Mervyn Blank career talk

Wed, Oct 12th 2022 at 1:50 pm - 2:00 pm

Almost a professional footballer, Mervyn was forced to follow his father's advice and get a proper job.

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Rotarian Mervyn Blank spoke amusingly about his life’s journey. He said that his career started in 1966, mentioning some of the highlights of that year, such as John Lennon claiming that the Beatles were ‘more popular than Jesus’. At 16 years of age Mervyn wanted to be a professional footballer, while his father wanted him to be an engineer. In 1966 a new footballer could count on an opening salary of just £4.50 per week or £155 in today’s money, while an apprentice engineer could expect £480 in today’s money. Mervyn spelled out the buying power of each salary, coming to the conclusion that £4.50, for instance, would pay for 16 haircuts (with ‘something for the weekend’). As goal keeper, Mervyn lost his front teeth by colliding with the-then square posts of the goal, and also damaged his knee joints – football was over! Engineering it was to be! Mervyn told several humorous tales of pranks played on unwitting apprentice engineers. He admitted to playing pranks on his apprentices when he became boss later. Health and safety, as understood today, was non-existent in the ‘60s. Each engineer was expected to be responsible for his own safety, using common sense and experience. Mervyn spoke of the exceptional influence of Group Captain Douglas Bader, who said, “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t do this or that… Make up your mind…But never, never let them persuade you that things are too difficult or impossible.” In order to improve his marketing skills, Mervyn briefly interrupted his engineering profession, by joining Mecca Leisure. Once returned, he earned a university degree in engineering, rising to the top of his profession. He now enjoys a well-earned retirement.

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