Elaine’s Story: From Secretary School to the BBC

At the heart of our work is a deep appreciation for the people we serve. We believe that everyone has a story worth telling—and one of the greatest privileges of what we do is getting to know our clients, their histories, and the experiences that have shaped them. Elaine’s journey is a perfect example of the rich, fascinating lives we encounter every day.

Elaine left school in 1948 and enrolled in a training program at The Triangle, where she completed a secretarial course. She soon began working at an administrative office within the BBC under the guidance of Mrs Kilham-Roberts, a supervisor known for being strict but incredibly thorough. That early experience, Elaine says, laid the foundation for her future career as a secretary.

Her path at the BBC, lead her into Features Department, tucked away at the back of Broadcasting House. It was there that Elaine not only honed her professional skills but also built lasting friendships with her colleagues Joy, Shirley, and Gill. Their offices were side by side, and Elaine fondly remembers attending each of their weddings. She remained close to them throughout her life—though sadly, only one of them is still with us today.

During her years at the BBC, Elaine typed stencils for some of the most notable writers, producers, and authors of her time, including Morris Brown, Christopher Sykes, Dylan Thomas, and David Woodward. One of her proudest moments was preparing the stencil for the department’s programme Gandhi, which went on to win the prestigious Italia Prize. She also worked on Dylan Thomas’ ‘Under Milkwood’, another prize-winning production.

Elaine spent nine fulfilling years at the BBC before leaving to get married and start a family. Her story is just one example of the incredible lives we’re privileged to explore and preserve—and why we place so much value on truly understanding the people behind the stories.

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