When I joined the firm of Knapp, Drewett & Sons in 1943 aged 14 little did I know that I would spend more than 20 very happy years in their employ. For 17 years I worked in the Advertisement Department of the Surrey Comet.

In those days the company was run on very strict and formal lines. Members of staff behaved in a very respectful manner towards senior management and this applied especially to the heads of departments towards the then Managing Director a Mr G H Drewett. He was a very formidable old gentleman who had his finger on the pulse of every department and any error of misdemeanour received his full attention.

During the war years there were very few employees between the ages of 18 and 40 as they had all been called up for war service. Happily though, after 1946 most of them returned safely to reclaim their jobs and the atmosphere in the company became much more relaxed.

Of course newsprint continued to be rationed for several more years and the number of pages of the Saturday edition were restricted. Naturally news items took precedence over advertising. Friday's were days of great tension between the editorial and advertising sections when we were informed that half of our weeks work was to be decimated. Eventually the Comet was printed in two sections ‘A' and ‘B' editions although we had many irate customers ringing on Saturdays complaining that they couldn't find their advertisement in the copy they had bought.

On a brighter note - once a year the whole firm closed down for an outing to the sea-side and the sight of four or five coaches parked outside the front shop caused quite a stir. A wonderful day was had by all especially us juniors. (see photo below)

This day was known as Waysgoose and it was a long held tradition in the printing industry.

Over the years I witnessed so many changes both in production methods and management style and feel very privileged to have been part of it all, and to have worked alongside so many different and wonderful people. For me they really were ‘the good ol' days at the Comet' and I treasure everyone of them.

Sheila Wells (nee Smith)
Kingston Road
Ewell