Vision
July/August 70 No 62 House Magazine of Rank Xerox Mitcheldean Plant
Nut only the lloweraeas which help to make our Plant so attractive have burst into bloom. 1 he five girls
who receive our many visitors and operate our busy switchboard have blossomed out in new summer
uniforms that enhance their own charming efficiency. Pictured wearing them here are (Irani the left)
Cynthia, Maureen and Joan. (Fashion note: the navy and white dresses are mostly ‘A’ line and are a
conservative two inches (50 mm) above the knee.) The reception area itself will be undergoing some
changes before long with a view to providing more space and better facilities to cope with the
ever-growing use of communication media. An adjacent room has already been converted to
accommodate the telex department and new equipment of increased capacity went into operation there
at the end of June.
Another challenge for Mitcheldean
Xerox 4000, which has been known to those of us
who are working on new products as ‘Alpha’, was
shown to the Press in the United States on
Tuesday, May 19. The next day, the news
appeared in the British Press. Many of you will
have read in the Rank Xerox Gazette of June 1 of
the outstanding capabilities of this machine and
the advanced technology and thinking which have
been incorporated into its design.
Mitcheldean has always been the source of Rank
Xerox design and manufacturing skills, and so we
are again in the forefront of launching this new
and exciting product. As with the 813, 914 and
other machines, Xerox Corporation will be
marketing first – they are planning to make their
first installation in customers’ premises early in
1971. We will be following as soon as possible
after that date.
This places a tremendous responsibility on us and
is a challenge to which I am certain we will
respond. On this occasion, we have even less
time than usual to get a new product off the
ground, due to the increasing competition in the
copying/duplicating business.
In addition to the Xerox 4000, which is a new
product, the Company will also be launching the
Xerox 7000, which is a reduction duplicator
2
variation of the 3600, and, as such, will be handled
at Venray, thereby leaving Mitcheldean in a
position to concentrate all its efforts on what is
the new major product – Xerox 4000, in
accordance with the Company’s policy.
Deputy Director of
Production and Supply Operations
1
Mr Nigel Foulkes speaking at the dinner. Pictured with him at the top table are (left to right)
Miss Vi Holder, Mr Fred Wickstead, Mr Henry Phillips, Miss Doris Barker, and Mr Stanley Pratt.
GROWN UPBUT
STILL
GROWING
‘I’ve never seen such a young collection of
25-year award people,’ commented Mr Nigel
Foulkes, Managing Director and Chief Executive
of Rank Xerox. He was presenting the 25-year
awards at the seventeenth annual dinner of
Mitcheldean’s Long Service Association which
was held in the Social Centre on May 8 and
attended by some 200 members and guests.
Things happen so fast today that one hardly has
time to acquire wrinkles. But though 25 years
seems to have left little mark on those presented
with awards, the past two years since Mr Foulkes
last attended a Mitcheldean LSA dinner have
been almost a lifetime in Rank Xerox terms.
The business all over the world had grown
enormously, said Mr Foulkes. ‘I think we have
all gained a good deal of confidence and skill,
and I think there is a greater sense of being
dependent on each other in Rank Xerox.
Mitcheldean’s contribution during this time has
been a very important one and I thank you all.’
We are now able to regard ourselves as having
grown up,’ said Mr FouJkes. ‘We have 18,000
people in 23 different countries speaking 13
different languages. All over the world people
have heard of Rank Xerox.’
After speaking about recent developments
affecting the Company, Mr Foulkes continued :
‘Mitcheldean need not feel afraid that other plants
at Venray or Welwyn will cold shoulder
Mitcheldean aside or pinch its share of the cake.
There is no question of that arising. You here
helped to put these two on their feet. You
taught them and are still teaching them. You
helped them to grow up and you yourselves have
reached maturity. This is more than bricks and
mortar and steel. It is a community of human
beings and the object is to keep this as a
successful human society.
Continued overleaf
3
‘I am proud of it and you should be too. As far as
I am concerned, Rank Xerox is going to keep the
whole business growing fast, becoming
increasingly expert at its job and, I hope, becoming
increasingly human and imaginative about people.
‘We must be flexible and adaptable and keep our
heads. The future of Mitcheldean depends on
every one of you here!
‘I want to say “thank you” to you who are the
core, the backbone of this community, and
“thank you” to Fred Wickstead’.
By the time the next LSA dinner came along, said
Mr Foulkes, Mr Wickstead would be with him in
London. Paying tribute to his achievements,
Mr Foulkes said : ‘If you want a monument to
Fred Wickstead. look around.’
The five 25-year award winners (left to right)
Arthur Mason (Organisation & Methods). Roy
Jones (Work Study), Mrs Marion Cornwall
(Cashier), Stan Scott (Assistant Production
Manager, Assembly Operations) and Don Peates
(Model Shop Superintendent). Marion is one of the
youngest long service members in the Organisation.
She joined us in 1945 at the age of 14,, years, and
The retired members, of whom 33 were present,
were mentioned particularly by Mr Wickstead,
president of the LSA, when he proposed the toast
to the association. ‘One thing Mitcheldean has
never done is to forget the people who belong
here – and I hope you will never forget me.’
