Spring, 1974. Labour have returned to power under Harold Wilson. The crisis engulfing President Richard Nixon deepens as several of his aides are indicted for their roles in the Watergate scandal. Abba enter the UK charts with ‘Waterloo’. This was the world when Ann Williams joined us at Bone & Payne.

We spoke to Ann about her fantastic achievement in reaching 50 years with Bone & Payne:

“I left school in 1973, and soon applied to Bone & Payne for a job as Ian Miller’s secretary but didn’t get it! So instead, I went to work at the Halifax in Colwyn Bay for some 9 months until, one day, Mr Miller telephoned my father and asked if I wanted a job. I jumped at the chance!

To begin with I was the office junior and Bone & Payne were at our old premises in Llewelyn Avenue. Mr Miller and Miss Breare were the Solicitors in Llandudno, with John Hardman and Hugh Jones in Colwyn Bay. Tom Hughes was a Legal Executive, Roberta was our cashier, and Christine and Cynthia were our secretaries.

In those early days I was in charge of making tea and opening the post, and I remember a record of every letter that came into the office had to be kept in a ledger. It was a world without bank transfers – to complete a house purchase the buyer’s solicitor would go and see the seller’s solicitor with a cheque.

They were happy days. Mr Miller was old fashioned and kind. He stopped us having posters of Cliff Richard, David Essex and Rod Stewart pinned up in the office because they had their tops off, but he’d let us leave work early to go to their concerts!

Cynthia left later in the 1970’s and I became Mr Miller’s secretary until he retired.

We moved to Madoc Street in 1988, and after coming back from maternity leave in the early 90’s I worked part-time there as a receptionist while starting to work for Roger. When my good friend Janet, who was Roger’s secretary, died in 2005 I started working for Roger full time.

I’ve made many friends over the years amongst my colleagues, and I’ve found Bone & Payne a happy and rewarding place to work. Long may it continue!”

Mark Sandham said “on behalf of all the current partners, and those who have been partners during Ann’s 50 years with us, I would like to congratulate Ann on her remarkable achievement and place on record our appreciation of her tireless work, dedication and good humour!

The offices will be celebrating Ann’s 50 years with a meal and drinks later this month.