Hamish Porter MBE - CSSC Prize Draw Winner
CSSC - We were delighted to tell you that you had won one of the major prizes in CSSC's Spring Draw. As you are fast approaching your 80th birthday, our readers may be interested in reading about your civil service career.
Hamish - I was born in Glasgow and I joined the Inland Revenue there in 1947 as an Assistant Collector of Taxes having been successful in the first post war open Civil Service competition. I spent my whole career in the Collection branch of the Inland Revenue. To get on and advance up the ladder in my time you had to be prepared to move around the country and this certainly happened to me. I was in Glasgow for 14 years, including a spell in the Royal Navy doing National Service. From Glasgow I was transferred to Carlisle and after four years to Kettering.
I then was sent to the Inland Revenue Training Centre at Stanmore before my next move to Grantham as Collector in Charge. Following a further promotion I was posted on relief to Bristol and from there back to Glasgow. Although it was nice to be back home, as my family were all in the Midlands I was glad to get the opportunity to transfer to Coventry, and as this was near enough to our family, we made our final move.
I stayed in the Coventry office until I was compulsorily retired at age 60. I did go back and work part time but the HR department finally caught up with and persuaded me to retire properly once and for all.
CSSC - Can you tell us when and why you joined the CSSC?
Hamish - It's so long ago that I really don't remember but I think it was when I was based in Kettering in the 1960s. I was a keen badminton and bowls player and it was a good way to meet colleagues outside of the office. When I was transferred to Coventry I shared digs with other Revenue staff and we would often go out and play badminton together.
CSSC - You have now been retired for nearly 20 years. Why did you decide to keep your CSSC membership going?
Hamish - The honest answer is so that I could continue to use the caravan that the Coventry Association owns. I have a great fondness for the Lake District and every year, if my name is drawn, I get to the chance to enjoy a holiday there at a fantastic rate.
CSSC - you have an MBE. Can you tell us more about that?
Hamish - I was awarded it in 1990 for my services to the Board of Inland Revenue. The Queen and Prince Phillip were attending the Commonwealth Games in New Zealand at the time and so Prince Charles did the presentation.
CSSC - You are lucky to be a fit and lively 80 year old. What activities do you still enjoy?
Hamish - I am a very keen walker and I am member of the Rugby Scottish Society where I regularly do Scottish country dancing. I am still interested in yachting and I think that it's really good that CSSC has its own sailing section. I also enjoy travelling.
CSSC - That brings us on to the last question as I believe that you were about to head off to Cyprus when you heard that you'd won. Can you recall your thoughts on receiving the phone call?
Hamish - I was gobsmacked as I never win anything. The timing was brilliant as well as I was just going off on holiday. Thank you so much and if you see any of my old colleagues from the Coventry office please give them my regards.
CSSC - Thank you for sparing the time to talk to us and we will certainly pass on your wishes to ex colleagues who are still very much involved with CSSC in the Midlands.
Any Coventry members who are interested in one of the 3 holiday homes that are owned should visit http://www.cssc.co.uk/RegionalSites/MidlandsSite/Coventry/CSSCHolidayHomes.aspx
The caravan in Llandwrog, Wales has vacancies that non - Coventry area members can apply for.
