Glyndebourne then..... cont'd.....

After that brief reference to my old stomping ground, Glyndebourne, in previous blog, I thought I should elucidate a little more on "then", "then" being 1968. In the letter I recently found on a rummage through memorabilia are details of accommodation in Plashett, the long buildings on the lower level of the car park which now contain the Archives. Ironically, on my visit last week, Julia and I were in what I think was originally the shower room of "the boys" end - a forbidden area for "the girls" in my day ....!! The letter contains details of the equipment allocated to each resident - e.g. 1 knife, 2 forks - 1 large, 1 small; 1 dessert spoon, 1 soup spoon, 1 tea spoon - etc., etc., any losses should be replaced... Clean laundry should be collected PUNCTUALLY from the House big kitchen on Thursday mornings, do NOT leave any washing to drip in your bedroom or the bathroom....oh, what fuuuun it was - and it REALLY was !! For a basic week of 48 hours (i.e. 42 hours worked plus 6 hours lunch breaks), you will be paid the rate of £20.00 per week. Overtime :- Time worked over the basic 42 hours up to 72 hours @ 63p per hour. Time worked over 72 hours @ 84p per hour - wooooow - we had to feed ourselves there, and pay for our domicile flats elsewhere ....."aaaah, thooose weeeere the daaaays" said with quivering Spike Milligan oooold voice .....stop laughing Sims - your fingers go aalll wwoobbally ........p.s. We will pay your 2nd. class rail fare from Victoria, London to Lewes, and return, in respect of this engagement - hmm hmmm..!! Those years spent in the bowels of Sussex were some of the happiest and sublime for me, such a Mecca of excellence, some of the finest world class singers - so many came through there, and the only management where the budget was unlimited - you simply requested the materials required to make a piece, and it was delivered pronto ! We were so spoiled in that respect - can't imagine that it happens anywhere else now - that's fairly obvious from cut price productions, isn't it......A "perk" for we minions was to be allowed to sit on the tennis court low wall and watch the patrons promenade to the theatre. One episode that still makes me laugh was when John Fraser, a fellow "Propper" came in to the workshop, speechless and belly laughing, finally rolling on the floor guffawing. When he was eventually able to blurt out the reason for his hysterics, it transpired that a very elegant Lady ( who shall be nameless..) having alighted daintily from the family helicopter, hair piled high, beeeautifully dressed in a strapless, backless gown - down to the crack (!) , gave a little skip as she passed John (sitting on the wall, sipping beer) and moved on quickly. The gentleman following the Lady, noticed something on the path and smartly picked it up, presumably thinking she had dropped her handkerchief . Much to his surprise and embarassment it was her - ? Yes - her panties !! With lightning speed, he shoved them into the yew hedge alongside and walked on majestically as though nothing had happened. The reason John was almost bursting when he arrived in the prop. room was because he knew he couldn't scream his head off in front of the rest of the arriving audience - he'd have been hung, drawn and quartered for that .....So ladies, always check your elastic or thong - !!
'bye for now and do , please k..p b.......g