Referring to the fact that the association’s
membership is almost going to double in the next
three years, Mr Wickstead continued : ‘This is the
kind of growth problem Mitcheldean has been
facing for many years, and I wonder if the
association is aware of the opportunities this
provides for them.’ He hoped they would be
creative, he said ; this was the challenge for 1970.
The toast to ‘The Guests’ was proposed by
Mr A. S. Pratt (see opposite). He extended a
welcome to Mr Foulkes, to Mr D. R. Portman and
to those representatives of other long service
associations present : Miss Vi Holder, LSA group
secretary (‘without whom no Mitcheldean LSA
dinner would be complete’), Mrs B. Johnson and
Mr J. Prior, Rank Audio Visual. London :
has been in the Accounts Department ever since,
working her way up from office girl to her
appointment as Cashier in February 1958. As she
went up for her award, Mr Foulkes joked: ‘She’s
obviously an imposter!’ Certainly Marion is a
credit to the ‘Keep Fit’ movement in which she
takes an active interest.
4
Miss H. Shaw and Mrs V. Rollins, Rank Bush
Murphy, London ; Mrs C. Stansbury and
Mrs I. Burt, Rank Bush Murphy. Plymouth :
Mr L. K. Coleman and Mr L. J. Clayton, Rank
Taylor Hobson, Leicester; and Mr A. Brown and
Mr D. Eden, Kershaw, Leeds.
These 11 guests had earlier toured the Plant and
been entertained to lunch. LSA chairman
Mr Henry Phillips told the company assembled
that, when together with six of our own members-
Miss Doris Barker, Miss Kate Matthews,
Mrs Jackie Smith, Mr Laurence Miller, Mr Ray
Davis and himself – they were having tea in
Design Engineering, they totted up their total
years’ service and found it amounted to 469, an
average of 28 years per person.
Two notable absentees from the dinner – Messrs
Bob Baker and Don Elliott – sent a telegram
conveying their good wishes for the success of
the evening from the House of Commons, where,
with other members of the Institute of Works
Management, they dined with Dr King, the
Speaker, after a tour of the Houses of Parliament.
The more formal part of the evening over, the
diners adjourned to the ballroom and rejoined
their partners who had enjoyed a buffet and been
entertained with games that ‘kept them guessing’.
The sale of raffle tickets by Miss Kate Matthews,
both during the evening and at the LSA social
held earlier in the year, raised about £63 which
was used to provide an outing on June 23 to the
Brecon Beacons for retired members.
Raffle prizes were kindly donated by Miss Holder,
Mrs Stansbury, Mrs Sadie Pritchard and the
Sports Et Social Club.
NOT-SO-VITAL STATISTICS
Mr A. S. Pratt, Chief Engineer of Rank Xerox, in
proposing the toast to ‘The Guests’, amused
everyone by his somewhat unusual way of looking
at LSA statistics. Long service, he said, started at
12 years but he did not regard this as a
particularly long time. ‘All the significant
developments of Rank Xerox have occurred in
less than 12 years, and this has certainly not been
a long time.’
‘If all the 264 serving members were to be put
along the road, head to foot, they would cover
just over quarter of a mile.
‘The average service of these members is 181 years.
So if, with the aid of a time machine, they could
go back and start work one after the other, the
first would start around 5,000 years ago !
‘Forty of us apparently have worked 25 years or
more, totalling nearly 1,200 years of service, so
the first of these 40 would be starting work just
before the Vikings came.
‘A hard core of sixteen have worked 30 years or
more, totalling almost 600 years, so the first of
these sixteen would have started just in time to
learn to shoe a horse for the Wars of the Roses.’
Mr Pratt topped these calculations with a story
which showed the crazy consequences of getting
too enthusiastic about statistics:
‘A young American noticed reports that there is a
probability of about one in one million of finding
a bomb on an aircraft in America, and as he
travelled a great deal he was worried because he
thought the odds were not sufficiently great. He
consulted his statistics tables, pushed his slide
rule backwards and forwards, and reached the
conclusion that the odds were several billion to
one against finding two bombs on an aircraft ; so
from that time on he always carried a bomb in
his briefcase !’
. . the first of these 40 would be starting work
just before the Vikings came.’
5
GETTING THE TOTAL PICTURE
During May notices were issued which outlined
management promotions and changes, but the
bare bones of the notices probably need a little
more explanation to ensure everyone understands
how the alterations in the factory management
will simplify the day-to-day running of the
Mitcheldean complex.
For instance, the promotion of Mr S. J. Scott
means that all the assembly operations are now
grouped under one manager, who has a total
picture of what is being done. Each assembly
department continues with its own manager.
Similarly, all the component manufacturing
operations will be grouped under a single manager,
who will have a total picture of what is going on
in these departments all over the Plant. The new
organisation will again give each major
department a manager in control.
The third particularly significant move, as far as
manufacturing and assembly operations are
concerned, will be the appointment of a Night
Shift Manager. This also will give one man a
total picture – this time of all that happens
during the night shift.
Integrating the stores into the Supply Planning
Department brings the planning and supply of
components to the production line under one
department’s control ; and the creation of a
managerial post to combine materials handling and
factory transport again brings two closely related
and inter-linking sections under a single authority.
