I left school at 15 on Friday afternoon.

At 9 o'clock on saturday morning I was in the foremans office at the East Moors Steelworks in Splott with a job reference from the headmaster.

The foreman asked me how soon could I start work. I replied "Well, I suppose the sooner I start, the sooner I'll get paid."

Then,just for a moment, I thought this answer a bit cocky and presumptious, but he threw back his head and laughed saying "You've got the right attitude son."

He put me on the sunday night shift from 9 until 6. I asked him what the regulations were. He said that as far I was concerned there were only two.

1. Do as your told.
2. Take care of yourself in this place.

I asked him if he wanted to see my headmaster's job reference, and he said "Whatever for? What's he know about steelmaking?"

And that was it. Job interview over. I worked there for sixteen years including my apprenticeship.

There was less employment pomposity during the 1950s.