Anyone work in rackhams in the early 80s
sharon Ford
pam Atter
little Mark
andy Tomlinson
louise and pam on lifestyle
john dave off tv

happy days

muppet:gag:

I work with a lady Linda Staniforth who worked at Rackhams in the 80's. I'll ask her tomorrow if she knows you

Oh yer whats your name. I can't ask her if she worked with a muppet can i? I need to narrow it down a bit :D

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my mum worked there molly dowse on china and glass was it you who called her dolly mouse.

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I think she may have worked on shoes 1st and then china where she stayed until she retired when shop closed.I remember she was there in 86 as we bought my wedding dress there with staff discount.It was a wonderful shop.
Before that she was at Pauldens(debenhams) and as a girl Roberts Bros which was on the moor where she met my dad.

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Muppet, are your initials S B?



no they are not, sorry::P

I Started work there in 1984 until 1991 remember such names as David Gregory Menswear Buyer, Arthur Sharkey, Lee Goodison, Stuart Brailsford, lyn Cooper

I worked on various departments, Menswear, Stationery , Lighting, Life Style, Customer Services, and Hardware

Still see Julie Hancock, Brendan Hughes and Dave Grayson at the United Matches.

Good Times.

I didn't work at Rackhams but I believe I knew Eric from the Loading Bay. If I remember rightly he lived at Deepcar and if it is the same one I'm thinking of I used to catch the bus home with him and we used to walk up the hill together as he lived on a road near to where I lived. I often used to talk to him outside the loading area. I can't remember whether he had two or three young children at that time. I used to work in an office straight opposite the loading area.

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Hello Top Cat, i remember all those names brings back plenty of memories,I also worked on menswear,furniture,carpets,lifestyle.
a few more names from the memory bank
roy smith
shiela precious - menswear

brian tissington -furniture

big barry booth -carpets

ken deakin -carpets

Hello Top Cat, i remember all those names brings back plenty of memories,I also worked on menswear,furniture,carpets,lifestyle.
a few more names from the memory bank
roy smith
shiela precious - menswear

brian tissington -furniture

big barry booth -carpets

ken deakin -carpets

Did you work the "Lift" Muppet :hihi:

Did you work the "Lift" Muppet :hihi:

Dont you mean elevator:P no but i had plenty of ups and downs:o

Do any of you remember the Pinfold Street Warehouse?

Jim Grant was in charge, along with Colin Fitch, other names i remember working there were John Swift, Martin Little, Steve Wilson , Dennis??? who were Van drivers, Someone called Dick who used to man the phone in reception, John Llewellyn and Damien Moore.

Also going back to the store it's self "Trog" Evans who was on the bed department, Margaret Ward and who can forget Ambrose Maufe General Manager and Kath Allen

Do any of you remember the Pinfold Street Warehouse?

Jim Grant was in charge, along with Colin Fitch, other names i remember working there were John Swift, Martin Little, Steve Wilson , Dennis??? who were Van drivers, Someone called Dick who used to man the phone in reception, John Llewellyn and Damien Moore.

Also going back to the store it's self "Trog" Evans who was on the bed department, Margaret Ward and who can forget Ambrose Maufe General Manager and Kath Allen

I went to school with a Margaret Ward, she came from a big catholic family, lots of brothers & sisters, she got married and had a family quite young.

Hi Smileyjiver. If the Eric you are thinking of was a small, dark haired guy then yes it was the same Eric. I worked alongside him on the loading bay at Rackhams for eight years. He did indeed live at Deepcar and as I remember he had four young sons who are all probably grown up now. I notice your location is the Isle of Wight, strangely enough Eric was born there, in Ventnor I think. I left Rackhams in 1986 and can't remember the last time I saw him, although I did learn that he had sadly died about ten years ago.

Hi Korn47 - yes that's the one! Well what a small world. Sorry to hear though that he has died. That's a great shame as I always remember him as a really nice person. Very friendly chap.

He often used to give me samples of perfume (I don't think he was supposed to tho) that I think would have otherwise been thrown away.

I had no idea that Eric originated from the Isle of Wight. I actually live on West Wight - other side of the Island to Ventnor.

I don't suppose you will remember me at all - but I often used to come and stand at the loading bay talking to Eric.

I'd like to say that I was in ladies underwear but it wouldn't be true. :hihi:

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Hi Korn47 Just sent you a PM.

Anyone remember the window display team from early eighties. Keith Hallowes, Bohdan Karmasan, Pat Elwis, Lyn Beckett, Su Pearson , Beverley Oddy, Christine Jackson, Chris Bramhall, Ian Knowles, David Webster.

