Chatterbox 0811 - Rotary Club of Belper

Meeting – 11th July
The Life and Times of Alan Widdowson
(with supporting act by his damned computer)
by Alan Widdowson
Before I report on Alan’s talk I must remind myself of a promise I made to myself
years ago and that is to spend my life as a Computer Illiterate. During Alan’s
very interesting talk he had to wrestle with his computer which was supposed to
provide his notes but much to the amazement of himself and my fellow Rotarians
insisted in having a mind of its own throughout the evening.
He started by introducing his wife Hilary who was known to all but what was
not generally known was that Hilary and Alan first met through a lonely hearts club.
It has been a most successful and fruitful marriage resulting in them becoming
grandparents.
Alan was born at Chaddesden and he generally enjoyed school and quoted
many pranks which usually ended with his backside feeling the cane. He graduated
to grammar school and his first job was with the Inland Revenue which lasted four
weeks! In 1959 he joined Bemrose, the famous printing works and was an estimator
during which he met and became a firm friend of the famous mountaineer, David
Green.
Alan left Bemrose for a brief spell to work at a plastic welding company where
he sustained severe burns to his hand which prompted a return to Bemrose, in time
to assist in a visit to the factoy by Margaret Thatcher and her husband. During this
time, he became secretary to the company social club which involved him in
arranging various events, visits and activities.
He became a sales representative and extensively travelled the country and he
also became involved when the company expanded by acquiring a packaging
business which catered for many of the top famous brand names. While the
regular fight with his computer was taking place, in order to fill the time he
mentioned how proud he was to obtain the autograph of his idol, Beckman.
After 41 years with Bemrose he was made
redundant and officially retired from business in 2008.
Alan’s talk concluded with a successful ending when he
switched off that damned computer after which he was
thanked for an entertaining talk flavoured with humour
and a computer that has taught him to stay clear of
modern technology!
6
Peter Davies