Delivering the Gloucester Citizen
Sadly the Gloucester Citizen is no more, but like many young lads in my teens I had a paper round delivering it, together with the Gloucester Journal and the Pink Un. My round was owned by Old Charlie who had a stand for many years on Gloucester Cross. In those days traffic still went through the centre, and we had a policeman helping the traffic
We all had to start at the Citizen building, where the presses were in the basement. They made an incredible noise, and when the papers came up to our level, the phrase “Hot off the Press” became instantly clear. In the cold weather we all put our hands into the paper bags to benefit from the lovely warmth generated there.
It was a bit of a free for all as you had to shout your orders to the men folding and sorting them, and the numbers were all in dozens. You could hear cries of “Five dozen and 3″, 6 dozen and 5” from us delivery boys.
My round started at London road, down to Denmark road and took about an hour and a half on most days. Once a week we would have to collect the money so that was a long day. Many customers left their cash inside the door and very often there was a sweet left out for me as well. My wages were 17/6d a week. This was very generous at the time and I still remember my first Christmas fondly as I collected over £5.00 in tips. Old Charlie has sadly passed away. He was a real character and I aam certain many people will remember him.
Did you do a Citizen round ? I would love to hear from you.
The Citizen is no more but the new owners publish at https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/
