Blandy & Blandy welcomed back a former employee on 1 September, to share his memories of life working at the firm and in post war Reading.
Now 86, Kenneth Edwards (2nd from left) joined Blandy & Blandy in 1946, working in the firm’s general office, before being offered articles in 1954 and going on to qualify as a solicitor in 1961.
After leaving Reading Blue Coat School, which he had received a scholarship to attend, Kenneth recalled his interview with the senior partner, Ted Blandy, accompanied by his father (as was the custom then).
Kenneth expressed his thanks to the firm for the opportunities it had gone on to provide, supporting him to obtain his articles and qualify and indeed to buy his first home, and later discovering that the firm had paid into a pension on his behalf which he continues to receive.
Kenneth also recounted his first connection with Blandy & Blandy. In 1943 he was in the cinema on Friar Street when several bombs were dropped, one of which destroyed some of the firm’s One Friar Street offices. The senior partner, William Blandy, had survived by sheltering under a desk.
Around 40 of the firm’s staff, joined by retired former chairmen Richard Griffiths and Dalby Landen, attended the talk at Reading Town Hall, with many also taking the opportunity to ask further questions afterwards.
Kenneth described his return to the firm as “thoroughly enjoyable” and added that he was both pleased and touched by the response he had received from those present.
Having grown up in Reading and met his wife here, Kenneth also enjoyed the opportunity to revisit some of his favourite locations in the town, describing Friar Street, Forbury Gardens and the old Shire Hall (now the Forbury Hotel) as they were then.
Brenda Long said: “We were delighted to welcome Kenneth back to the firm and to hear his amusing stories of his experiences here and we are grateful to him for giving up his time. It was lovely to hear how well the firm had looked after and taken an interest in him as that ‘family feel’ is still very much a part of the culture of the firm today. The staff found his talk fascinating – particularly many of the younger ones. I have seen many changes in my 28 years at the firm, but the world was an entirely different place in 1946.”
For further information or legal advice, please contact law@blandy.co.uk or call 0118 951 6800.
