Volume Nine - Pre-Victorian to the present day - even more aspects - The Custom House and Dock Offices . . .

1930's - The Penarth Dock Custom House and Dock Offices.

It's a substantial building, isn't it? A little bit of renovation now and it would be a beautiful building. The Cardiff Bay Development said they were going to preserve it. They temporarily fenced it off. they bought Penarth Dock off the garage owner. But it is a fine old building. (You know that is where I started on the dock, there was the Dock Master, The Dock Manager, the Chief Cashier and his assistant, and the typists on the ground floor. There were a few more rooms there. On the first floor, about three in the Staff Office and three in the Accounts Office.)

Now the Great Western - not immediately they took over [sometime after c.1922] - had an economy commission come over. I can see them now, and there was no point someone saying to you or I, "What does your work consist of, so-&-so?" They sat by you, one would sit by you throughout the day to see how you filled your day. they called that Works Study; used to be known as Progress Chasers, and Time and Motion Experts.

The dock Manager was retired, Docks Cashier was sent to Newport, his assistant sent to Barry, staff clerks retired, the other members of staff - I don't know what happened to the typists - they went. They sent Sir Leslie Ford, who eventually became Chief Dock Manager for the whole of South Wales, and then the Port of London Authority, and I can remember him coming here, when I was in the dock Office as "Assistant-in Charge, Penarth Docks". And I can see him walking down with a bowler hat, white riding mac, cane, and always brown boots. But he was a sharp fellow, and he rose to the top.'

Harry's recollections of working life at Penarth Dock and the obvious pride he had for his work make the article and entire book an excellent read. [326]