You’ll be a teacher over my dead body

These frank and funny Memoirs are based largely on the time that the author spent working for the former Berkshire County Council at first Shire Hall, Reading and then Shinfield Park.

He records the outrageous antics of the late Judge Claude Duveen, who was both Chairman of Berkshire Quarter Sessions and the County Court Judge. Not far behind in the outrageous stakes was the late Edward Terrell, Recorder of Newbury. Then there were the Councillors – the Hon Elizabeth Samuel – ‘Don’t you think Cliff Rayner is rather sexy, in an earthy sort of way ’ and Steve Norris, later Minister of Transport, who was in the toilets for a crucial vote, – the most expensive pee in history – as his absence led to 1p being added to the rates to introduce nursery education . There are a host of similar anecdotes and stories.

The author is also enlightening on the various scandals he encountered during his public sector career – the way Berkshire was carved up at reorganization in 1974; the inability of the Civil Service to deal with serious problems; a corrupt Masonic court; the Colebrooke Housing Affair; the Head who had a second career writing pornography and many more.

The author has self-published his Memoirs as a hard-back, quality production. Printed by Lamport Gilbert of Reading.

Available from the author for £12-50 or £16-50 including P&P. Please contact: [email protected]
Tel 01491 671631 or 07974 314929 Clive Williams – Honeycroft House, Pangbourne Road, Upper Basildon
Berks RG8 8LP