Eve Farrant (nee Lisher), born in 1917, shares here some memories of her social days in the 1950's when she and husband, Bernard, managed to enjoy some time without their young children, Colin and Lynda.

'We enjoyed our social life, going to dances organised by the Building Federation at The Metropole Hotel in Brighton.

Occasionally we went to dinner with Raymond and Lillian Jordan, evenings we enjoyed very much. Raymond was director of Clapham Brick and Tile Company and Lillian, an Egyptian Jew who Raymond had
met during the war. They had two children about the same age as our own. We always enjoyed the company of Raymond and Lillian and alternately they would come to us, an occasion for me to put on a special meal after the children had gone to bed.

With Bernard meeting Ted Harkin, who had started an ironcraft business, and being anxious to do work for Edwards Bros., we would be invited to parties at his house and also meet them at dances.


The Press Ball held at the Pier Pavilion, Worthing, was a must. We often found that some of the dancers drank too much and, on one occasion, when we went back to Ted's house after the dance, the men had to go out to help Dr Crouch, who was in difficulty with his car. Builders Federation dances were also enjoyed during the winter of 1958/59.

Ted Harkin eventually asked Bernard to go with him into the ironcraft business, which he did. At the same time he joined with Ted and Ron Hickman in the plastic ceiling business.'

It sounds like Bernard had a very successful year that year.