The changes are shown on the chart printed
below, which only covers the new appointments,
and is not a complete departmental ‘family tree’.
It should help to make clear how the new
management structure will fit together.
Works Manager
0 R ELLIOTT
Production
Manager
Progress Dept. and
Production Support
Stores Manager
M. M BRAIN
Assistant Production
Manager Assembly
Operations
S. J. SCOTT
Manager
Assembly Shop
No. 2
R. ZIMMERMANN
Manager
Assembly Shop
No. 1
G. C. LINLEY
Assistant Manager
R. PEARCE
Manager
Assembly Shop
Na. 3
R. POWELL
Materials Handling
and Factory
Transport Manager
G. BEDFORD
Assistant
Production Manager
Manufacturing
P. R. CLEAL (Acting)
Assistant Manager
Finishing Operations
J. COURT
Supervisor
G. DOUGLAS
Manager
Night Shitt
Operations
Supervisor
R. NICHOLLS
Press and
Sheet Metal
Department
6
STRONG TEAM
AT
GLOUCESTER
Some reorganisation has taken place recently
at the International Distribution Centre, Gloucester,
with a view to improving efficiency and giving
more attention to modern developments in
warehousing, transport, and export documentary
administration.
These three major functions are now dealt with by
a strong team of experienced people promoted
from within Rank Xerox. Mr Geoff Gray has been
appointed Senior Supervisor in charge of all stock
control, spares and machines, his former position
as Spares Order/Stock Control Supervisor being
filled by a newcomer to the Company, Mr David
Warrington ; Mr Paul Adcock has been promoted
to Senior Supervisor, Warehouse Operations,
which covers transport and warehouse
development, new equipment, operational planning,
etc; and Mr Ron Parker has become Transport
Supervisor in charge of movements in the UK and
also movements into Europe.
Mr B. J. (Steve) Ferriman concentrates on export
administration and is also Deputy IDC Manager.
These functions are co-ordinated by Manager
Mr Henry Berry.
To cater for increasing storage requirements, the
IDC have also increased the area occupied at the
Gloucester Trading Estate.
Recent appointments
AIM
Mr Colin Peters, Controller, Information Systems,
in the Production & Supply Operations Division.
He has joined us from Massey Ferguson Mfg Co.
Ltd where he held the position of Organisation &
Methods Manager, responsible for data processing
and operational research.
Mr Sydney K. Stanbridge, Chief Planning Engineer.
Mitcheldean Plant. He was formerly with
Honeywell Ltd, Airdrie, Scotland, where he held
the post of Chief Production Engineer in the
Industrial Products Group.
Mr Brian D. Crosby. who has taken over the post
of Manager. Supply Planning, following Mr Jim W.
Evans’ appointment as Controller, Supply Planning.
Mr Crosby joins us from Serck Radiators Ltd where
he has held senior managerial appointments.
Mr David Mills, Deputy Manager, Quality Control,
Mitcheldean Plant. He comes to us from Willis
Machine Co. Ltd, where he was Manager of
Quality Control & Inspection, having previously
worked for Bryce Berger Ltd at Gloucester.
7
at Denham
I was waiting in reception for the Mitcheldean
Plant Variety Club who were due to arrive at
5.30 pm : when it got to 6 pm I began to wonder
whether they had had a breakdown. At that
precise moment an AA van drove up and two
members of the cast jumped out to say : ‘We’ve
broken down three-quarters of a mile up the M.40.’
Eventually a relief coach was obtained and sent
out to meet them and they arrived with less than
an hour to go before curtain-up. As tradition
demanded, the show was to go on as planned,
but, in equally true British tradition, a cup of tea
was the first consideration.
The curtain duly went up, only a few minutes
late, on what proved to be a first-class variety
show. Perhaps the most popular item was the
Showband who were ably supported by individual
acts that were most professionally presented. A
great performance by everyone – my
congratulations to them all !
After the show the Denham Sports Et Social Club
entertained our visitors with a buffet supper and
social ; the evening ended at 12.15 am and the
coachload departed to such farewells as ‘Blankets
are in the boot !’ and ‘The survival kits are on top !’
Once again may I, on behalf of the Denham club,
thank most sincerely all those who gave up their
Saturday (and part of Sunday) to give us such a
thoroughly entertaining evening. – Max Chalk
Chairman, Sports & Social Club
Studio story
Originally constructed for London Film Productions
(Sir Alexander Korda),the studios at Denham
were first occupied in early 1934. They were then
the most up-to-date film studios in Europe, being
completely self-supporting with their own
workshops, water and electric supply (the power
plant was capable of producing electricity for the
City of York), and even a zoo.
During 1937, Korda the landlord became a tenant,
together with other film production companies,
and eventually the Rank Organisation came into
ownership. This continued until 1950 when the
last film ‘Robin Hood’ was made, after which there
was greater concentration on the development of
Pinewood Studios.
It was not until 1953 that the contents of the
Denham Studios were put up for auction and the
buildings were sold to become a base for USAAF
until 1960 when they vacated the site.
