20-year-long career as a launching pad for a retirement business venture in proof-reading.

It is something that Mrs. Jean Hannant began part-time three years ago, after retiring from Archie Brown & Sons, where she had served chairman Mr. Warren Brown Sr. for almost 20 years.

Proof Positive is the name of the business, and it will provide a proof-reading service for those publishing literature.

"I personally have been doing a bit of this for three years since retiring,'' Mrs. Hannant said.

She began proof-reading performance programmes on a voluntary basis for BMDS, The Gilbert & Sullivan Society and the Bermuda Festival. Someone quietly observed to her that she should be paid for the work.

It wasn't long before she was offering her services Island-wide, printing and distributing business cards and advising companies of her services through the mail.

Business took off after a newspaper article highlighted the part-time enterprise. Three years later, she has a monthly client, studiously peruses quarterly magazines published by The Royal Gazette , proofs local books, material published by the Bermudian Magazine and information sheets from the Department of Tourism.

"I've been operating entirely on my own, like out of my own apartment on a fairly casual basis,'' she said, "and probably would have gone on doing so, except that there are times when I get so much work that I wish I had somebody I could farm some of it out to.'' She will receive some help from her friend and colleague, Mr. Brian Callaghan, who is her partner in the venture, although he still holds down a full-time job.

"He is a very good proof-reader and he is looking for something to do, once he retires. We got together for lunch one day and decided to form a partnership. It will be just the two of us.

"For the first little while, I will be doing most of the work because Brian is still working, but obviously if I need help, I will ask for it. Or if I'm sick or going away on holiday, I'll turn the work over to him.'' The partnership was registered three weeks ago and Mrs. Madeline Callaghan (Kitson & Co. vice president of finance, and Brian's wife) offered to provide bookkeeping services.

There are elements of the plan that could help the idea succeed. For one thing, there is no real organised competition, or at least none listed in the telephone directory specifically for the purpose of proof-reading.

"I think that there are some companies here that have their own in-house proof-readers,'' Mrs. Hannant observed, "but no independent operations.

"I have really been surprised at the demand for this service.'' PROOF POSITIVE -- Mrs. Jean Hannant and Mr. Brian Callaghan will provide confidential proof-reading services through a unique partnership.