Jean Arthur

I was engaged all the time I was at the Poly and when my fiancé came to the Degree show he ‘dumped’ me when he left.  Bitter? Me?  Yes, I was!  3 years when I could have been free and enjoying myself.

I did various jobs while trying to find a graphics role, working in a local pub in Orpington, then a job applying ‘Go Faster’ Stripes and trims to new and used cars around the South East.  One car salesman said, ‘you’re no Bo Derick but you’ve got nice eyebrows’ and in another used car outlet the salesman thought it was an odd trade for a girl and said he could put me into movies.’ I hasten to add that I did not take him up on the offer!!!!!

I applied for Graphics jobs and got as far as being shortlisted.  Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.  My sister worked for FRISK and she heard that one of the companies she supplied was looking for a manager for their new shop.  That shop was GELIOT WHITMAN!  So I ended up working for Geliots in Forest Hill selling graphic materials and their famous Depth Scale. Some years later I married the son, Simon Geliot.   Geliots bought a London supplier Wheatsheaf and took over their property in Baker Street and changed the company name to Geliot Whitman Wheatsheaf, (Rolls of the tongue? And I had to say that every time I answered the phone!).  I designed the carrier bags!  At last!

 In my early 30s I took up Judo and achieved my Black belt.  I also went back to horse riding, joining a riding group that performed battle re-enactment shows all over the UK and Europe.  I was known as Bob.  I was also the first female rider to do ‘Skill at Arms’ which entails jumping whilst using a sword, firing pistols, lance and tent pegging.

Marriage didn’t work out and after 12 years we divorced.  I have since married again to Hamish MacLeod who was the Horse Master of the riding team.  He was also involved with TV documentaries which we were often riding in.  I’ve done doubles for some male actors that couldn’t ride, having cushions shoved up inside their costumes to make me look bigger! He set up his own company History in the Making Ltd where I am now the head of Costume.  I’ve produced loads of Graphic images for our business as set dress and props that have been seen on tv.  Knew it would come in handy eventually!  We haven’t retired yet, still working on film sets and supplying to theatres and arena displays for the likes of Bovington Tank Museum.