Limey 242 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 All the talk about how cheap stuff used to be, things you could buy for a penny, etc. got me wondering. They didn't seem cheap back then 'cause we didn't 'ave any money! When I went to work for the NCB in 1970, I made 14 quid a week. Thanks to two miners strikes, that was up to 20 quid by the time I left in 1975! I remember that 20 quid a week was 1,000/year and was considered a VERY GOOD wage! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
denshaw 2,872 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Hi Limey I also joined NCB in 1970. Did my training at Moorgreen and went on to Cotgrave Pit. 8 pounds a week as an Apprentice Electrician, that was good money then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pemberton 15 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 £4.10.0p a week - shop lad in a little engineering factory, 1963 gave it all to my mam who would give me spending money back - forget how much! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Frank 13 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Started life out as an Apprentice Gas Fitter with the Gas Board on Huntingdon St. in 1967. First wage was £5-17/6. Had to cough up the wage packet to me mam who gave me 10/- spending money back. Out of that I had to pay me bus fares each day, buy me clothes and then go out with me mates to try and find a chick! Oh, happy days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
katyjay 5,091 Posted March 7, 2007 Report Share Posted March 7, 2007 Started work 1st Jan '62, and for the first 3 months was in the training school at Raleigh. I took home 2 pounds 18 shillings and 10 pence. I got a small raise after my training [punch card operator] Until I started paying board, I gave my mum all my pay [after I'd checked it, we had to do that 'cos you couldn't complain on Monday that you were short changed the Friday before] All my working life I was paid in cash, each Friday. I think when I finished work 10 yrs after starting, I was up to about 15 quid a week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plantfit 7,616 Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 £3.1s.4d in 1968 as apprentice mechanic/fitter, gave most to me mam and had about £1.10s to last me for the week, fags, couple of pints and me clothes and bus fares, still I were happy Rog Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alisoncc 379 Posted March 8, 2007 Report Share Posted March 8, 2007 Bloody 'Ell, you lot got paid !!! When I joined the mob (air force) they told me I got meals, acommodation and the satisfaction of knowing I was helping to keep the free world from communist domination. Oh! and I got some money to buy polish and brasso, just. Alison Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted March 9, 2007 Report Share Posted March 9, 2007 I think I started at under two quid a week at 15. I recall when I came out of my time, my top line was 18 quid a week, that included shift allowance, face allowance, dirt money, grease money and water allowance for working in wet conditions, That was September 1968 at Cotgrave Colliery. I left to work for J Jones Rewinds for a 40 hour week at 18 quid a week day shifts! It was a couple of years before I made that magic 1000 pounds per year! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
coughdrop 15 Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 Hi all. I joined the Royal Navy in January 1964 and was paid the grand and mighty sum of 4 pounds eighteen and threepence a fortnight, but our food and board were supplied. Working at Beecrofts in 1963 got me a healthier 4 pounds two and six a week. Whilst in Australia with my family in 1960, I made three pounds on a weekend cadying at the Royal Sydney Golf Course. That was a magnificent sum for a twelve year old even if I did look 15. I think the adult wage was about 9 pounds then. regards Andrew Cole. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ayupmeducks 1,730 Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 Times change, don't they! When I left the UK in 1979 for Tassie, I took a big drop in pay, but I was a lot better off money wise! Things were half the price in Oz, even grog! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jane 0 Posted March 11, 2007 Report Share Posted March 11, 2007 Started working life at the local Gas Board in the Computerised Accounts Centre - in other words the Gas Bills! Did my own Dad's twice and he blamed me for the bill :-( Think I was on £6-50 per week then but I managed fine :-) I hsd never seen a computer before but they were old-fashioned compared to now! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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