The rapid expansion of Rank Xerox Ltd necessitated
a search for larger premises suitable for storage
8
THE SHOW GOES ON
lia IMF 1111′ ma am iunmnrIivI=ir
A line-up of Variety Show people
outside the Rank Xerox premises at Denham on
June 13. Despite the hold-up en route, the
show went without a hitch. The hall
was full and a cheque representing the proceeds
is being sent to the Variety Club to pass on to
the charity of their choice. The Showband has
already been asked to return to Denham nearer
Christmas to play for a dance. Right: The cast
enjoy some much-needed refreshment before the
show. With them (far right) is George Crow,
president of the Denham Sports & Social Club,
who worked at Mitcheldean Plant some years ago.
and distribution, and the studios, which cover
six and a half acres, were found to be ideal in
many ways for this purpose.
Evacuation of existing premises at Park Royal
began in October 1963 and by the end of the year
we were firmly established at Denham for the
distribution of consumable products internationally
to 11 subsidiaries, and the provision of storage
and distribution facilities for the UK Operating
Company, including copiers and equipment.
Subsequent to this, other corporate departments
(Technical Publications, HQ Accounting, etc.)
moved on to the site from the West End of London
until now almost every function has staff working
at Denham.
The erstwhile studios, which provide 154,000
sq. ft. of warehousing and 89,000 sq. ft. of offices,
have a complement of some 900 personnel,
carrying out a variety of functions within PSOD,
Marketing, Technical Operations, Finance Er
Information, Personnel Et Training, and the UK
Operating Company.
at Mitcheldean
The Variety Club’s show and dance on May 15
in the Social Centre attracted an audience of
between 600 and 700. It had been arranged in
response to a request from East Dean Swimming
Pool Appeal Committee to help raise funds and,
after meeting all expenses, the Variety Club were
able to forward a cheque for £40*. In addition,
a cheque for £60 was presented on the night to
the Appeal Committee chairman, Mr J. Dawson,
by Mr Derek Parker on behalf of The Clerical and
Administrative Workers Union.
The show opened with The Xeroettes who are
now backed by the Showband; that they have
accepted some outside engagements proves just
how popular the girls with their lively routines
have become. Sadie Pritchard provided a
sentimental contrast with a few Irish songs, and
she was followed by the Fiddlers Three (Don
Webb, John Hutchins and Bob Randall) who put
on an hilarious act.
Unfortunately throat trouble affected a couple of
the cast. Alan Paton succumbed on the day of
the show and was unable to appear; Myrtle
Fowler, who was to have sung duets with Alan,
was called upon to fill the spot with solos and we
hope we have gained another artist who will be
available for future engagements.
Another victim was Andy Hardy, our regular
compere, but he managed to come along and did
a stalwart job under great strain, and we are all
grateful to him.
Ted Chetcuti entertained in his usual incomparable
style, and Gordon Davies had some popular
ballads for us.
Making their first appearance at a Variety Club
show was the Rank Xerox Karate Club, in
conjunction with the Gloucester Karate Club.
They started off with an interesting display of
self-defence tactics, following this with some
incredible blows by hand, elbow and foot which
chopped in half wood several inches thick, and
reached a breath-taking climax in free-fighting
and knife attacks which had the audience gasping.
The commentary by Karate Club member John
Hutchins was particularly appreciated.
It was good to see magician Philip Southwood
again, making a guest appearance and apparently
none the worse for his diet of razor blades !
John Earl, magically turned into Al Jolson,
brought back memories of a great entertainer,
after which the Showband, conducted by Gordon
Pritchard, brought the show to an end and
continued to play for dancing until 1 am.
We are grateful to ‘Miss Rank Xerox,
Mitcheldean’, otherwise known as Christine
Ingram, for presenting the raffle prizes. Our special
thanks also go to our stage manager, Tony
Austin-Bailey who, with limited facilities, worked
wonders with lighting and effects. He was ably
assisted by Ken Farnborough, and by the rest of
his team – Bill Pritchard (sound), Tony Cale
(make-up), and Janet Stock (wardrobe) whose
husband Vernon officiated ‘on the door’.
We would like to take this opportunity to ask for
anyone who can sing, dance, tell jokes (preferably
clean), or entertain in any way to come along and
take part in future shows. All you have to do is
contact me.- Graham Beavan (E.O. Section).
Chairman, Variety Club
This sum was augmented by receipts from the sale of
tickets in Cinderford by the committee themselves.
9
SHOWGIRL SAILOR
Character, backbone, team spirit – they’re all
desirable qualities whether you’re in the chorus
line or one of a ship’s company. So maybe
18-year-old Lynne Meek didn’t find it all that
different when, having just returned from an
all-girl cruise on board the Sail Training
Association’s Malcom Miller, she showed a
shapely leg on stage with the rest of the Xeroettes
at their recent performances.
From April 26 to May 9, Lynne’s dancing legs
were hidden under a pair of slacks as she climbed
the rigging ; cosmetics were forgotten as she
painted and varnished the ship, helped in the
galley, or even took a hand at the helm in the
Irish Sea.
The permanent male crew were, it seems, very
satisfied with the girls’ work. They had to do the
same jobs as the young men on their cruises
though, as Lynne said: ‘they had to have more of
us heaving on one rope to get the same results.’
But what they lacked in stamina and strength,
they made up for in willingness and co-operation.