Whatabout John the Porter and Bill on Staff Entrance!

Anyone remember the window display team from early eighties. Keith Hallowes, Bohdan Karmasan, Pat Elwis, Lyn Beckett, Su Pearson , Beverley Oddy, Christine Jackson, Chris Bramhall, Ian Knowles, David Webster.

Whatabout John the Porter and Bill on Staff Entrance!
Hi Ian 1761, you've just mentioned my name in your post but I'm trying to think who you are! Send me a PM if you like.

I knew a lady whom sold flowers by the entrance door Eileen, I think her name was.

I Started work there in 1984 until 1991 remember such names as David Gregory Menswear Buyer, Arthur Sharkey, Lee Goodison, Stuart Brailsford, lyn Cooper

I worked on various departments, Menswear, Stationery , Lighting, Life Style, Customer Services, and Hardware

Still see Julie Hancock, Brendan Hughes and Dave Grayson at the United Matches.

Good Times.

Hi I worked on mens tailoring and luggage for 2 years with George ,Arthur Sharkey,Pat, Dave Grayson.Was assistant manager on there,had some good times.Be nice to get in touch with some of them if anyone can help.Did Julie Handcock work on menswear.

Was it Rackhams that had a grand piano and someone playing it ,think it was near the escalator.

Hi there donna,
Cant remember seeing a piano in there when i was there,maybe it was in when it was walshes it was suppose to have been very posh in those days.

Was it Rackhams that had a grand piano and someone playing it ,think it was near the escalator.
I worked at Rackhams between 1978 and 1986 and don't remember anyone playing a grand piano at all, although I did hear about an orchestra supposedly playing in the entrance to the restaurant which must have been way before my time there.

I'm not saying you're wrong about the piano Donna btw, it's just that I don't remember it.

Hi I am Beverley Oddy , I worked on window display team.I would love to hear from Pat Elwis or any other member of the team.
Remember Mrs 4 sets on mens wear !!!!!

I seem to remember somewhere (shop) having a piano player somewhere,perhaps near the restaurant or the entrance.I can't remember where it was though may have been Rackhams/Walsh's ?????? Got me thinking now :huh:

I used to know Denise off the Biba make up counter.

Hi Bev ( Boddy), I worked with you on display team between '79 and '84. How are you? Have lost contact with everyone since then. Me ,you and Christine always had breaks together. Ian ( Ian1761 )

Hi Ian lovely to hear from you, do you remember when we nicked the box of mini eggs !!!!
Hi Bev ( Boddy), I worked with you on display team between '79 and '84. How are you? Have lost contact with everyone since then. Me ,you and Christine always had breaks together. Ian ( Ian1761 )

Hi everyone great seeing all theses familiar names I worked on menswear with David George and who can forget Arthur! such good times I'm Sue Platts.There was a reunion last year at the monk pub in town which was a really good night organised by Julie Hancock. must do it again.Good Christmas nights out!!!

A friend of mine not with us now, worked as a silver service Waitress in the resturant her name was Peggy Platt, it was Walsh's then, some time in the seventies l think it was.

who remembers mrs shipley on the fur coats dept.and jennifer law on shoes

Hi everyone, I started at Walsh's (Grace bros!) in 1974 til 78 on the tv dept with Chris Kroukamp (big s african guy) Phil O'Neill, Dennis Brown, Tony Mills etc. Still in touch with Dave Gregory from menswear. Remember winning the inter - store 'Its a knockout' competition at the city hall beating Cole bros in the final!. Anyone know what happened to Jane Tipper from ladies fashions?

Does anyone remember a waitress in the tea/coffee shop around 1984/85, her name was Linda Cater, and I think she used to live on the Wybourn.

Rackhams in the 80’s.

Hello Mike-s,

I too remember Chris Kroukamp (SPL), from 1971 time. He was a big bloke from South Africa, and was a salesman at Wigfall’s shop on Middlewood Road at the Hills’Boro Shopping centre. I was a driver’s mate on the shop van, and his shop was one of seven we delivered and collected from each working day. Hope this is the same person!!??

Zakes.

Rackhams in the 80’s.

Hello Mike-s,

I too remember Chris Kroukamp (SPL), from 1971 time. He was a big bloke from South Africa, and was a salesman at Wigfall’s shop on Middlewood Road at the Hills’Boro Shopping centre. I was a driver’s mate on the shop van, and his shop was one of seven we delivered and collected from each working day. Hope this is the same person!!??

