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Reading. Great British jobs. A. Which of the jobs on the list can you see in the pictures? . B. What do you think these people (1 – 6) do for a living?
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UNIT 3
READING
GREAT BRITISH JOBS
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Task 14.
a. Which of the jobs on the list can you see in the pictures?
b. What do you think these people (1 – 6) do for a living?
butler, chimney sweep, security guard, jeweler, shepherd
steeplejack, beefeater, town crier, milkman, stockbroker
A. SHAUN HARRISON – BUTLER
Modern butlers combine the roles of cook, cleaner, waiter, gardener, driver and household manager and they have to be polite, respectful, and well-organized. “We do everything from paying the bills to picking up the children, organizing parties and getting the washing machine repaired, ” says Shaun Harrison, 32, who works for a family in the Oxfordshire countryside. “During the week I’m in jeans and shirt, busy looking after the household and the gardens. At weekends, when the family arrives, I put on a suit and take on the role of a traditional butler. I get four weeks holiday a year and I have to take it when it suits my employer. ”
B. MARK THOMPSON – STEEPLEJACK
Mark Thompson is a self-employed and carries out a range of buildings, repair and maintenance jobs to the outside of tall structures such as church spires, monuments, industrial chimneys and high rise buildings. It takes from 2-6 years to train as a professional steeplejack and Mark has been doing it for the last 15 years. “The one thing you must have for this job is a head for heights, ” he says. “I like working outdoors, but it can be very dangerous carrying equipment and trying to keep your balance when the weather’s bad. It gets really windy up there, so you’ve got be quite fearless! ” Also make sure you take plenty of exercise so as to be strong enough. Mark travels all over the country and often works away from home for extended periods. “I often have to work a lot of unsociable hours such as weekends and evenings to get the job done, but I get a great feeling when I finish and I know that because of me beautiful buildings will continue to grace the skyline for a good few years. ”
C. PETER MOORE – TOWN CRIER
The job of Town Crier can be traced back, as far as the Battle of Hastings in 1066 when the news was passed on to the general public by individuals employed by the king. “Basically, a town Crier was a kind of talking newspaper, but today a lot of my work is ceremonial or promotional, ” says Peter. “I wear a traditional costume and carry a bell and shout the familiar call of Oyez Oyez to get people’s attention. I work for British Tourist Authority and I preside at festivals, shows and parades as well as at London’s tourist attractions. I also get to travel all over the world doing different promotions at department stores and hotels. ” Peter has been doing this job for more than 25 years and to him it is more than a job; it is a way of life. “I’m keeping a much-loved tradition alive. If you ever need to find me, just follow the sound of my booming voice. ” In his job he has met lots of celebrities including MPs and members of the Royal Family, but his proudest boast is that he has never lost his voice.
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D. RICK BOOTH – MILKMAN
Rick Booth, 36, is one of a decreasing number of milkmen, still working in Britain. He arrives at the dairy around 11. 00pm to load up his milk float and it takes him about five hours to complete his round. He leaves the milk on the doorstep and collects the empty bottles left there by the householders. By the morning, Rick’s hands are sore and blistered. “Picking up and carrying crates all night is really hard on your hands, ” he admits. It also strains his knees and back. “I’m always bending down and lifting so you have to be in good shape to do this job. ” Sore knees and backs aren’t the only pains milkmen have to suffer. Angry pets are another problem. “Some dogs get you when your back is turned, ” Rick laughs. The other problem is the unsociable hours. “When the moon is up and everybody is asleep, your body tells you it`s bedtime. But you have to go against nature and stay awake. Also, I hardly ever see any of my customers, so I do feel rather isolated. ”
E. TED COX – CHIMNEY SWEEP
“Central heating and gas fires haven’t done away with us sweeps yet, ” says Ted Cox, 64, who was just seven years old when his father, also a sweep, first put him up a chimney where he had to climb up and sweep out the soot. “In fact, ” he says, “increasing concerns over carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty electric and gas fires has increased the demand for chimney sweeps lately. Sweeps don’t just clean chimneys, you know. They also keep them free from obstructions, like cobwebs, birds, nests and leaves to ensure proper ventilation. ” Ted says to be a good sweep, you also need to be a good listener. “When I make house calls, I usually end up staying for a cup of tea and a chat, which I really enjoy. It’s no use being a sweep if you don’t like tea! ” he says laughing.
F. MILES REED – YEOMAN OF THE GUARD
“You have to be on your guard at all times for bomb scares or robbery attempts, ” says Miles Reed, 58, a Yeoman of the Guard at the Tower of London otherwise known as a “Beefeater”. “We’re not just a tourist attraction, you know! ” he adds proudly, Miles day starts around 9 o’clock in the morning when the first visitors arrive. He spends most of the day giving guided tours of the Tower of London, answering questions on its history and posing for photographs with tourists in his traditional red and gold uniform. His shift usually ends at around 5. 45 when the Tower closes to visitors. Miles doesn’t have far to go after work because all “Beefeaters” and their families have accommodations in the Tower grounds. “What I enjoy most about the job is meeting and talking to the tourists, ” admits Miles. “There must be pictures of me in photo albums all over the world. ”
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