14 replies to this topic

[HORT]

Who remembers the Old Bevelling Shop at Cowley Hill Works?
I certainly don't - I started there in 1965, but I have 4 photographs of workers doing their stuff in 1951.

One is named as Jimmy Douglas, another one is Ray Fairhurt. A third is not named and has his back to the camera. The forth is a lady carrying out arrising. She should be easily recognisable to anyone who knew her.

What is interesting is the lack of PPE.

I have tried to post these photos, but the Full Editor does not have the Browse facility.

Dave - perhaps these could go into the Pictures Section?

Edited by HORT, 04 October 2010 - 01:58 PM.

[Olliebeak]

I started there as a Junior Clerk in 1967 (Electrical Engineers Office) and found myself in lots of different sections on my travels. One of my jobs was to deliver internal post, twice a day, to various departments/offices/workshops throughout the works. The one I hated the most was the Cullet Shed - I used to come out of there with HUGE chunks of broken glass stuck in the soles of my shoes - talk about lack of H&S and protective clothing .

The scariest thing though was trying to dodge those massive engines that careered all around the factory yards - really needed to keep your wits about you when out and about .

Can you refresh my memory as to where the Bevelling Shop was, please?

[HORT]

The Bevelling Shop had long since gone when you started. I think it was in the Old Warehouese or the Top Shop.

Did you work for Gerry, the manager, who left to open the Pimbo Nursery?

[Olliebeak]

I remember the Chief Electrical Engineer as being Peter (?) Roberts at the time and his deputy was Ken Brown(e) - lived on Rainford Road almost facing the Smithy Stores.

Peter Roberts looked like he didn't mind getting his hands dirty doing the job and always wore a battered trilby - even in his own office lol. Ken Brown(e) looked more like a 'Manager' - just two different generations doing the same job, I guess.

It was Float Glass (very top secret) while I was there and I did get sent into CH3 and CH4 on occasions - though I usually got lost by the time I'd struggled to find the places. I hated all those metal staircases and elevated walkways - trying to walk along those in a 'ladylike manner' was damn near impossible .

[Alan]

I thought it was in City Road works, but I never worked there, it's just an impression I got from my dad's reminiscences

[Olliebeak]

Was very hard to tell where City Road ended and Cowley Hill began - I used to go in through City Road Lodge in a morning and work my way through all the workshops till I came out into a bit of the yard that I recognised as being relatively close to where I worked. Could have been quicker to go all the way up City Road to the top of Oldfield Street and down Albert Street to the Cowley Hill Lodge .

Lucky we only had to 'sign-in' and NOT 'clock on'.

Edited by Olliebeak, 04 October 2010 - 05:18 PM.

[familyman]

Alan, on 04 October 2010 - 05:13 PM, said:

I thought it was in City Road works, but I never worked there, it's just an impression I got from my dad's reminiscences

That's right all that type of glass finishing work(Bevelling,arrising,drilling, etching etc) was done in City Road.

[Dicky D]

So where's the photo's?

[HORT]

If youd read my first post you will see that I can't post the pictures because the bowser facility is not showing up when I try to post them.
DAVE HELP!

familyman, on 04 October 2010 - 05:26 PM, said:

That's right all that type of glass finishing work(Bevelling,arrising,drilling, etching etc) was done in City Road.

In reply to Familyman and Alan, the photos are taken from a Technical Report. It is called "Techniques of the Working of Glass"

It was undertaken by the Development Department, Plate Works, St Helens and is dated May 1951.

Now I too know that bevelling and arissing was done at City Road when I started in 1965, but why did Plate Works Development do a study like this if it wasn't at Plate Works.

City Road had their own R&D.

There are a few other photos of the machines but with no operators pictured, and a full technical description.

Edited by HORT, 04 October 2010 - 11:28 PM.

[Phyll]

Look forward to seeing the photos.

[HORT]

The first one is Jimmy Douglas



This one is Ray Fairhusrt.
Note, I am not sure if the names are correct, they are written on a paper at the front of the report.



This is radiusing the bevel



There is no name given for this lady

[Handsome Johnny]

wifes granddad worked in the bevelling shop from 1946 to 1964 when he retired.

[donkey o'tay]

Do you think that girl in the 'holes' pic knew the photographer was coming in that day?

[Dave]

Converted and cropped. Cheers Hort.

[jeb]

i think the bottom photo looks very much like a girl called betty lethbridge ?