Nowadays, of course, everybody and their cat listens to audiobooks – but this was certainly not the case then – or for many years afterwards (apps have replace all this industry and mechanisation). This all came about due to the system of free universal education the UK had then (Thatcher abolished it in 1988 if you remember). I spent a year or so at a College in the Reigate and Redhill area between 1983-1984 – before relocating to Hereford (all free at the point of us and paid for via collective taxation). In the Wallington factory I was put to work on the assembly line with the man sat to my left explaining my job. He had managed to come through the UK education system and remain totally illiterate (which is a remarkable feat considering the high calibre of State and Private (Public) education in the area – although neuro-diversity was not recognised at the time) – but to his credit he liked Bob Marley (this was interesting as he was White).
