The Dungeons of Queens Road

The wellingtons!

From the private collection of Ian Hudson

The Dungeons

JLP Archive Collection

The Dungeons.

JLP Archive Collection

The Dungeons fire escape.

JLP Archive Collection

Initiation for new partners to the Kitchenware department

By Peter Watts

A part of the initiation of a new member of staff in Kitchenware was to invite them to visit the stockroom (known as the Dungeons).

They would set out alone on their quest
This was to collect an item which just happened to be stored in the Dungeons below the old Trewins in Queens Road, Watford.  It was important to warn them to watch out for the boxes of rodent poison strategically placed around the walls.  Considerably unnerved they would set out alone on their quest.

Unfortunately we always omitted to warn the new recruits of the first World War stretchers put in a recess in the dungeon wall, with a pair of Wellington boots protruding from a mystery patient.  This was  carefully placed and set up complete with a label hanging from the ankle and an old OXO box placed alongside, to accommodate their very last fag.

Looking back no partner ever left after their first day in the department.  Bit of a surprise really.  Possibly a case of shaken but not stirred!

Partners are made of stern stuff - don't you agree?