The day I took over as manager of the Odeon in Camden, an inner city suburb of London, was a big step as I would be in charge of a cinema, responsible for the presentation, screenings, staff and all that goes into entertaining the public. The place had begun life in the 1920s as theContinue reading “You’ve got to have style if you’re one of the London (Odeon) boys”
Author Archives: Robin
Creating a construction to baffle even the most cunning of cats
When we first realised hedgehogs used our garden as part of their highway, and decided to put out food and water for them, the weather was still unpredictable. It didn’t matter about their water, rain would only fill up the bowl. The food, on the other hand, needed to be kept dry as the dryContinue reading “Creating a construction to baffle even the most cunning of cats”
Thanks for all the information – now it’s time for me to say goodbye
By the time Christmas 1975 came round I began to think it was time to put in for a manager’s role at one the Rank Organisation’s Odeon cinemas. I believed Tony, my manager at Romford, had taught me all he could teach me. This included matters one did not automatically connect with cinemas, such asContinue reading “Thanks for all the information – now it’s time for me to say goodbye”
Happy workers are good workers, as long as you’re not a soft touch
I was much happier when my induction course in Birmingham was ended and I could get back to proper work at the three-screen Odeon cinema in Romford, where I had recently become an assistant career manager. It is not that I have anything against Birmingham. In fact when we lived in Redditch we went toContinue reading “Happy workers are good workers, as long as you’re not a soft touch”
Quick as a flash – in fact it takes a lot longer to do simple tasks nowadays
Strange thing about people, they think they will go on forever, doing the things they do and still doing the things they did when they were younger. When I was younger I could drink till morning at an all night party; I could get behind the wheel of any car from a 1955 Moggie MinorContinue reading “Quick as a flash – in fact it takes a lot longer to do simple tasks nowadays”
A child’s imagination is a wonderful gift, never take it away from them
Our daughter brought our grandchildren over to see us today, they’re here for a few weeks from the UAE and this week they will be visiting friends but from the weekend will be staying near us so we can spend time together. My granddaughter, Harriet, wanted to have a look around the garden so IContinue reading “A child’s imagination is a wonderful gift, never take it away from them”
I smell a rat – well actually I don’t because I chose the final solution
I recently asked you, dear readers, about dealing with rats, having recently Tweeted about it. The viewings of the Tweet have increased since I last mentioned it but there has still not been one comment. Even you, dear readers, haven’t jumped in calling for the death penalty for rats or calling for mercy and expoundingContinue reading “I smell a rat – well actually I don’t because I chose the final solution”
Horace can be a bit of a bully boy but he knows when it’s time to stay still
One thing we have noticed about our friendly little hedgehog, Horace, that although he bumbles around looking for food he can be quite a little tough guy when he wants to be. It first came to light not long after we set the camera up. One night a hedgehog turned up only seconds after HoraceContinue reading “Horace can be a bit of a bully boy but he knows when it’s time to stay still”
A busy little hedgehog needs his entrances and his exits
One of the most important things you need if you want to make your garden hedgehog friendly is an easy route to get in and out. Hedgehogs can go a long way in a night, setting out at dusk and hoping to be home by dawn. They will sometimes follow a set route but willContinue reading “A busy little hedgehog needs his entrances and his exits”
Love them or hate them – surely everyone has an opinion on rats
About 10 days ago I put out a Tweet posing a question about dealing with pests – and I don’t mean Tories, trolls or other such annoyances. I get involved in various discussions on Twitter, some bring a friendly response while others bring down a tirade of self righteous anger no matter how bland theContinue reading “Love them or hate them – surely everyone has an opinion on rats”