Valerie’s great grandmother Emmeline worked as a starch packer at Colman’s when she was aged 16. Her eldest daughter Beatrix at 18 years old was working as a mustard packer at Colman’s. Valerie started work at 15 as well. I discovered that my great grandmother, Emmeline Clara Reynolds, worked for Colman’s as a starch packer […]
Colman's
Are you being served? Colman’s 1960s.
Maureen describes her working life since leaving school: kitchen maid, Lambert’s, Bullard’s brewery, Colman’s and the Crown Court. First jobs I left school early because my mother was ill and I had to take care of her and jobs were easy to find then. So when I left school I first worked at Annesley Hotel […]
Baby food and wine, Colman’s (1967-1994)
Tony worked in quality control in the Colman’s Baby Food Department, and in Moussec. He was Supervisor and Production Manager in the ready drinks department, and later moved to Eastern Counties Newspapers. Spoilt for choice I left school in 1967 after I had taken my A levels at the City of Norwich School. I had […]
Baby Foods (1971-1983)
Valerie describes her work in the baby food section at Colman’s. A family way of life I was brought up in Lakenham and went to the Lakenham schools and I had a sister and one or two other relatives who worked at Colman’s. The done thing was to put your name down at Personnel about […]
Banjos and baby foods, Colman’s (1942-1982)
Albert began work at Colman’s before joining the army during the war. He returned to work in the Baby Food department and became a supervisor. As a musician he was very involved with the Colman social club. I joined Colman’s on 4th April 1942 during the war. I was fourteen. My father was a postman […]
Colman’s Print (1947-1989)
Tony had a long career in Colman’s print shop, from 1947 until it closed in 1984. He then worked for Mansfield’s packaging and print for four years, and after retirement ran his own printing business. It was always expected when I left school that I would go to Colman’s. My family had very strong connections. […]
Colman’s to caring (1955-1997)
Jennifer left school in January 1955 and started at Colman’s when she was just 15 in the tin shop making little tins for Colman’s mustard. She worked there for five years and later at Boulton and Paul’s and in care work. I left school January in 1955 and started work at Colman’s. I was just […]
Colman’s: An Edwardian business (1969-1994)
Rod worked 22 years with Reckitt and Colman, first as a Production Manager in the soft drinks department and then as an Industrial Relations Manager, Operations Manager and finally Chief Executive in the South Africa division. He has a great interest in Colman history. I started my working life in 1959 when I went to […]
Cutting the mustard: Colman’s (1968-1992)
Tony worked for Colman’s for 24 years driving all kinds of vehicles. He is interested in Colman’s history and heritage. I left school in 1962 and was among the last pupils allowed to leave at Easter. I got a job with a tobacco warehouse which nowadays is very frowned upon but they taught me how […]
Labourer to Manager, Colman’s (1968-1990)
After doing other jobs Brian went to Colman’s and worked ‘bagging off’ in the mustard mill. He worked his way to becoming manager of Colman’s Winsor and Newton art products company. Originally I was supposed to leave school in 1947 at the age of 14, but unfortunately in April that year they changed the school […]