Lynne’s trip took her 678 miles from Dartmouth
to Plymouth. to Brest in France, on to Dublin,
then back across to Holyhead before making a
triumphant return up the Mersey to Liverpool with
the press and television camera crews on board.
Lynne was later featured in an article in The Irish
Press and she also appeared on Irish television.
Having disembarked, there was an opportunity
for the crew to prove that there were real dolly
girls under that tough deckhand exterior! The
STA gave them a ‘welcome home’ dinner after
JUMPING A BELT
Though it has been in existence for less than a
year, the Karate Club has progressed ‘in leaps and
bounds’, as those who saw the club’s
demonstration at the recent Variety Show
appreciated.
Practically every member who took the first
grading test (6th kyu) last February ‘jumped’ at
least one belt. There are now five orange belts
(4th kyu), 22 yellow belts (5th kyu) and one
white (6th kyu), as well as six novices who joined
after the grading. two women among them.
The club still meet every Tuesday and Wednesday
in the Social Centre (they are very appreciative of
the regular availability of this facility, states
chairman David Beard), and some Sunday
mornings at Gloucester.
They have given four demonstrations so far,
including the one at the Variety Show, and they
have at least two more arranged in the next few
months. These are always in aid of charity and
10
which they were joined by Wallasey Sailing Club
boys at a dance. (We wonder if, as the boys
steered them round the floor, they got any tips
from their partners on how to handle a man-size
ship!)
Said Lynne, back at her job as a punch card
operator in Data Processing ‘I gained more
confidence as a result of the trip and I am very
glad the Company gave me the chance to go. It
was very reassuring to know you could achieve
something like this and you felt proud of what
you had done.’
The Malcolm Miller t/i,d,, belong to another aye,
but there is nothing old-fashioned about its galley
equipment, so Lynne Meek could still smile after
having coped with a pail of potatoes!
given in conjunction with the Gloucester Club
with whom they work very closely. Said David:
‘We are very grateful for their collaboration and
enthusiasm without which we could never have
achieved so much.’
About 20 members are planning to attend,
together with the Gloucester Club, a summer
school in London in September. This is a stiff
week’s course with 5th dan Mutsusuke Harada,
leading expert in the Shotokai style of karate, as
instructor. It was he who graded the club earlier
this year. At the end of the course there will be
another grading and, maybe, some of our karate
people will again ‘jump a belt’.
The officers of the club are vice-chairman
John Hart and treasurer Ronald Nunley (colleagues
of chairman David in PED) ; John’s wife Cecily
acts as secretary. Spokesman for members is
Robert Beard (Purchase) while John Hutchins
(Supply Planning), apprentice Roger Miles and
Martin Nolan make up the rest of the committee.
1 2 V.41.
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by Paul Gregory
HIGH MARKS
For the very first time this year, we entered a
candidate for the 19th International Apprentice
Competition held by the City & Guilds of London
Institute, having been prompted to do so by the
Gloucestershire & South Worcestershire
Productivity Association who have been impressed
by our Company’s consistent successes in their
annual Craftsmanship Competition.
Third year apprentice Ian Hale was selected to
represent us and, although he was not placed, he
achieved the very high marks of 207 – quite an
achievement when one considers that the highest
marks awarded in the test were 233, and that Ian
was up against very strong competition from
candidates representing some 720 companies
throughout England.
Ian had to complete a very complicated all-metric
test piece, and the dimensional accuracy, finish
and assembly of his work were all classed as
‘very good’.
X-WORD
ACROSS
1 So sweet on a tandem (5).
4 Boy meets girl on the street
(5 & 2).
8 There is absolutely nothing in
them (7).
9 Floral garland with 1 across –
also helps progress with the
tandem (5).
10 Roughneck (5).
11 Thus springs hope in the human
breast – for ever and ever (7).
13 After the soles, comes the
second fish course (4).
15 & 14 down Do such people
make good astronomers ? (6 & 4).
17 Loved trouble with a Communist
(6).
20 Great lake changes in Ireland (4).
22 A nice pear from the West (7).
24 Genuine letter – fit for a king (5).
26 Three changes for an anaesthetic
(5).
27 Copy, but not like Xerox (7).
28 The car ran gently down the
slope showing how to order (7).
29 A catastrophe could bring you
to these (5).
DOWN
1 Removes two articles of
underwear ? (7).
2 Bring it on yourself (5).
3 Not old ale by any means (7).
4 Delicate shade for a sticky
learner (6).
5 Hiding place – do I hear
money ? (5).
6 He examines his television
screen very closely (7).
7 If you beat these doctors, you’re a
tin-basher (5).
12 Royal Russian from ancient
Sardinia (4).
14 See 15 across.
16 Familiar but unknown
team-mate (7).
18 Weight-lifter – sounds like a
real man to me (7).
19 Often found in distress (7).
21 Antiseptic element (6).
22 Battlefield (5).
23 Not necessarily worn in front
of the hangars (5).
25 When you are conscious of a
body watch (5).
Solution on page 15
11
Mr Lyes presents the trophy for the highest
individual score to Eric Sologub.
