-guinea a week.
Although he is still full of energy and drive, the keen gardener spends just one day a week in work with the firm, which is well known across south Bristol, working as an office clerk. Despite his years he is still more than happy to get out of bed when the alarm goes off.
He said: "I don't need to go into work, but it keeps the old grey matter working and it gives me something to look forward to. I still like going into the office and meeting people from all walks of life; that is one of the best things about being in work."
Mr Stephens was born and brought up in Whitchurch, but now lives in Bishop Sutton, in North Somerset, with his wife Kathleen, who is also 84. He is still the picture of health, even though he has had a hip replacement and suffered a heart attack in recent years.
Much of his time is spent tending his beloved garden but he is more than happy to slip into his suit, even though he officially retired in 1994.
Mr Stephens progressed through the ranks of the law firm, but never became a solicitor.
He said: "When I first started work I was an office boy and was based in Victoria Street in the city centre. It was a strange time because we had to go all over the city delivering letters and parcels to different firms.
"But at the same time we had the Blitz, they were dreadful times for the city."
Mr Hedley added: "I never had a formal education, I went up through the ranks. As they say, my education came from the university of life, but I enjoyed every minute of it.
"The whole legal system has changed several times during my life but when I retired they wanted me to still come in and help out. I still have contact with lots of people who I have known all of my working life."
Paul Mason from Cooke Painter solicitors said: "Hedley is one of life's gentlemen, one of those charming people who gets on with everyone.
"He is great for his age, his mind is as sharp as it has ever been.
"He is an incredible man and a lovely person."
5 Comments
by Shane, Bristol
Wednesday, October 20 2010, 4:16PM
“Well, who me (or should that be, who me?, it is a question after all) if it wasn't for this man's generation, we'd all be speaking with a German accent. I don't want to start a lecture on social history but it was mostly the generation after this gentleman who bought up most of the social housing under Thatcher's right to buy policy. House prices are about supply and demand, not anything this man has done. Get a grip will you?”
by Shane, Bristol
Wednesday, October 20 2010, 4:07PM
“If the current Goverment get their way, we'll all be working until this age.
All joking aside, hat off to you Sir for showing the lazy scroungers how to be a useful member of society. Well done!”
by who me, bristol
Wednesday, October 20 2010, 4:03PM
“congratulations on reaching your 80's
i just wished your generation had not bought up all the houses and now are trying to flog them back to there grandchildren or great grand children for vast profits.”
by Denise, Bristol
Wednesday, October 20 2010, 9:37AM
“What a truly unpleasant person you are Roger that you can find nothing better to do than criticise an old man who has worked all his life and not lived off benefits. Shame on you!”
by Roger, Bedminster
Wednesday, October 20 2010, 8:55AM
“So he started as an office boy 70 years ago, progressed through the ranks, and now he's worked his way up all the way to office clerk! Sadly, social mobility is decreasing, so today's youngsters can't look forward to this sort of meteoric career progression.”