Zakes.
Hi mate, Yep thats him, Did'nt realise he had worked at wiggys. Went on a bender with him one night after work to the rainbow (big mistake!) shared a taxi home and he asked the driver to stop at a pub at Heeley while he 'nipped in to get some cash', he came back and counted over six grand out in the back of the taxi! a lot of cash in the 70s. Never did find out where it came from.

Do any of you remember the Pinfold Street Warehouse?

Jim Grant was in charge, along with Colin Fitch, other names i remember working there were John Swift, Martin Little, Steve Wilson , Dennis??? who were Van drivers, Someone called Dick who used to man the phone in reception, John Llewellyn and Damien Moore.

Also going back to the store it's self "Trog" Evans who was on the bed department, Margaret Ward and who can forget Ambrose Maufe General Manager and Kath Allen

i know damien moore and brian moore worked there too

i know damien moore and brian moore worked there too

I remember a really nice old guy at the Pinfold st warehouse called Rowland. I was sent over there to do a stocktake one hot summer (radio & tv stock) It was Wimbledon time so I set up a portable tv behind a tall pile of boxes and it took me DAYS to count the stock!. Remember Mr Owen the assistant manager who used to spend all day walking up and down the aisles in his pin stripes giving us the evil eye?!.

Was it Rackhams that had a grand piano and someone playing it ,think it was near the escalator.

A bit late but it was when it was Walsh's, it was a baby grand situated near to the small escalator at the High Street entrance, the pianist wore a white tuxedo.

I remember a really nice old guy at the Pinfold st warehouse called Rowland. I was sent over there to do a stocktake one hot summer (radio & tv stock) It was Wimbledon time so I set up a portable tv behind a tall pile of boxes and it took me DAYS to count the stock!. Remember Mr Owen the assistant manager who used to spend all day walking up and down the aisles in his pin stripes giving us the evil eye?!.

i didnt work there myself it was my dad and uncle that worked there.

I think she may have worked on shoes 1st and then china where she stayed until she retired when shop closed.I remember she was there in 86 as we bought my wedding dress there with staff discount.It was a wonderful shop.
Before that she was at Pauldens(debenhams) and as a girl Roberts Bros which was on the moor where she met my dad.

hHI michelagle What years did she work at Robert Bros my sister worked there a few years but l think it would be too early 1930 ties Arfer Mo

I think she may have worked on shoes 1st and then china where she stayed until she retired when shop closed.I remember she was there in 86 as we bought my wedding dress there with staff discount.It was a wonderful shop.
Before that she was at Pauldens(debenhams) and as a girl Roberts Bros which was on the moor where she met my dad.

arfer mo replied

hi korn47 - yes that's the one! Well what a small world. Sorry to hear though that he has died. That's a great shame as i always remember him as a really nice person. Very friendly chap.

He often used to give me samples of perfume (i don't think he was supposed to tho) that i think would have otherwise been thrown away.

I had no idea that eric originated from the isle of wight. I actually live on west wight - other side of the island to ventnor.

I don't suppose you will remember me at all - but i often used to come and stand at the loading bay talking to eric.

sheffielder to a cork head. Not good.

Hi everyone, I started at Walsh's (Grace bros!) in 1974 til 78 on the tv dept with Chris Kroukamp (big s african guy) Phil O'Neill, Dennis Brown, Tony Mills etc. Still in touch with Dave Gregory from menswear. Remember winning the inter - store 'Its a knockout' competition at the city hall beating Cole bros in the final!. Anyone know what happened to Jane Tipper from ladies fashions?

I remember Dave, and a short, very thin guy who went over to T J Hughes, who was the big guy who was manager of the menswear department?

I remember Dave, and a short, very thin guy who went over to T J Hughes, who was the big guy who was manager of the menswear department?

Hi, sorry can't remember his name but will ask Dave next time we speak. Do remember a John Cottam on menswear and also a young thin guy (Malcolm?) who lived at Bradway. A few more names that come to mind are Pete Matthews and Marcus Hogan (both tv dept) Brian Tissington (furniture) who went on to manage the Mulberry tavern next door, Malcolm Tweed & John Bremner (tv) Arthur Oxley (service dept) Joan Rands. I'm sure more will spring to mind eventually!.

Hi, sorry can't remember his name but will ask Dave next time we speak. Do remember a John Cottam on menswear and also a young thin guy (Malcolm?) who lived at Bradway. A few more names that come to mind are Pete Matthews and Marcus Hogan (both tv dept) Brian Tissington (furniture) who went on to manage the Mulberry tavern next door, Malcolm Tweed & John Bremner (tv) Arthur Oxley (service dept) Joan Rands. I'm sure more will spring to mind eventually!.

I remember David Bullivant on housewares.

