Member and WI speaker Mickey Fitzpatrick entertained her fellow members with a talk entitled ‘Nine to Five No Thank you!’
With charisma and buoyance Mickey spoke of her life from the time of being born during hail and thunder in the Derbyshire countryside to her present life in Westbury.
Having had an idyllic childhood Mickey left school and trained to be a dispenser of medicine which resulted in many a mistakes, especially to ‘Poor Mr Jenkins’ a regular customer.
Following this, a time as a switchboard operator followed, although along with her office duties it was necessary to cook a kipper at the same time as answering calls. Having gained this experience she moved on to the Telephone exchange that had the advantage of being next door to the GPO which was full of young boys willing to act as a date when needed.
Other jobs followed such as working in a shoe shop whose regular customers included Ena Sharples accompanied by Minnie and also Harry Worth. After she met Bob, a band musician, they travelled the country home and abroad accompanied later by their three children. This found Mickey as a Blue Coat at Pontins holiday camp, shampooing sheep in Suffolk and assisting the Mayor of Portsmouth to host parties.
Eventually it was time to settle and the family moved to Somerset along with a dog, cat, goldfish, rabbits and a pet rook called Squawky to run a hostelry. Eventually Bob became a consultant to the licensing trade and Mickey went to work in Marks and Spencer as a store trainer and promoter (7-2) where she stayed for 13 years. Now she finds herself as a WI speaker entertaining and delighting members with gusto wherever she goes.
Next month’s meeting on 11th September is a talk on Sevington Victorian School by Dinah Starkey and Celia Jennings. Do come and join us.
Liz Lee
