Project Description
Newlyn
Decorator • 1975 – 1977 (verified)
Simone Kilburn started at Troika in Newlyn in the autumn of 1975 after “O” levels at Penzance Grammar School. Being good at art, she thought the job would be an interesting fill-in before she could start training as a nurse at the West Cornwall Hospital.
When Simone joined Troika, Avril Bennet was the head decorator and Roland Bence was the manager. Other colleagues at the time were Don Fowler, Penny Broadribb and Sally Bart.
Simone remembers Les Illsley’s 40th birthday when he brought in bottles of sparking wine and they had a party upstairs in the pottery. Les was very particular about quality control, especially fingerprints in the glaze! Simone did lots of overtime, taking home as much as £23 a week!
During Simone’s stay at Troika, Sue Lowe replaced Penny Broadribb and Hilary Cox replaced Sally Bart. Others who joined during that time were Colin Carbis, Louise Jinks, Anne Jones (part time), Alison Brigden and Tina Doubleday. Sue Lowe left to have a baby and Colin Carbis left to earn more money as he was getting married.
Simone left Troika in the spring of 1977, which was earlier than planned, to help her mother get through an operation. Since then, Simone did some nursing, and has had several businesses. Later, she became a personal fitness instructor and in 2001 achieved the marathon distance and 1,000,000 metres indoor rowing awards. Until 2006 she was the marketing director for an international magazine.
Simone now spends time between Cornwall and her house in the Limousin, France and has started a new website-based business creating and selling alternative cards and gifts.
