[Margaret Pilkington]

My first job was in the accounts office at Curry's........I'm not sure how on earth I got this job because I was rubbish at maths(or sums as we called them at the time).
I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either(all those big accounts ledgers)...and left before they could give me the push.

My second job was for Slingers Butchers. I worked in the little shop on Peel street, at the edge of the then, brand new market.......I was 16 and stayed at that job for a couple of years.

Third Job.......I went to work at David Whiteheads weaving mill in Rawtenstall.......first as a battery filler.....phew, that was really hard work. Then I got my own set of 24 Northrop Automatic Jacquard looms. I wove mattress tickings for Slumberland.
I must have been fairly good because I was put in an experimental shed where they had new shuttle less looms.......weaving beautiful material, I thought it was for bridal gowns.......it was really for the inside of coffins.

This job came to an end when the place closed down and the company relocated to South Africa. Some of the workers were given the opportunity to move out to SA...but I had just got married and couldn't really do that so I got a job at Enfield Manufacturing Co.
What is now, Ossy Mills....this was working on Lancashire looms. Not to my taste at all.
Boring twills and dobbies, though they did make table cloths for large hotels and even(I was told) Buckingham Palace.
I left there because I was pregnant with my daughter.
I had 18 months of staying at home.
Then I worked for the Carborundum Company in Clayton........I stayed there for 4 years.
It was hard work and very dusty and dirty. I looked like a grey ghost coming home.

I decided in 1973 to train to be a Nurse. Qualified in 1977 and worked for the NHS for 25 years.......retired in 2002.

That is my work history.
I only ever claimed benefits during the power strikes.......we were laid off so many days a week and had to sign on........didn't like that at all.
Like you Blazey, I feel that it can be counter productive to make idleness a way of life, a career option. I am not averse to giving a helping hand, but there should be a time limit on how long someone remains on benefits.
It should never be more profitable to draw benefits that go out to work.