This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/nov/10/fenella-fielding-fluttered-her-eyelashes-at-me-but-i-stayed-cool
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Fenella Fielding fluttered her eyelashes at me, but I stayed cool | Fenella Fielding fluttered her eyelashes at me, but I stayed cool |
(6 months later) | |
In the early 1980s, while working in Acton Supplementary Office, I found the name Fielding on my list of claimants for that day. I called the name over the PA system and on entering my interviewing cubicle, there she was, unmistakable in full makeup and with fluttering eyelashes… it was Fenella Fielding (‘I thought I was finished, darling!’ G2, 9 November)! “Oh darling, I do hope you can help me,” she said. I managed to retain my civil servant gravitas and, I hope, dealt with her claim in the same sympathetic manner I tried to adopt with all claimants. Reading Simon Hattenstone’s interview, I was touched by her comment about waiting at home for her benefit to arrive. I do hope it wasn’t too long – there was no six-week waiting period in those days. I am glad that life became better for Fenella; sadly this is not the case for those who claim universal benefit today.Bill GeddesWorthing, West Sussex | In the early 1980s, while working in Acton Supplementary Office, I found the name Fielding on my list of claimants for that day. I called the name over the PA system and on entering my interviewing cubicle, there she was, unmistakable in full makeup and with fluttering eyelashes… it was Fenella Fielding (‘I thought I was finished, darling!’ G2, 9 November)! “Oh darling, I do hope you can help me,” she said. I managed to retain my civil servant gravitas and, I hope, dealt with her claim in the same sympathetic manner I tried to adopt with all claimants. Reading Simon Hattenstone’s interview, I was touched by her comment about waiting at home for her benefit to arrive. I do hope it wasn’t too long – there was no six-week waiting period in those days. I am glad that life became better for Fenella; sadly this is not the case for those who claim universal benefit today.Bill GeddesWorthing, West Sussex |
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
Fenella Fielding | |
Benefits | Benefits |
letters | letters |
Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
Share via Email | Share via Email |
Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
Reuse this content | Reuse this content |