Any more memories of Walsh's/Rackhams anyone?

Hi, sorry can't remember his name but will ask Dave next time we speak. Do remember a John Cottam on menswear and also a young thin guy (Malcolm?) who lived at Bradway. A few more names that come to mind are Pete Matthews and Marcus Hogan (both tv dept) Brian Tissington (furniture) who went on to manage the Mulberry tavern next door, Malcolm Tweed & John Bremner (tv) Arthur Oxley (service dept) Joan Rands. I'm sure more will spring to mind eventually!.

When i started on menswear about 1978, john Cottam had just been done for having his hands in the till.

Here goes

Sheila Precious
John llewellyn
Pam Brakes
Sharon Ashworth
Little Mark
Stuart and Keiron furniture.
Big Barry carpets
Cyril Goddard
Roy Smith
David and Tyrone
i will try and think of some more.


Cheers muppet.

When i started on menswear about 1978, john Cottam had just been done for having his hands in the till.

That must have been just after I left, Staggered!, he always seemed such a gentleman!. Do remember quite a few of the people on your next post.

Anyone work in rackhams in the early 80s
sharon Ford
pam Atter
little Mark
andy Tomlinson
louise and pam on lifestyle
john dave off tv

happy days

muppet:gag:


Hi ... I sure do.. I came from doing work experience and started in 86 on men's soon heading up to linens where I stopped for 3 years. I loved it.. I often think back to those days and believe it gave me the grounding and direction to move forward..

I remember
Jenny carledge
Eileen davett
Jean Parkinson's
Janet French from alexon
Beryl Haywood
Christine Reilly
Christine
Helen snowball (graduate)
Gill Davies - god rest her sole
Maxine sumner
Sandra in security
Betty
Brian
David in the lodge

Anne beeden
Cath alen
John bottrill
Mr morfe rackhams mgr
Anne in personnel
Zoe .. Who was in training

Julie Hancock who's at tjs so I think.

Many more if I could put my mind to it

Such happy memories. How things change..

That's a name I'd forgotten, Mr Maufe the manager. I'm sure he had a gorgeous daughter who I had a dance with at one of the staff christmas parties just before I left in the late 70s. Does anyone remember Denis Brown the radio & tv manager in the mid 70s, think he left to be a preacher or something similar!.

That's a name I'd forgotten, Mr Maufe the manager. I'm sure he had a gorgeous daughter who I had a dance with at one of the staff christmas parties just before I left in the late 70s. Does anyone remember Denis Brown the radio & tv manager in the mid 70s, think he left to be a preacher or something similar!.

I worked at Walsh's / Rackhams from 1975 to 1980/81 -ish
I remember Denis Brown- he was our section manager for the ground floor and radio/TV. Decent bloke, if a bit serious!
Other names I remeber (as well as many of those mentioned above):
Radio and TV team:
John (Jay de Jay) Bremner
Terry How
Mike Spencer
Geoff (Hitachi)
John Llewellyn
Joan Rands (favourite saying - "if yer face were yer fortune you'd owe yer ar*e threepence")
Pru. Let's see if I can think of some more:
John Flatley,
Mr Owen and Miss Allen (did they really have a "thing" going on?)
Carl Maufe
Cathy Parrish
Heather Rastrick
Philip Dawson
Phyllis Grayson
Mrs (Cicely) Fletcher
Tony scaife (RIP bless him)
Doug Hartley
Barbara Tissington
Vivienne Booth
Ambrose Maufe (no comment)
I do remember Beverly Oddy from display
Sharon from cosmetics and Imogen Gordon that used to go with us to Richmond College
Steve Pashley
I could go on!
Great great times.
O'h, and how could I forget, my old boss, the one and only John Costello (legend)

I worked at Walsh's / Rackhams from 1975 to 1980/81 -ish
I remember Denis Brown- he was our section manager for the ground floor and radio/TV. Decent bloke, if a bit serious!
Other names I remeber (as well as many of those mentioned above):
Radio and TV team:
John (Jay de Jay) Bremner
Terry How
Mike Spencer
Geoff (Hitachi)
John Llewellyn
Joan Rands (favourite saying - "if yer face were yer fortune you'd owe yer ar*e threepence")
Pru. Let's see if I can think of some more:
John Flatley,
Mr Owen and Miss Allen (did they really have a "thing" going on?)
Carl Maufe
Cathy Parrish
Heather Rastrick
Philip Dawson
Phyllis Grayson
Mrs (Cicely) Fletcher
Tony scaife (RIP bless him)
Doug Hartley
Barbara Tissington
Vivienne Booth
Ambrose Maufe (no comment)
I do remember Beverly Oddy from display
Sharon from cosmetics and Imogen Gordon that used to go with us to Richmond College
Steve Pashley
I could go on!
Great great times.
O'h, and how could I forget, my old boss, the one and only John Costello (legend)

Wow! some raves from the grave there! I remember almost everyone of them, go on then give us a clue who you are - you mentioned me in your list - Mike Spencer from the TV dept, Happy days!

