At that time Jack Barrington was the boss and everyone was called by their surnames.  Jim Barrington returned from the RAF and John Hooper from the Army and then there were three Solicitors in the firm.

Office Junior duties included Reception, Call Book, Telephone, Post and Stencil-cut copying on an "old rotating drum thing" which Hazel remembers was very inky and smudgy!  The Office Junior was always last to leave the office because of doing the Post.  Each letter needed to be copied into a letter book - also smudgy!

Somewhere along the line Hazel remembers learning shorthand and typing via evening classes at Bridgwater Art and Technical College in Blake Street.  She admits she was never very good at it and that usually her mind was on more fun activities!

Jim Barrington was one of the first to use a tape recorder although Hazel saw this mostly as a gimmick.

When the Burnham on Sea office opened in 1947 Hazel was called in to show the new girl the ropes. 

Many trips were made to Bristol and Cardiff to see pantomimes, or go shopping or for high tea.   Also there were trips to watch rugby matches and dinner dances in clubs and pubs with coaches organised.   In the mid 1940s a Centenary dinner was held at The Clarence Hotel.

Although Hazel left the firm to have children in 1956 Jim Barrington asked her to return in 1961 on a part-time basis to help with the Somerset River Board Conveyancing.  After her husband died Hazel returned full-time in 1972. 

Hazel reduced her hours when she reached 60, had two or three leaving parties(!) and one memorable "This is Your Life".  Three months later she was asked back!  She finally escaped in 2005 aged 75.

11-12 King Square, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3AH      Tel: 01278 422858      Email: gpresley@barrington-scholfield.com