My Years with The Press ( 1958 – 2000 )
When I left school my first job was a van boy with George Outram , publishers of The Glasgow Herald , Evening Times and The Bulletin .
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In 1960 , I was promoted upstairs to work as a copy-boy and learn to be a sub editor ( journalist ) with The Bulletin . Unfortunately , in 1961 this ceased publication so instead I became head boy at the post desk in the main front office and delivered mail to the various departments in the building .
My best opportunity came when I was offered a full-time position in the Telecommunications Department known as the Wire and Picture Room where we received news and pictures from around the world .
My work included going on Mobile breaks covering the Open Golf Championship , the Seal cull on Orkney and the Pope ’ s visit to Bellahouston to name a few . I had a mobile transmitter to send back to the office the photographs taken by the photographer . How technology has changed !!!
During my time in the Wire Room the Company moved from Mitchell Street to Albion Street , the home of the Express with newer and more modern equipment . In the early nineties , the Wire Room became the Graphical Reproduction Department ( GRD ) and colour was introduced . Five years on we were trained with Apple Computers and became the Imaging Suite . In 2000 further training was to take place and I decided that after 42.5 years with the Company I would take early retirement .
To the astonishment of the management I had never throughout my working life had any time off for being unwell !!
After a year , East Renfrewshire Council were advertising for school crossing patrollers (“ lollipop people ”) and 17 years later I ’ m still taking Nursery to Primary 7 across the road .
Maybe one day I ’ ll retire permanently !!!
George Trotter