The winning team in the interdepartmental
tournament: left to right (back row) R. Jones,
K. Sainsbury, E. Parsons, R. Brice; (front row)
M. Stephens, K. Howell, R. Cooke, G. Davis
and C. Ma/som. Photos: J. Ingram
LETTER
The decision to hold the LSA annual general
meeting later in the evening than hitherto seems
to have been a popular one, for a total of 40
members, twice as many as last year, attended on
May 4.
President Mr F. Wickstead and vice-presidents
Mr R. E. Baker and Mr B. C. Smith were all
re-elected and Mr A. S. Pratt was also elected as
vice-president. Mr H. Phillips and Miss D. Barker
remain in office as chairman and secretary
respectively for a further two years. The new
committee is as follows: Miss K. Matthews,
Mrs J. Smith, Messrs A. Cale, D. Cook, J. Currie,
F. Edwards, W. Grainger, C. Malsom and
D. Peates (hon. treasurer).
12
Absolute
Winners
It is some time now since the final match of the
Interdepartmental Skittles Knock-out Tournament
took place (May 9), but the last gripping moments
of the struggle between PED Peasants and Tool
Room ‘A’ should be recorded here.
From the start PED Peasants took the lead and up
to the halfway stage were increasing their lead
every leg. Then the Tool Room, realising the
game was slipping from them, suddenly burst into
life. Eric Parsons started off with a spare, and the
rest of the team, taking a cue from this, snatched
the lead away from the Peasants. At the final
count, they had secured the trophy by winning
with a score of 341 against the Peasants 329.
John Mould who, together with Machine Shop
colleague Des Haines, organised the tournament,
congratulated both teams on a very sporting and
close game. To the best of his knowledge, he
said, this was the highest ever score in a final. He
then introduced Personnel Controller Mr L. V. Lyes
who had generously given his time to come along
and present the trophies to both teams. He also
presented the trophy for the highest individual
score – 57 – to PED Peasant Eric Sologub. (In
our last issue we reported that this was to go to
Roy Jones of the Tool Room ‘A’ team, but at the
last minute the rule that the scores of players in
the final match would not be considered for this
trophy was waived.)
Members were pleased to see Wally Grainger at
the meeting. He was convalescing after having
been on sick leave for six months and we hope
that, by the time this issue appears, he will be
fully fit and back at work.
It was agreed at the meeting that the weekly
subscription should be raised to 7 np (approx
1s 41d) and so make individual collections for
retiring members no longer necessary.
Our best wishes for a long and happy retirement
go to Mrs Lilian Bevan (wirer and tester in
Heat Treatment) who leaves us in August. Apart
from a short break, she has been with the
Company for 16 years.
Mrs L. G. Townroe (better remembered as Sister)
asks us to say that there’s a welcome at Cleadon,
The Esplanade, for any LSA members who may
find themselves in Bognor at any time.
Since the present computer, a Honeywell 1200,
was installed in 1969, our business methods have
become more sophisticated, our demands have
increased, and computers themselves have been
improved.
Our present installation cannot cope on its own,
so as a temporary measure we are installing a
Honeywell 125, which is similar but smaller,
Visiting the Data Processing
Department during his recent visit
to our Plant is (centre left)
Mr Franz H. Fries, Controller.
General Administration, of August
Thyssen Hutte. the West German
iron and steel manufacturers who
already have 131 of our business
machines installed. He was
accompanied by Mr Ludwig Junkes,
Manager, Major Accounts. of Rank
Xerox Germany (centre right).
With them are (from the left)
Mr Jack Bonney, Data Processing
Manager, Mr John Hankin, who
escorted them on their tour, and
Mr Peter Ellis, the department’s
Operations Manager. Far right is
Mr Jack Baldwin, operator of the
CFP (Computer Forms Printer).
COMPUTER
CAPACITY
alongside it. This will start operating by the end
of July and will approximately double existing
capacity.
In order to take advantage of modern computer
technology, we shall have a completely new and
different computer installed early next year
which will replace these two machines.
When he visited Mitcheldean on May 6 to give a
second presentation on the work of his
department, Mr Gordon Planner, General Manager
of East European Operations (left), handed to
Mr Don Shryane the gold medal awarded to our
Company at the Leipzig Spring Fair this year. As
already reported, Rank Xerox is the only British
company to win such an award three years in
succession. The medal, with its accompanying
diploma, is being put on display in the main
reception area in Building 23, together with the
1969 medal and diploma. Mr Shryane was
recently appointed Assistant Director, Supply, in
succession to Mr Gwilym H. Peregrine, he was
previously Controller, Supply Planning.
13
Putting IYOUlin the picture
21st Birthday
Miss Grace Reece (Design Records) on June 30.
New Arrivals
Gerard, a son for Eddie Fleming (Model Shop),
on March 21.
Steven Richard, a son for Robert Greenman
(Development Laboratory), on April 5.
Maria Suzanne, a daughter for Graham Savage
(Machine Shop Inspection), on April 20.
Gary, a son for Geoff Darbyshire (Data
Processing), on May 7.
Engagements
Miss Vivienne Hoare (secretary to Mr H. S.
Phillips, Tool Inspection Supervisor), to Simon
Jason on April 10.
Miss Christine Clayson (Purchase Office) to
Sanford Gay lard (Machine Shop) on April 25.
