My First Job

A Memory of Guildford.

Working for Thomas Wallis seen here on the left, it was a large department store selling all household goods, from tea towels to carpets and furniture. Oh how I loved my job.  In those days the shops used to shut Wednesday afternoons and I wanted to stay there I loved it so much.  My Mum, "Collie" as she was known, was in charge of the female staff there and it was a privilege to work there with her, she is 82 now.
I made so many friends there and still keep in touch with one, Linda, who has been a life long friend and became one of my bridesmaids when I married in 1967 at St Nicholas Church in Guildford. The church spire is just visible in the distance at the bottom of the hill.
Today the store is a branch of W H Smiths and I believe the centre stairs to the upper sales floor have been removed.  We had to go up and down these many times a day to fetch stock 2 more flights up or to the cash office for change for our tills.
That's over 40 years ago now but the good memories are still as strong as ever.
Chris Fellows (nee Collins)