In the 1950s, I worked for the Philips Group of companies based at Century House. One of my jobs was to check the accuracy of royalty and copyright payments being made by a new subsidiary called Philips Records.

Stars from this record label entertained us at our Christmas dinner and dance. Our cabaret included popular recording stars of the period – vocalist Elisabeth Welch sang for us, Winifred Atwell and Mrs Mills played pianos, and further entertainment was provided by that cheeky chappy Max Miller.

The children of the office staff were also treated to a party, held in the canteen or in a hall hired for the occasion.

My role at these affairs was to be a clown. The children seemed to enjoy my antics and it was great fun dressing up for the occasion with costumes hired from theatrical costumiers.

One Christmas we varied things a bit by hiring a monkey costume so that a chimp’s tea party could be staged. £0>

Jack Sammons