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 1,000,000 metres indoor rowing
award. She is now the Marketing Director of Ultra-Fit magazine.
Simone now spends time at her house in the Limousin in France painting
the inspiring landscapes.
(2004) |