It is a lunchtime glass of wine, she tells Obiter, that keeps 73-year-old legal secretary Angela Rogers going through the afternoon. She has been with Shropshire firm Wace Morgan since January 1960 – that’s 49 years! – and has seen many changes. ‘I have worked through the invention of the electric typewriter, audio typing, photocopier, fax machine, computer, internet, digital dictation and, even, shorthand!’

Angela Darch, meanwhile, started working at London firm Hughes-Narborough & Thomas in May 1963, which is 45 years, nine months ago – and counting.

Finally, although Obiter is confident there will be another batch of long-serving legal secretaries next week, we come to a hardy duo at West Midlands firm Hall Pratt & Pritchard. Elaine Maiden joined the firm in 1961 aged 17 and, apart from a break to have children, has been there ever since. She is now a sexagenarian grandmother. Janet Ward has been working at the firm since she left school aged 16 in 1967. She still plays badminton regularly, which – like a glass of wine – gives her the strength to keep going through the long afternoon.