Miss Jeanette Meek (Despatch Department) to
Lewis Colwell (3600 Stores/Stock Control) on
May 3.
John Cowmeadow (Spot Welding) to Miss Susan
Kettle on May 16.
Miss Mary Smart (Central Records) to apprentice
Derek Trigg on May 24.
Weddings
Miss Carol Williams (Spares Assembly) to
Melvyn Marfell (Model Shop) at Holy Trinity
Church, Drybrook, on May 9.
Francis Witts (Spot Welding) to Miss Carol Pudge
at St John’s Church. Cinderford, on May 16.
Miss Gloria Harper (Spares Assembly) to Ron
Moore (Work Study) at Holy Trinity Church,
Drybrook, and Miss Helen Probert (secretary to
Mr P. R. J. Hoy land, Remuneration 8- Employee
Development Manager) to Geoffrey Nash at
Ruardean Hill Baptist Church, both on May 23.
Miss Sheila Perkins (formerly Central Records) to
Stephen Smith at Lydbrook Church on May 30.
Also on May 30, Miss Carol Gregory (3600
Assembly) to Tony Burke (Spares Packing, 3600)
at St Michael Er All Angels, Mitcheldean.
Robin Greenslade (shipping section, IDC
Gloucester) to Miss Doreen Ferriman (daughter of
Mr B. J. Ferriman, Deputy Manager, IDC) at
SS. Philip and James Church, Leckhampton, on
June 6.
R. Evans
Mr and Mrs G. Nash Mr and Mrs R.
Greenslade
Mr and Mrs S.
Christopher,
whose wedding
was reported in
our last issue.
The bride, Julia,
is secretary to
Mr H. Berry.
Manager, IDC.
Gloucester.
J. Ingram
Mr and Mrs R. Moore
14
R. Evans
Mr and Mrs S. Smith
J. Ingram
Mr and Mrs M. Marfell
R. Evans
Mr and Mrs L. Lewis
Miss Julie Penn (Spares Assembly) to Lyndon
Lewis (Quality Control) at Lydbrook Church
Miss Margaret Potter (Spares Assembly) to
Michael Dee at St Michael’s Church, Mitcheldean
and Darryl Brooks (Goods Inwards Inspection) to
Miss Sandra Quick at Northampton ; all on
June 13.
Silver Wedding
Congratulations to Leonard (Jack) Turley
(Machine Shop foreman inspector) and his wife
who celebrated their silver wedding on July 6.
Obituary
We extend our sympathy to Mrs Eunice Vedmore
(Auto Plating Department) on the death of her
husband, Rowland (Remodelling Department
labourer), on May 9 at the age of 62 years.
The death of James Mapes (Machine Shop) on
June 14, aged 30 years, is also recorded with regret.
Retirements
Our best wishes go to Ken Bunn (Manager,
Component Manufacturing) who retired at the end
of June, to Arthur Freeman (Goods Inwards
inspector) who retires in July, and to Sidney Castree
(Machine Shop) and Gilbert Brookes (labourer.
3600 Department) who retire in August.
Care to Bet?
One young employee, having noted the recent
opening of a betting shop in the village, told his
mates : ‘I’ll tell my dad there’s no need to go to
Gloucester to buy turf – you can get it in
Mitcheldean now I’
HOME MARKET
For Sale
Wood rim steering wheel, rally type, to fit
Triumph Herald, Spitfire or Vitesse, £5. Apply :
J. Short, Reliability. Tel. 247 int.
Swan coach-built pram, brown/white. Matching
accessories include sun canopy, bag, shopping
tray, mattress. All immaculate condition. Cost
£43 new, price £12 ono. Contact G. Bunt, PED.
Tel. 671 int. or Ross-on-Wye 3761.
Two Berry electric storage heaters, as new.
Details from Pat Largey, tool Er gauge inspector.
Tel. 609 or 203 int.
Bridesmaid’s dress, full length, blue, size 36 in.
bust. Apply: Miss H. Lewis, Staunton, nr. Coleford,
or ring Coleford 2298 after 6 pm.
1965 Ford Corsair, excellent condition. Ring :
Miss Ann Watts. Tel. 167 int.
Three bridesmaids’ dresses, cerise pink, one
36 in., two 34 in. bust. Headdresses and shoes
(sizes 5, 5J> and WO to match. Also bride’s shoes
size 5 in. Apply : Mrs J. Christopher, IDC,
Gloucester.
Wanted
Rank Xerox Showband require male or female
vocalist to sing ballads and popular arrangements.
Contact : G. T. Beavan (E.O. Section).
Electric floor polisher in good condition. Contact :
G. Bunt, PED. Tel. 671 int. or Ross-on-Wye 3761.
Is there an artist
in your
department?
Purchase Department has one – in delivery
control clerk Cyril ‘Tom’ Meek. He has been
painting in oils for many years and, he says, his
home is like an art gallery I He likes painting
landscapes best, but he has just been very
successful with a still life entitled ‘Hydrangeas’.
He entered it for the amateur section of the
Birmingham International Spring Festival held at
Cannon Hill Park last May and his was among the
114 accepted out of 382 paintings entered.
