After a very meagre education at Middle Street school in Beeston, Reginald Taylor left as soon as he could just before the age of fourteen.  He had always been interested in growing, and from his Mothers house in Carlton could see the fields and buildings of local Nurseryman Thomas Robinson. Although most of his childhood had been spent at Beeston where he was brought up by his Auntie and Grandmother, a common occurrence in the depression between the wars, he usually returned to Carlton at the weekends.  Often walking most of the eight or so miles, or if possible scrounging a lift were he could. 
Now he needed work. "I'll go to Robinson's", he told his elder sister Edna,"they could do with a bloke like me".On the Monday morning at 6.30am he arrived in the yard to find Mr Robinson loading his van for Market.
"Good morning, I'm Reg Taylor, could I have a job?". "Sorry, I'm busy I need to load, get my breakfast and get to Market. We haven't any work here my lad" came the reply.
A dejected Taylor walked away.
On Tuesday he tried at 7.00am, this time Tom Robinson was in the kitchen having his breakfast.
"Tell him I'm busy, there's no work" he shouted to his wife, the dejected boy standing at the door.
On Wednesday back to 6.30am, the same story as Monday.
Thursday a repeat performance, although by now young Reg felt Mr Robinson was warming to him - he even asked where he lived.
Friday a different approach, 6.00am. Tom was just backing the van out of the shed, young Reg was waiting.
"I'll load Mr Robinson" he said,
"You go and get your breakfast, then we will both be at the Market early".From that day a long relationship was formed; young Reg ending as manager to the Robinson shops and lasting well beyond until to the untimely death of Tom Robinson in the fifties.