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Video recording of interview of Howard Bell. Started work at Sainsbury's aged 13 at Bedford branch in August 1936, and then to Colchester branch in December 1936. Initially worked as the manager's runner. Then trained at Blackfriars training school in 1937, briefly worked at Seven Sisters Road in Holloway and then returned to Colchester. Topics discussed include training, selling of food products, qualities required of Sainsbury's staff at branches, employment of women in Sainsbury's branches, the approach of the Second World War and training of new staff in expectation of calling up of staff, discipline and rules for staff, Bell's role in training new staff.

Summary of content:
Started working for Sainsbury's age 13 at Blackfriars. Then went to Bedford in August 1936. December 1936 moved to Colchester branch. Training. First job was as Manager's runner. Attended Blackfriars school in 1937. Holloway Road. Training. Bacon cutting. Provision training. Description of room layout. Chinese, Dutch and Polish eggs. Egg candling. Display of Dutch Edam cheese and other imported cheeses. Date codes on cooked meat. Boor's head or brawn. Butter Department. Description of wiring butter and moving barrels of butter around the Colchester branch. Competitiors Home and Colonial. Special qualities as a Sainsbury's employee. Initial interview at Blackfriars with Staff Manager. 1930s Sainsbury's recruitment drive via school essay writing competition. Recalls travelling to Stamford House age 13 with mother for interview. Terms and Conditions outlined in publication called A Career for Your Boys. Height restriction on counter boys. So offered job as Manager's runner. had to buy 12 aprons when started. Started at Bedford Branch. Lived in the dormitory No 8 The Embankment. Qualities expected of staff. Sainsbury's motto was "Head up, shoulders back". Inspection of uniform. Discipline. Employment of women and training in provisions started in 1939. Developed training programme for staff. Rules of hostel for under 21s. Training of women from Co-operative.

One additional (non-digitized) video tape is also included in this file but this may be a duplicate.