Slough has been famous for factories and industry during most of the twentieth century, so it is not surprising that lots of people found work there.

'I worked at Ford Motor Company for 33 years in all. …. I worked there [in Croydon] for 14 years, then I came to Fords at Langley in 1966, where I stayed for 17 years until I retired in 1983. When I transferred, Fords helped me to find somewhere to live… I worked on the production assembly fields, inspection and in the electronic welding department… if you made a good suggestion it sometimes won an award of cash or a car.'
Michael Bulyga

My memories of Slough began in about 1953 when I worked as a Fireman at the Slough Railway Sheds, having had a transfer as fireman from Tondu sheds in South Wales. I was lodged in a Railway hostel situated in a large house just by Upton Park. They were very happy days for me. I was teamed with a Driver by the name of Jack Mathews. I loved working with him.
Yorrie Richards

Like today, there was always the opportunity to improve your situation….

'My Father wanted me to work at Horlicks when I left school. They paid 12/6d per week (63p) but Mars offered me a job for 17/6d (88p) a week, a considerable increase, so I went there instead.'
Nancy Harris

Though, factories in Slough were not all hard work….

'My husband worked at Horlicks for nearly 40 years. Horlicks had their own Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, which I was allowed to join. I played Nanki-Poo in the 1940 production of The Mikado.'
Thora Trevorrow

Working in Slough wasn't restricted to the Trading Estate….

'From 1962-1981 I worked at Woolworths in Slough High Street. I started as a counter hand, I was made up to supervisor and then to Staff Manageress. I was pleased with the progress I made… we used to have parties for the children of the employees. I remember the Garden Manager dressing up as the green giant.'
Cissie Gosling

'I worked at Slough Railway Station from 1936-1941 as a ticket collector. One lady occasionally gave me a bunch of flowers and an Officer from the services sometimes gave me chocolate… Mr. White, who was the Station Master, promoted me to checking tickets on the trains from Reading to Paddington - they were steam trains in those days…. I really enjoyed working there. Mr White wanted me to become a Station Announcer but my husband was old-fashioned and wanted me to stay at home, so I left.'
Thora Trevorrow

There were also some benefits if you worked for the local council, though there could also be a down side...

'In 1955 we moved to Slough. I worked for Bucks County Council as a driver. We lived in a tied cottage outside Satchwells on the Farnham Road..... Once I was called out in the middle of the night to sweep up two broken milk bottles'
Ted Iles

Thanks to Hilary Blanchard who allowed us to take these reminiscences from her book, "Our Memories".