Tom told us he will be among the competitors
entering our ‘Sell a Picture’ Competition. If you
have any amateur artists in your department,
please encourage them to enter too. The rules
were published in our March/April issue, and the
date for entries to be handed in to Mr J.
Henwood’s office in Facilities Planning is
September 30.
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
ACROSS: 1 – Daisy. 4 – Picks up.
8 – Vacuums. 9 – Chain. 10 – Scrag.
11 – Eternal. 13 – Eels. 15 – Starry. 17 – Adored.
20 – Eire. 22 – Avocado. 24 – Realm.
26.- Ether. 27 – Imitate. 28 – Arrange.
29 – Knees.
DOWN: 1 – Divests. 2 – Incur. 3 – Younger.
4 – Pastel. 5 – Cache. 6 – Scanner. 7 – Panel.
12 – Tsar. 14 – Eyed. 16 – Another.
18 – Derrick. 19 – Damsels. 21 – Iodine.
22 – Arena. 23 – Apron. 25 – Awake.
ANY NEWS FOR VISION?
If you have, then please
tell your departmental correspondent
leave it at the Gate House for collection by me
post it to me at Tree Tops, Plump Hill,
Mitcheldean or
ring me – it’s Drybrook 415
Myrtle Fowler, Editor
15
MORE ABOUT TRAINS
Since the publication of our feature on miniature
steam locomotive building, much has appeared in
the local press about the Dean Forest Railway
Preservation Society, formed in February this year.
And we were hardly surprised to learn that some
of the ‘model makers’ at our Plant are closely
concerned with this venture.
The man who arranged the inaugural meeting –
we might say he shunted the enthusiasts togetherwas
18-year-old apprentice John Hancock. At
present doing his departmental training in the
Tool Room, John is himself building two 3; in.
gauge locomotives, but he has found time to act as
the society’s honorary secretary. His mother has
been appointed honorary treasurer, while Bob
Turner (PED) is the publicity officer of the society.
Mervyn Thomas (Design) is chairman of the
locomotive sub-committee, whose purpose is to
seek out suitable locomotives to work on the
line which the society wish to preserve. Assisting
Mery on this sub-committee is another model
locomotive builder, Eddie Shermer (Fuji Xerox
Liaison Engineer), while a further employee.
Ernie Hancock (Machine Shop), is a member of
the main committee.
The line the society wish to secure is the last
section of the former Severn Er Wye Railway; one
of few such lines to survive the Beeching era in
Gloucestershire, it is all that remains of a
once-extensive network of tramroads and
railways which evolved during the 19th century in
the Forest of Dean to carry timber and minerals.
The section intended for preservation commences
at Lydney Town, three-quarters of a mile from the
ex-GWR Gloucester-Cardiff main line at Lydney
Junction (with which it is hoped to retain a rail
connection). Northwards, the branch winds for
three and a half miles through an attractive
wooded valley, past the village of Whitecroft, and
into the Forest of Dean National Park. At Parkend,
the terminus, it is planned to establish the
headquarters and rolling stock depot.
The society, which has been accepted as a
member of the Association of Railway Preservation
Societies, proposes to restore the line to its former
condition and to operate a limited public service
of steam-hauled passenger trains, with various
associated attractions and facilities which should
enhance the tourist aspect of the area.
Arrangements are also being made to retain the
trackbed beyond Parkend, to permit a two-mile
extension at a later date towards the tourist areas
of Cannop Ponds and Speech House.
Holidays are things most of us have to save up
for, especially if they are to be Continental ones,
but that hasn’t been necessary this year for two
employees. A small outlay, a little thought and a
lot of luck have brought them free holidays abroad.
Graham Savage, Machine Shop inspector, has his
wife to thank for his bit of luck. She entered a
Spar grocery contest and won a week’s holiday
for two in Majorca. They fly by jet from Cardiff
on October 7, just at the right time for their second
wedding anniversary celebration. The Savages
have another reason for regarding 1970 as their
lucky year – they have recently acquired a brand
new daughter (see our births column.)
The other lucky holidaymaker is Michael Nash,
technical clerk in Design Department, who
entered a Daily Express competition called the
Santa Vittoria Treasure Hunt, and was one of
50 winners.
How the small Italian Piedmont town of Santa
Vittoria kept from the German army the secret of
its hidden treasure (a vast store of wine) is the
subject of a best seller, and on June 4 the film of
the book had its royal premiere in London.
Michael’s prize was a free holiday in Piedmont
16
HOLIDAYS FOR FREE
for himself and his wife for the week immediately
preceding the film premiere. It included a jet
flight to Turin ; hotel accommodation with
everything ‘laid on’- trips, parties and free
transport; a treasure hunt each day with a £50
prize and a final £1,000 prize; and, as a souvenir
of the trip, a copy of the novel, a case of Cinzano
and a record of the theme song from the film.
DOUBLE VISION
A new monthly European business magazine, to
be launched on September 1, is claimed by the
publishers to be the first business monthly
publication ever to be printed in English, French,
German and Italian.
All very interesting, but why mention it in these
pages, you may ask ? Well, being in the copying
business, we were intrigued to note that the
publishers are copying us and calling the magazine
‘Vision’.
It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery, so naturally we are gratified !
Printed in England by Taylor, Young (Printers) Ltd.
