francene--blog. Year 2013
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April 9th

4/9/2013

 
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www.the80's.com
With the death of England's former Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, announced yesterday, I recall how her leadership affected my life.

First, the facts:

  • 13 October 1925 - Born Margaret Hilda Roberts in Grantham, Lincolnshire
  • 1951 - Married businessman Denis Thatcher
  • 1959 - Becomes MP for Finchley
  • 1970 - Made minister for education
  • 1975 - Elected Conservative leader
  • 1979 - Becomes UK's first female prime minister
  • 1982 - Falklands War
  • 1983 - Elected prime minister for second time
  • 1984 - Survives Grand Hotel bombing
  • 1984-5 - Takes on unions in Miners' Strike
  • 1987 - Wins third term in Downing Street
  • 1990 - Resigns as prime minister
  • 1992 - Stands down as MP and accepts peerage
  • 2002 - Retires from public speaking
  • 8 April 2013 - Dies after suffering a stroke

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www.80's-fashion-fancy-dress.com
After a disastrous marriage, I left the land of my birth, Australia, primed to work as a nanny, since I knew how to care for children, if nothing else. In August 1987, I arrived in England with two suitcases and the clothes on my back. I'd disposed of all my possessions. No going back.

Within one week, I attended three interviews. One for the Brazilian ambassador, one with the actress, Jane Usher, and another with a couple who were planning to live in America and wanted to take their nanny with them. My status wouldn't allow that. After a final meeting, I accepted a position with an English couple with similar backgrounds to my own. She represented an Australian film company and he worked in Advertising. Their three-month-old baby was adorable and I soon settled in to their house in Camden.

During that summer, the great cyclone hit England overnight. I awoke to a roaring wind in the attic with rain dripping onto me. In a drowsy state, the situation reminded me of happy times camping with my family. I soon roused to find dire circumstances. London lost a good percentage of its great trees during the storm. Next morning, when I saw trees had collapsed onto cars and houses, I realized we'd had a lucky escape.

After that taste of what England had to offer, I stayed wary. However, with a booming economy, the world spread a feast before me. I partook of the pickings, shoulders padded, which typified a woman's attitude since the Prime Minister had showed what a woman could achieve.

After returning from a four month world trip with my employers, I met Mr. London and married a year later.

Undeterred by a lack of work training, I began to climb the ladder in the catering business. My first job was with General Portfolio, a former insurance company. I worked as a tea lady on one floor with two other women. Back then, we delivered morning and afternoon tea to all the workers. Business was booming and I enjoyed the training in the dining room where we served hot midday meals.

I progressed to a catering job at a hospital, stepped back a bit by running a canteen at a building site close to home, then went on to work at several local businesses until I secured a job at Elstree Film Studios as a buffet-hostess for the 'Hoobs', affiliated to the Muppets. The fifty employees made a children's television program. During the years of employment at the film studios, I served breakfast and lunch amongst the 'Tweenies', and many other production teams like 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' as well as serving at banquets and prestigious award nights.

However, the economy took a backward turn in the early nineties and companies cut staff back. We could say England worked in unison with worldwide trends, but Margaret Thatcher instigated a part of those trends. She might not have induced the cyclone in 1987, but she tore through every aspect of British economic life and changed it fundamentally.

There was no such thing as the consumer in Britain in the late 1970s. When she left in 1990, politicians spoke of little else. She helped force the rise of the individual at the expense of the collective.

I rose from a brow-beaten woman to a self-assured citizen with rights and a status of my own.
Did your aspect rise during that boom-time?


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The Great Gordino link
4/8/2013 10:56:43 pm

I enjoyed reading about your story.
Brave to go to another country with nothing but your wits - impressive.

Let's go to the time you mention, 1987.
I had started going out with the girl I would marry two years later.
Ihad not enjoyed my time at university, and wasn't at all sure what lay ahead for me, but felt comfortable that I could achieve things if i wanted to.

That was partly due to my upbringing and partly due to a belief that I was in a country that supported individual effort.

That was something Margaret Thatcher held firm, and I do remember both the storm of 87 and her battle with the unions, who at the time were in the thrtall of militant leaders who wanted a fight whenever they could get one.

A long time ago now, but the opinions expressed about Margaret Thatcher's death show the impact she made, whether you view it as good or bad.

Cheers,
Gordon

Francene Stanley link
4/9/2013 03:23:36 am

Thanks for sharing this. She was a strong lady, yet ended up with dimmentia. That should be a lesson to us all to take advantage of the opportunity life offers when we can.

Amy link
4/9/2013 08:09:18 am

Francene,
My but what a gutsy young lady you were, and what a fascinating life you've led. I am sorry about the death of Margaret Thatcher. I think she was a wonderful force for good in your part of the world, and ours. Thanks for sharing. Wonderful post.

Francene Stanley link
4/9/2013 07:38:32 pm

Celebreties always cause controversy. I prefer to remember the good rather than concentrate on the harm.

Cher link
4/9/2013 09:48:22 am

Hi Francene, great post, I enjoyed reading your story - Maggie, hmmn that has produced some nasties, can you believe people are actually celebrating - I understand that people have angst, but she did what she believed and she had guts!

Francene Stanley link
4/9/2013 07:40:07 pm

Nobody is perfect, but she showed strength enough to lead the nation.

Alana link
4/9/2013 10:19:43 am

You have a fascinating life story, Francene. I can't comment on the direct influence of Margaret Thatcher as I've lived all my life in the United States but she was a good friend of our President Ronald Reagan, who was in office for much of the 1980's. For good or ill, he also changed the direction of our country.

Francene Stanley link
4/9/2013 07:42:10 pm

I remember their friendship. Those were the times back then and we can't change the past.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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