We were always busy during the week, with commercial travelers. Weekends weren't quite as hectic. We would do the occasional afternoon tea, with the usual cucumber sandwiches and cakes. The "Boots" would serve that, we girls would just prepare it in the pantry, which was where the dining room crockery etc. was kept.

"The kitchen led off the pantry. We had a chef named John (if my memory serves me right) and a cook called Winnie. I think the chef came from Dover, because he lived in, as did the cook.

I remember some of the other staff, including Queenie Wilson who lived with her parents at Chestnut Street, Borden and with whom I was good friends.

"We used to go for long walks in the fresh air and come back ready for evening duties, like turning down beds and putting in stone water bottles. We had to make sure the stoppers were in tight - or we were in trouble !"

Another chambermaid was Frances Croucher. She lived in New Road, Milton. The head waitress was called Hetty.

Accommodation was provided for the staff , but I remember the room for the females, with four single beds down each side, was not pleasant !

I did stay there for a few nights, but I soon went home to sleep, especially after Frances let out a scream when changing to go home and a huge beetle ran up her leg. That settled things for me. We all laughed about it after, however.

The hotel manager and his wife were very pleasant and were well liked by the staff.

Market Day was a highlight of the week. Farmers who flocked into town to sell their animals behind the bull were regularly at the hotel bar, which remained open all day. It was extremely busy.

As the hotel grew in importance and popularity, the many bedrooms, including four or five in an annex over the yard, were frequently full. It made work for the laundry which was run by a woman and her daughter.

At the time the Bull was probably the best hotel in the area. There were lots of big functions and the meals were silver service.

One of the best nights of the year was the dinner for officers and their ladies. It was quite exciting for us girls seeing young officers in their dress uniforms and their ladies in lovely gowns. They would stay over and we would still be waiting for their rooms to be vacated at midday.

I remember they tipped well though !

Volunteers

We are always looking for volunteers to act as guides and to help out in the museum when it is open. Any members willing to help for a couple of hours should contact the secretary, Peter Morgan.