Description:My name is Headley Taylor and I was born in Jamaica, in the Parish of Clarendon. My first job was learning carpentry. After my father died I got a job in the sugar factory where he used to work at Mony Musk, which was owned by Tate and Lyle. I worked there until I left to come to England in August 1959. I came by aeroplane and I remember that the fare was £85, which was a lot of money in those days. I came to West Bromwich to see my cousin, who owned the house he was living in. I settled in quite quickly.
My first job in England was at Patent Shaft Steel Works based in Wednesbury. I worked there as a crane operator and then as a Furnace Supervisor. I worked there from 1959 until it closed in 1980. My second job was with George Ellison in Perry Barr, where they made electrical panels. I worked there in the grinding shop as a welder until my retirement in 2000.
My 41 years of working life in England was not an easy one. I survived amongst all the odds and still here to tell the tales. When I retired, I was introduced to the WEA by a friend. I have met so many nice people and tutors and have enjoyed all my projects and continue with my courses, especially ICT.
Photograph courtesy of Veena Gogna