IT BROUGHT back a lot of memories when I saw the old photograph of the Plummer Roddis shop in The Argus (February 22).

I started work there as the junior in the ladies' lingerie department on December 29, 1959.

They were the days when the older ladies' underwear was vastly different to what they wear today.

They wore "passion killers", which went down to their knees. The largest sizes were bigger than I was at that time.

There were two qualities available, one for the ordinary ladies and then a more expensive quality for those who could afford them.

Back in those days all customers were given personal service, and I was allowed to serve if all the senior assistants

were occupied. This was usually on Saturdays or when there was a sale.

I remember that television screens were set up so that the staff could watch the wedding of Princess Margaret to Anthony Armstrong-Jones.

The management decided to open a men's department so I was transferred there as the junior.

There was me and the manager Mr Masters.

He would arrive each morning and wander round for a few minutes and then disappear down to the stock room to read his paper.

He only came up to relieve me for my breaks.

He had a "spy" on haberdashery who watched every move I made to make sure that I never stopped working.

We had the old-fashioned counters which were all glass. It is a wonder I never became addicted to methylated spirits, as I used it to clean all the glass every day.

I also had to relieve the lift lady when she had her lunch breaks, which I hated, as I don’t like lifts. Also, it was manually operated and I had great difficulty in getting it level with the floor.

It was all an entirely different way of life to how shop life is now.

I was only there for six months, as I was offered an office job, which is what I wanted to do. I was assistant managing clerk at the age of 16, which was the start of me spending my working life as a book-keeper/cashier and running offices.

I have 45 years of memories, most were good, but a few were not so good. I do have the makings for my autobiography.

Christine Luffman

Rotherfield Crescent

Hollingbury

Brighton