Your first job in Coventry

That story has made me laugh and cheered me up. Had a bad day, one of our dogs had to be put down today at the age of 12. Downside of having pets.

Ha ha Matash that was a really funny story. I think R Kid now has some competition

They are indeed.

Confessions of a telephone engineer. There are many that couldn't possibly be posted on this forum, or any other reputable one either, but I will come clean on this one. It was the norm in my days to regularly meet with colleagues at break times at the local telephone exchange at whatever area one was working in, to eat lunch, maybe play cards, discuss the days events, the usual stuff that most other people do in their workplace. The same individuals met daily and we all got on, that was until a rather unpopular colleague started to take his lunch break with us, the once jovial mess room became let's say, rather 'atmospheric'. To counteract this, I decided to carry out a few maintenance checks on this persons van whilst he continued to make himself even more unpopular in the exchange. I rearranged the vehicles spark plug leads around and watched as the said vehicle coughed and spluttered as the driver made his way to the garage at Mason Road Telephone Engineering Centre. Following at a safe distance I quickly swapped the leads back before the garage mechanic had time to investigate the problem and needless to say a quick test drive revealed no problem. This 'practise' continued on an almost daily basis (believe it or not) for almost 3 weeks, leaving both the driver and a team of garage mechanics baffled and finally it was decided to replace the engine!!!!

My first paid job was the Leofric Hotel in Broadgate in October 1980 as a chef.........and I hated every day I went to work. Back then, new commis chefs were regularly beaten by the nasty Sous Chef (who I don't think I'm allowed to name, but anyone in the catering trade in Coventry at this time will know who Im talking about) and regularly belittled by him infront of the giggling waitresses. At 18, this was certainly NOT character building. I lasted 3 months, and the day after New Years Day 1981, I was sacked for no other reason than lack of trade. I applied to the Allesley Hotel, full of dread as it was owned by the supposed tyrant, Fred Kilpatrick, BUT I needed work and it included free staff accomadtion. It was the total opposite of the Leofric, a great kitchen brigade, and Mr K (as he was called) was hard, but fair.....a lovely man and much respected by the staff (I think he liked the negative stories about him). I stayed there for 2 fantastic and rewarding years. They say you look back with fondness at bygone memories of your early jobs.........I look back at the Leofric with utter contempt for the place, and was happy when this historic building was converted into a Travel Lodge......or whatever cheap place it is now

My first job was in Johnsons pet shop, I needed a fill in job until the job I really wanted came up(window dresser) I hated every second of the job.. I had to clean out the oversexed monkey that lived in a big cage by the window,he was a nightmare. I would get in on cold winter mornings and have to clean out the kittens, puppies, monkey and a fruit bat.. Then weigh up the bags of pet food that they sold, seeds and such.. Mr Johnson also owns a shop a few door down that sold cleaning products and household stuff, sometimes I got to work in there, at least it was warm.. I only had to stay there for 10mth, as a window dressers job came up at John Barry's in Trinity st.. so i said good bye to the monkey for good

I have just spent nearly an hour re reading over all your posts on this topic and I must say it was an hour well spent. Then I came to the last post from happyhippie in the pet shop. I am afraid I let my imagination run away with me because I could see an oversexed monkey in there. It must have been the perfume you were wearing at the time. (Something from a Lucile Ball movie comes to mind)

Whereabouts was Johnson's please HappyHippie?

I think that pet shop was down New Buildings, just up from the Exchange & Mart.

Ah Matash, I was thinking maybe the pet shop in Paynes Lane, but I think you have got it right. I had completely forgotten about the one by Exchange and Mart. By the way love your dancing, Gangnam style, Santa and reindeers.

Thanks Mayjan, I think every one in Cov went to see that monkey, lol.

Yes you are right, it was just down from exchange and mart..and that dam monkey haunts me to this day.. though it was such a shame to keep something like that in a cage, now a days it wouldn't be allowed, poor thing never got to leave the cage.

Moderator's note : I have created a new topic on this particular subject entitled "Loss of a beloved pet" and transferred all of the relevant replies

The Johnson Pet Shop was situated just inside the New buildings , as you turn in from Trinity Street the Pet shop was on the right. I remember it with fond memories as that was the first time I saw Santa, I have a picture on this site showing me sitting on his knee.( not allowed now, sad state of affairs ) last time I was in New Building the Pet shop was turned into a Betting Shop. Colin.

Where, I can't find it Colin