Wow! some raves from the grave there! I remember almost everyone of them, go on then give us a clue who you are - you mentioned me in your list - Mike Spencer from the TV dept, Happy days!

Very happy days indeed. What a great place it was to work, only you only realise those things afterwards.
Yes I remember you. You were in a band and drove a Cortina 1600E which I was very envious of! A cool dude and no mistake!
Geoff Mallory - that was the Hitachi guy's name.
I was trying to remember the name of the TV engineer service boss who John Bremner used to have a row with every other week!
Do you remember "shaaart wave " radios, particularly in demand by our Asian brethren?
And John Llewellyn's nickname for some reason was "GT" as in John GT Llewellyn!

Very happy days indeed. What a great place it was to work, only you only realise those things afterwards.
Yes I remember you. You were in a band and drove a Cortina 1600E which I was very envious of! A cool dude and no mistake!
Geoff Mallory - that was the Hitachi guy's name.
I was trying to remember the name of the TV engineer service boss who John Bremner used to have a row with every other week!
Do you remember "shaaart wave " radios, particularly in demand by our Asian brethren?
And John Llewellyn's nickname for some reason was "GT" as in John GT Llewellyn!

You're right about only realising later in life how good those days were, I really think a reunion would be good. Geoff Mallory, he went to manage a tv dept in Doncaster and I supplied him in my job as a sales rep in those days, don't know what happened to him after that. He was a talented artist and I still have a record cover he 'modified' for me!. Another name that I remember is Steve Charles, he bought my first ever car from me (Hillman Imp!) to enable me to buy the 1600E you mentioned. One person I would love to hear from is Jane Tipper, remember her? she worked on ladieswear and was a good friend. Anyway your ID still gives nothing away!, any clues??

You're right about only realising later in life how good those days were, I really think a reunion would be good. Geoff Mallory, he went to manage a tv dept in Doncaster and I supplied him in my job as a sales rep in those days, don't know what happened to him after that. He was a talented artist and I still have a record cover he 'modified' for me!. Another name that I remember is Steve Charles, he bought my first ever car from me (Hillman Imp!) to enable me to buy the 1600E you mentioned. One person I would love to hear from is Jane Tipper, remember her? she worked on ladieswear and was a good friend. Anyway your ID still gives nothing away!, any clues??

Steve Charles! I remember him. I remember him going out with a really good looking girl and wondering "how did he manage that?" !
Well I better tell you my ID. My name is Andrew Graham and I was assistant manager on Radio TV, but only for about a year or so, so you probably won't rememeber. After that i was manager of Soft furnishings, and then Linens, which was next door to radio and TV at the time I left. In fact I didn't leave House of Fraser completely, I transferred to the head office in Birmingham, then Manchester, and ended up in Victoria Street London as a buyer. In total I was with HOF for exactly 20 years until I decided it was time I moved on, and moved back up north, but to near Manchester, which is where we are still now.

Steve Charles! I remember him. I remember him going out with a really good looking girl and wondering "how did he manage that?" !
Well I better tell you my ID. My name is Andrew Graham and I was assistant manager on Radio TV, but only for about a year or so, so you probably won't rememeber. After that i was manager of Soft furnishings, and then Linens, which was next door to radio and TV at the time I left. In fact I didn't leave House of Fraser completely, I transferred to the head office in Birmingham, then Manchester, and ended up in Victoria Street London as a buyer. In total I was with HOF for exactly 20 years until I decided it was time I moved on, and moved back up north, but to near Manchester, which is where we are still now.

The "Sharon from cosmetics" I now remember was Sharon Kerry. We used to have some good laughs at Richmond College. Smashing girl.I also remember her being mortified for getting absolutely smashed at a party held in the store and being off work for a few days as a result. I seem to remember us as a group getting a collective b*llocking from Mrs Buckle (remmeber her?) the staff manager afterwards!
Then there was the fire wardens party held courtesy of the fire brigade. There was a guy whose name I can't remember, but he went, and got quite drunk, as well did, but he decided to drive home. The next dayhe didn't arrive until the afternoon and he was coverered in scratches and marks. Aparently he got stopped by the police and flung in the back of a police dog van - with the dog!