David St John Thomas, of Albert Street, Nairn, Scotland, has sent us a copy of this message to staff at David & Charles, his former company:
On the eve of David & Charles 50th birthday, as founder and chairman for the first 30 years, may I say it gives me great satisfaction that the firm is still a lively force in Newton Abbot.
How times have changed. Half a century ago, some fathers forbade their daughters to work for us because books were unfamiliar and no doubt spelt pornography. One father shouted down the telephone: 'We're a decent family. How dare you employ my daughter?'
In those days, many parents were uneasy if their children broke new boundaries. Well, David & Charles and its books broke many boundaries and still do. The very notion that it was possible to run a publisher in Newton Abbot was dismissed as crazy.
The firm has had its ups and downs over the years but has always spelt colour, giving people pleasure and value. Long may you flourish.THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR ONLINE EDITION