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From: Architexturez-IN <admin-in@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:23:33 +0530
MENTION the name John Poulson, and the image that springs to mind is of
the 1970s sleaze that smeared the reputation of the North-East across
the nation.
But for one of Hexham’s most respected citizens, the shamed architect
was just unlucky.
And Don Jowett knows better than most, for he spent the early years of
his glittering career working for Poulson.
He said: “The construction business in the 1960s was a very different
animal to what it is now.
“It was common practice throughout the industry to distribute some very
generous bottles of whisky and other gifts to clients – everybody did it.
“It was only after John Poulson had gone bankrupt, and people started
looking into his activities in a lot more detail, that the things came
to light which eventually resulted in him being sent to jail.
“It was only after the Poulson affair that the question of gifts became
significantly frowned upon.”
cont'd....
http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/people/viewarticle.aspx?id=811014