Speaker

Sue Moll who is now well known for her church work in the Parish of Llantwit Major, spoke to  the club about her first job.  She spoke about trying to decide what job to look for in the 1970’s after leaving school.  A visit to the Houses of Parliament ignited her interest in the possibility of working there.  She was sent an application form without having any idea of the nature of the work she might be applying for.  Her application was one of a thousand received for a post in the Clerk’s Office. She attended an interview and confessed that she had little idea of what would be expected of her in that office if appointed.  Her hopes were not high but Sue was eventually one of the first two women appointed.  She said that the fact that she was from Wales and spoke Welsh may have helped.  (She was regularly  able to speak Welsh to one of the security police.)  Sue explained that because there were so few women working in the Palace of Westminster at that time facilities for them were very poor. Thanks to the intervention of Margaret Thatcher some men’s facilities were converted for female use and some extra space found for them in the clock tower.  Sue got to meet many of the personalities of the day including Harold Wilson and Edward Heath particularly when manning the Division Lobby counting votes.  She said that she had enjoyed her work very much and only left after her marriage to Rupert Moll and the impending arrival of her first daughter.  After numerous questions Sue was thanked for giving such a fascinating and amusing insight to the work of Parliament.
 
Later, Jeff Robinson who is a founder member of the club, presented President Charles Anderson with  a Certificate of Thanks from Rotary Foundation (the international Rotary charity) for being the number one club in District 1150 for its per capita contribution to the charity.