Has A Grip On Her Job -- Far cry from taking dictation to handling snakes, but former shorthand typist Gilliam Ashby competently undertakes a job that would make many girls shudder. Here she shows the correct way to hold a python at the Chester Zoo, where she is one of the three attractive girl keepers. Gillian, 22, joined the zoo a year ago. She is a native of Newcastle-under-Lyme, near take-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Far Cry from taking dictation is former shorthand typist Gillian Ashby's newest occupation. October 28, 1954. (Photo by Reuterphoto).