It all began in Union House (the TMO of days gone by,
When System X and Kilostream
And Blue Payphone were still a dream.
Where "Tuffy" ruled from second floor,
And R.C.Brown with measured tread,
Inspecting joints and sign-on points,
Filled lads and men alike with dread.
That Autumn morn in '51,
Pink cheeked keen and fresh from school,
As Y in T I signed where told
That all I heard in course of duty,
(Racing tips and lover's tiffs,
General chat and items fruity),
Were protected by that weighty pact
Known as the Official Secrets Act.
Through the mists of time those first years stand
Like boulders in a rocky land,
Night school, maybe, but Catterick's a must.
For two years it's "Certa Cito - Shout or Bust".
Then back to civvies as Tech 2B,
To wiper changing and mugs of tea,
In course of which through all topics ranging,
But never a thought how our jobs may be changing.
But change they did as we all now know,
With time's grains of sand each marking their flow.
STD and P on A,CANTAT 1, Telstar's away,
ISD and AFN, Telecom Tower then PCM.
And beside this plethora of technical wealth
This career's advance was marred most by stealth.
2A to TO then transfer to Traffic, while in which ranks
Midst reproach and libation came the greatest of changes -
Privatisation.
As analogue off-load now gathers pace,
And Mercury's threat sets the speed of the race,
In the passing of years, what shines like a star?
(A temptation indeed to say EVR).
The search for an answer dispels any notion
That the solution's in Leave, Good Pay or
Promotion.
For when all's said and done
And examined and weighed
It's not terms of service that alone set the grade.
It's the working with mates who all share the load,
And the interest of bosses who lead and don't goad.
And although the weekend is a lifetime away,
And the job is so snaggy you're filled with dismay,
The solution's important - not just for the rise,
But your help to the team is a much valued prize.
Now enough is enough and this writer is through
The date has been set and departure's in view.
No tears or regrets - the job's stood the test
From those Y in T years to TN/South West.
There's no gem of wisdom or erudite phrase
To mark the end of my BT days.
Just a word in your ear while I still have a chance,
Be true to yourselves - to hell with the stance.
The foregoing was written on the occasion of my retirement on 30th March 1989. I wrote the lines to satisfy a craving to place my career with PO Telephones/British Telecom on record. The terminology used may seem a puzzle to your present day readers but signified the march of technology in, what now seems to me, those far off days. I appreciate this may be far too lengthy an entry for appearance on the Connected Earth Website. Be that as it may. I've enjoyed reliving some of the best years of my life through this exercise and applaud the concept of People's Connected Earth.
Date: 1951-1989
Sent by: Brian Frederick Phillips
Category: The network and street furniture
