Our working histories
We are not sales people but retired computer professionals.
I worked for International Computers (ICL) in the Manchester area, from 1962 to 1996; initially as a mainframe hardware engineer and subsequently in a software support role. Whilst with ICL I developed skills in using PCs and developing bespoke software solutions using dBase. In 1983 STVR Computers was started as I began selling and repairing early home computers such as BBC Micros, Sinclair Spectrums, Commodore PETs, VIC20s and 64s (I still have spares for these!!). I ran the business from a friend's shops. His name was Noel Smith and he had a TV & Video rental business called STVR (Smith's Television & Video Rentals). To save confusion I decided to call myself STVR Computers. The business was run on a part time basis whilst I worked shifts at ICL and lasted for five years when I decided it was too much effort for too little return. I stopped retail sales from the shops and just continued with providing PC systems and support for friends and acquintances plus developing one or two bespoke software programs. In 1996 I resigned from ICL and spent a short time helping out a small firm doing Electromagnetic Compatability Testing. I continued to run STVR in Manchester whilst my wife was still working.
In May of 1998, my wife took early retirement and we set off in our old (but recently purchased) camper van, to start looking for where we would like to retire to. In between trips I still ran the business but in the summer of 2000 we found my dream house in Newcastle Emlyn near Cardigan. It had all I needed; numerous out buildings with plenty of work to be done, near an excellent Sewin (Sea Trout) & Salmon river and only 7 miles from beautiful unspoilt beaches with an extra bonus of hardly any traffic. The out buildings have all been converted into work shops and storage areas where I can fiddle to my hearts content. As my wife says, the house is hers and the out buildings are mine!
Bob Montgomery