Kiwi, an ex airforce security Alsation, I inherited custody of this dog and a tank full of tropical fish from Malcombe when I bought part of the buildings at Maggs Hill, Timsbury. There were other things, but too many to list.
A good guard dog, she was given the role of burglar alarm for the "open plan / work in progress" site at Maggs Hill. Much building material was onsite and very much open to the elements. One unfortunate wandering soul spent the night pinned against one wall of the room containing the new floor joists and T&G flooring timber. Was he relieved when Malcombe came home, he had of course relieved himself earlier, with the aid of Kiwi`s barking!
I soon learned how to mix cement properly, how not to plaster yourself with too much Browning, and what Finish, Bonding and Thistle meant. What a "Birmingham screwdriver" was, and how to use it. How to ensure that Limestone rock is "bedded" properly. It doesn`t like it when it`s on its side. (Some women are like this a s well). Not so much "Bob" as Bill the budding Builder then.
My funding, (initial payment) for part of the Maggs Hill buildings had enabled Malcombe to buy a property at Sydney Wharf by the canal in the Bathwick area of Bath. This Bath Stone three-story property with sub pavement basement was very much rundown, had no electrical supply, also needed water and sewer upgrades.
The intention was to refurbish it as 6 bed-sits for rental to students of the University of Bath which was sited just up the top of Bathwick Hill. My part in this development was to design / supply / fit the electrical supplies and night store heating system. Four consumer units, timed stair lighting, ELCBs and earth bonding protection, my first "big" board and my second insight into property development.
This property was sold to Nigel Fenwick (sales rep for a medical supplies company), he became custodian of a switched off freezer full of food from Malcombe for his troubles. (Malcombe always left something behind).
The subsequent profit from this property sale allowed Malcombe to purchase another property, this time in King Edward Road, not far from where I used to live in Oldfield Park. I was to follow him in my fast diminishing spare time to "home turf" and assist in converting this property into two flats.
By the latter part of 1969 much work had been done to the buildings at Maggs Hill. The new flat roof of Strammit (2" compressed straw boards) was on, and I was able to move some equipment in.
I needed a 20 channel to 4 groups mixer for the studio. Radiospares supplied most of the parts / controls / transistors /caps / resistors and transformers for the mixing console I was designing and building, (couldn`t afford to buy a many thousands of pounds "Neve" type mixing console desk).
I used some BBC designs for low noise amps, all made of discrete components. The integrated circuits of that era had very poor signal to noise figures, using devices such as these would have meant that my efforts at creating quality sounds would have been buried in lots of hiss. "Penny & Giles" supplied the PGF1820 faders, "Normans" of London and "Eagle International" the various control knobs.
A firm at the back of "Woolies" in Bath cut the aluminium panels for the fronts of the various modules. I then drilled and stove enamelled them cellulose green (to match the Ferrograph recorders) in a small electric oven. (If you ever try this, do not put your face anywhere near the open door when its hot, your lungs will shrivel instantly, and all incoming breath will quickly cease. I know, I was that shrivelled young (lung) man)
Much of my time was being spent transporting repair items / materials between the Bath and Timsbury shops. We employed a few local lads as labourers / helpers who included one Steve Sage, he focussed on the building work with Malcombe James, while Gordon and I carried on with the repairs at Bath T.V.
In 1969 I became the proud owner of a (newish) Rover 2000sc car, (an upgrade from the Ford Fiascos). This Steel Grey shiny beast soon impressed a few of the girls who worked in the Bath Ensleigh (Lansdown) telephone exchange. These smooth operators were introduced to me by Pat Summers, she was living with Alan Sidwell (of the Alan Keel Trio) at the time. (A group of musicians I spent a lot of nights out with).
Telecom dances were held at the Assembly Rooms in Bath. My first attendance of this annual event introduced me to my first Fiancé (failed) Linda Harding. She was a keen Ballroom dancer, me, I was more contented with ballroom in trousers. I now had a new dress suit to maintain as well.
Hilary Crammond was a 16year old mature looking girl of ample proportions, ripe for development also. I encountered her at 2.30 a.m. in my bedroom, (my bedroom being what was to become the upstairs lounge) she, en-route to the bathroom (corner of adjacent room with pan & cistern poised above an unfinished floor).
She had been caught short, on route home to Chippenham. (Seemed a funny short cut to me). I was most impressed with her visual credentials, and so obviously was "footloose and fancy free" Malcombe, who by now, with the aid of all his "new-money" wealth had become a socialite in the famous Bath "Glittery Scene".
This social scene included many glamorous people, some to become household names, one beauty I remember well was Jane Seymour. Malcombe and I (shyly, yes, there was a time when I was!) used to lunch with her at Daly`s Restaurant (Walcot Street) if she was working locally. (As well a becoming an actress, she also now owns St. Catherines Court, an estate at Batheaston near the City of Bath)
Life was becoming more serious by the month, all these new lessons to be learnt, new "places to go, new people to see .. What do I care". The pressure was on then, while I was kept busy learning how to become successfully self employed.
Beware of glittery women, they are only after one thing and it`s not your Willy, it`s your Wallet!
Use Browser "Back" Button to return to previous page - to 1970
