In my mid twenties I worked for Lesney who manufactured the minature cars. I worked with my sister and we were picked up and taken to work on the Lesney bus! I had no experience of factory work, having worked in the City of London since the age of 16.
Clocking in and out was a new experience for me, as was having to ask to use the toilet.
I don’t remember too much about it except that once I got faster as putting the wheels on the police car, I was given a different job the next day, such as attaching the hosepipe to the fire engine. I think a bonus was paid if you reached a certain production level. Perhaps that’s why we were moved around, as soon as a task became easier.
One day I was given the job of packing building bricks for toddlers. A machine would spurt them out at great speed. The experienced lady, showing me the ropes, went for a tea break and came back to find me almost up to my neck in bricks!
It was fun and interesting for a short while, but after about 12 weeks I returned to my old job in the City. I was surprised to read that they were taken over by Mattel (of Barbie doll fame). I worked for Mattel as an accountant when they were situated at Hyde Park Corner.
Sadly, I didn’t think to buy any Matchbox cars at the time.
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