WORKING IN LONDON

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27094, 18 July 1953, Page 2

WORKING IN LONDON

CHRISTCHURCH GIRL’S

EXPERIENCES

Designing sets and costumes for a children’s opera produced by Michael Head, eminent British composer, waS one of the interesting experiences Miss Jill Ledsham, of Christchurch, had during her three years’ visit to Britain.

The opera was staged on the model theatre at King Alfred Progressive School, London, said Miss Ledsham in an interview on her return to Christchurch yesterday. The work entailed painting many sets and designing 20 costumes for the young players. Miss Ledsham was a student of the School of Art, Canterbury University College, for five years before going overseas.

While in London she was employed for two and a half years by J. Lyons and Company, the largest catering organisation in the world. This firm had branches throughout Britain. “It makes 80,000 swiss rolls a day, which adds up to many miles of sponge cake,” Miss Ledsham said. “Besides making buns and cakes, for which it is renowned, the firm serves breakfasts, luncheons. dinners, and suppers throughout the day all over the country. Frozen foods are provided for the United States air liners which land in Britain.

‘Lyons try to serve food as cheaply as possible and follow a rigid plan of apportioning servings,” she said. “Ai cooked food for hot meals arrives at the shops in frozen form and is transferred to grills and steamers without any handling. The firm trains its employees and managers to work with food under the most hygienic conditions possible.”

Employees all wear uniforms, and women instructors, who teach the staff how’ to display and serve food, are now wearing overalls designed by Miss Ledsham.

All employees of Lyons go to a special school in London to learn salesmanship. the use of kitchen equipment, and other branches of the catering business. The managerial staff do a special course for six months. Londoners’ Tastes After doing this special course Miss Ledsham was appointed manager of 20 branches of the firm in London. While in this job she learned a great deal about Londoners’ tastes in cakes and buns.

A huge recreation centre of 200 acres at Sunbury. 10 miles from London, is provided for staff members. Employees are given the opportunity ot spending their holidays at a seaside resort at a considerably reduced rate. “Lyons is a grand firm to work for and treats its staff well.” Miss Ledsham added.

“The most exciting time I had in London was attending the opening night of the negro opera. ‘Porgy and Bess,’ ” she said. • After the performance she met some members of the cast, including Jose Ferrer, the American actor who played the part of Cyrano de Bergerac in the film of that name.

At Covent Garden Miss Ledsham saw many of the Sadler’s Wells ballet programmes, with the famous Margot Fonteyn and Alicia Markova dancing leading roles. Alexander Grant, of New Zealand, whom she saw in the new ballet, “Bonne Bouche,” is now considered the leading character dancer in Britain, she said.

Miss Ledsham also saw many of Britain’s leading actresses, such as Dame Edith Evans. Dame Sybil Thorndike, Gladys Cooper, and Wendy Hiller, on the London stage. She saw “Bartholomew Fair” done by the Old Vic Company and later visited the company’s workshop in Hampstead.

While in London Miss Ledsham continued her interest in art and was made a member of the Hampstead Arts’ Council, which organises outdoor exhibitions on Hampstead Heath each year. She exhibited three oil paintings at the New Zealand House exhibition and sold several other paintings privately. Mexican Art Exhibition

A Mexican art exhibition which she visited at the Tate Gallery, arranged by the Mexican Government, was the best presented display she had seen in London, Miss Ledsham said. It ran for several months and attracted tremendous crowds.

Miss Edna Graham, formerly of Christchurch, who is Miss Ledsham’s cousin, was doing well in Britain, she said. Miss Graham recently finished a season at Oxford in Sir Thomas Beecham’s production of “Ermelin” and is now rehearsing with the Glyndebourne Opera Company for a part in an opera. Miss Brigid Lenihan, a school friend of Miss Ledsham, is having much success in repertory. This promising young actress, formerly of Christchurch, toured New Zealand about two years ago. Miss Ledsham’s advice to young women intending to visit Britain is to seek a temporary job when they arrive in London. This does not restrict them from travelling. She says it is also a good idea to take a position where meals are provided, as food is expensive to buy and wages are not high.