jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
It was October 1962 when I came down first with the flu which then turned into a form of pneumonia. This meant that I would have to take time off from work and it would amount to at least five weeks overall. I was able to claim two weeks with full pay from the company I worked for, the rest they told me I would have to obtain through the government Sick Pay scheme into which I was paying. This meant a trip to the “pogey” office.
I found out that the nearest office to claim payments of this type was in Aston and I am thinking it was in the vicinity of Trinity Road and Witton Road. Has anyone else memories of this place? I had never drawn any social benefits prior to this illness, so I wasn’t really sure what I would find when I arrived at the social services place.
I wish I could remember exactly where the building was but I do
remember that it was quite new. As I walked up the road to the
place I saw a large queue snaking out of the building and into the
street. The queue was made up of mostly men and I joined the line
which snaked into the building and then split up into three lines leading
up to the counters. The people in the queue must have been regulars since they had brought with them musical instruments such as guitars, small African drums and mouth organs to play while they waited in the queue. While I waited we were all serenaded by some lovely Caribbean music. The Corps Commissionaire chap on duty didn’t seem to like this music and tried to shut up the musicians but he was totally unsuccessful to subdue this party like atmosphere which had broken out at this Government office!!!! The musicians simply carried on playing. It
certainly wasn't what I was expecting when I set off.
I finally arrived at the counter filled out the necessary forms and I asked the clerk if this music thing happened often. She said yes…..just about every day. As I left some of the people were dancing outside in rhythm to the music. It was quite a sight. I have never forgotten my trip to the social benefits office in Aston all those years ago.
I found out that the nearest office to claim payments of this type was in Aston and I am thinking it was in the vicinity of Trinity Road and Witton Road. Has anyone else memories of this place? I had never drawn any social benefits prior to this illness, so I wasn’t really sure what I would find when I arrived at the social services place.
I wish I could remember exactly where the building was but I do
remember that it was quite new. As I walked up the road to the
place I saw a large queue snaking out of the building and into the
street. The queue was made up of mostly men and I joined the line
which snaked into the building and then split up into three lines leading
up to the counters. The people in the queue must have been regulars since they had brought with them musical instruments such as guitars, small African drums and mouth organs to play while they waited in the queue. While I waited we were all serenaded by some lovely Caribbean music. The Corps Commissionaire chap on duty didn’t seem to like this music and tried to shut up the musicians but he was totally unsuccessful to subdue this party like atmosphere which had broken out at this Government office!!!! The musicians simply carried on playing. It
certainly wasn't what I was expecting when I set off.
I finally arrived at the counter filled out the necessary forms and I asked the clerk if this music thing happened often. She said yes…..just about every day. As I left some of the people were dancing outside in rhythm to the music. It was quite a sight. I have never forgotten my trip to the social benefits office in Aston all those years ago.
