We had proof readers and the interesting thing was in those days, postwar in a little newspaper, I used to be sent down by the chief reporter, downstairs to go and get a proof of the stories that had been typeset.

What was interesting was that I would speak to the overseer and ask for a proof and he would say- I'm too busy if you want a proof you pull it yourself. Now that was interesting. I didn't realise how interesting. I would just ink the type up and put it on the proofing press put a sheet of paper over the top and proof it.

I came to realise within a very short time of moving to other papers that the union hold on members of production would have brought the business to a halt if I had dared touch a proofing press. But there in Finchley the only was to get a proof was to do it myself.