Post by pedro42 on Feb 26, 2017 12:52:00 GMT
When I reached the grand old age of 13, I was allowed/encouraged/persuaded/forced by my parents to start a newspaper round. (13 was the earliest age by law). I put my name down on the waiting list of applicants at Foster's newsagents on the Coventry road (opposite the Coronet cinema). When eventually a vacancy came up, I had to go for a medical at the clinic in Yardley Green Road. My height and chest measurements were just at the minimal measurements required. The clinic also notified my school headmaster (Waverley), who sent for me and tried to dissuade me from working since he thought that it would interfere with my school work. I feared my Mom more than I feared the headmaster, so his cautions went unheeded!
My first newspaper round route included Coventry Road down to and including Langley Road, Henshaw Road, Cyril Road, Whitmore Road (including the two clubs), Jenkins street, Parliament Street, Glovers road and Herbert Road.
The morning round started every day at 7.0oam, including Sundays, when the bag was so heavy that I had to go back to the shop three times for refills. The evening round ("Evening Dispatch" and "Birmingham Mail") started at 4.30pm, and on Saturday nights I had to repeat the round at 6.30pm with the "Argus" and "Blue Mail". I also had to repeat the round on Sunday lunchtimes to collect the money for the deliveries.
Now we all know that Small Heathens have short arms and long pockets, so I was often told that the customer had no money & that they would pay me the following week. This sometimes resulted in Mrs Foster paying them a visit. You didn't argue with Mrs Foster, although in fairness she was always kind to me! For this work, I was paid the princely sum of 7/6d (37.5p in today's money). Mom insisted that I pay her 2/6 out of that towards my "keep". I was also expected to save up for any clothes that I wanted that were not school clothes. I managed to save up for a second hand bike on which I was freewheeling one day at 7.ooam down the pavement in Cyril Road. Unfortunately as I went around the corner, the local bobby was waiting for me. I got the biggest B****king/telling off of my life and a clip around the ear for good measure.
After about six months I found another round at the newsagents at the Coventry Road end of Muntz Street which paid 10/- per week. Can anyone remember the name of this newsagents, so that I can continue my story?
Pete
My first newspaper round route included Coventry Road down to and including Langley Road, Henshaw Road, Cyril Road, Whitmore Road (including the two clubs), Jenkins street, Parliament Street, Glovers road and Herbert Road.
The morning round started every day at 7.0oam, including Sundays, when the bag was so heavy that I had to go back to the shop three times for refills. The evening round ("Evening Dispatch" and "Birmingham Mail") started at 4.30pm, and on Saturday nights I had to repeat the round at 6.30pm with the "Argus" and "Blue Mail". I also had to repeat the round on Sunday lunchtimes to collect the money for the deliveries.
Now we all know that Small Heathens have short arms and long pockets, so I was often told that the customer had no money & that they would pay me the following week. This sometimes resulted in Mrs Foster paying them a visit. You didn't argue with Mrs Foster, although in fairness she was always kind to me! For this work, I was paid the princely sum of 7/6d (37.5p in today's money). Mom insisted that I pay her 2/6 out of that towards my "keep". I was also expected to save up for any clothes that I wanted that were not school clothes. I managed to save up for a second hand bike on which I was freewheeling one day at 7.ooam down the pavement in Cyril Road. Unfortunately as I went around the corner, the local bobby was waiting for me. I got the biggest B****king/telling off of my life and a clip around the ear for good measure.
After about six months I found another round at the newsagents at the Coventry Road end of Muntz Street which paid 10/- per week. Can anyone remember the name of this newsagents, so that I can continue my story?
Pete