http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/ A blog by amberlynn14154 en http://amberlynn14154.chudadi.com/2008/08/28/maids-head-memories.html Rowena Glaysher Deputy Head Receptionist (1979–1984), Connie Burridge Head Housekeeper (1974–1985), Jane Foster Deputy Head Housekeeper (1974–1984), Barbara Smith Head Receptionist (1978–1984), Alison Minns Receptionist (1980–1983), Anne Wooden Receptionist (1977–1984) as well as Sue Syder Receptionist (1976–1984).   We became a RAC four star hotel when we worked on reception. It was the whole hotel team that got us there. Mr Cooke was the manager during our time. He used to do regular room inspections checking on behalf of dust. For some reason there was bread shortage in the late 70s as well as Mr Cooke bundled the housekeeping team into his Rolls Royce as well as took us to a supermarket with instructions to each buy six loaves. Manchester City football Club stayed here on the night that Hovells burned down. There were lots of famous guests including Sacha Distel (‘My hands were shaking when I took him a cup of tea!”), Sir John Mills, John Thaw, Roald Dahl as well as Lord Denning. Anyone involved in an Anglia TV production stayed with us including actors appearing in ‘Tales of the Unexpected’. We also looked at the end of the contestants in ‘Sale of the Century’. David Niven stayed in 1975 as well as gave Jane Foster his autograph: “For Jane, Many thanks as well as good luck! David Niven September 1975.” Roy Hudd spotted Jane Foster when she was pregnant: “You look like a deckchair darling!” She was also lucky sufficient to have a whisky with comedian Dave Allen in his bedroom. Eamonn Andrews stayed here whilst preparing on behalf of a ‘This is Your Life’ programme on Robert carrier. He used the fire escape to leave the hotel to manufacture sure nobody spotted him Mr Cooke didn’t desire pop groups to stay, just in case they wrecked the hotel. Iron Maiden tried to book in but were turned down, but on behalf of some reason the Boom Town Rats slipped through the net. Some groups managed to slip through because of the fact that they booked through booking agents. John Rosenberg, producer of ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ at all times left a £1 tip. On one occasion he also left a pair of tights behind in his bedroom. He was politely told that he had left the item behind as well as was delighted to get them back as he wore the tights to retain out the cold during filming. Roy Marsden as well as cast used to stay when filming the PD James stories. The part of the hotel used as the restaurant used to be The Courtyard Bar. It was the ‘in place’ to be seen as well as drink in the late 70s as well as early 80s as well as used to get packed at the weekend. There was a real log fire in the centre of the room, which was lovely in winter. There were no hospitality trays in bedrooms so chambermaids had to deliver early morning cups of tea as well as coffee. There was at all times an evening chambermaid who turned down the beds. The night porter used to clean any shoes left outside bedrooms. We used to confirm bookings using the telex machine – no email in those days! There was a manual switchboard. We at all times had to dial the number on behalf of the guest – there was no direct dial. The hotel took part in the Lord Mayor’s Procession as well as the Norwich raft races   We think that there was a ghost on the first floor – the corridor was at all times cold!                             Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:20:33 -0400 amberlynn14154