Return to 1970-1974

Vision 063

Sept/Oct 70 No 63 House Magazine of Rank Xerox Mitcheldean Plant
Fourteen-year-old Susan Howells, here being crowned queen at Cinderford carnival by Mr D. R. Portman,
comes from a real Rank Xerox family. Her father, Tom Howells, who helped at the carnival, is a milling
machine operator, and brother Michael, who is a second year Rank Xerox apprentice, was one of those
on the apprentices’ float (see centre story). Another brother. Tommy, is employed in the Works
Laboratory; a former apprentice, he has been with the Company for some 12 years.
A special message from the
Director of Production and
Supply Operations
SAVE AS YOU EARN
I am pleased to give my formal support to the
current drive by the National Savings Committee
to increase National Savings in this area.
When ‘Save As You Earn’ was introduced last
autumn, Mitcheldean was one of the first factories
in the South West region to offer employees the
facilities for this new and attractive investment.
Many of you took advantage of the Company’s
offer to have your contributions deducted from
salaries and wages at source, and I am told that
National Savings contributions from this factory
currently run at £1,400 per week. This is a fine
OUR RESPONSE
TO
COMPETITION
2
In the last issue of VISION, I mentioned the
4000 – the new console copier and duplicator –
which is being launched by Xerox Corporation
early next year, and the decision made by Rank
Xerox to follow Xerox Corporation into the market
as soon as possible after the American launch.
The 4000 is only part of our response to increased
competition. A technical lead with an excellent
product is not enough. We all depend on our
sales and service organisation.
The Company is increasing its sales effort and
large numbers of salesmen and service engineers
are being recruited – both in this country and
abroad – so that not only will Mitcheldean launch
the 4000 during the next eighteen months, but
response which benefits both the national
economy and ourselves.
I have authorised the flying of the National
Savings flag at Mitcheldean throughout the local
National Savings week. I understand also that
explanatory leaflets and ‘Sign on for Saving’
forms are being issued with salaries and wage
packets.
Save £60 in five years and you can take out £72.
Leave the money in for another two years, and
you can take out £84. Bonuses of £12 or £24
tax-free.
we can also expect to be producing increasing
numbers of certain of our existing products.
However, it is not enough to produce new
products or more of old ones; it is also important
that we improve our effectiveness, reduce our
costs, becoming more competitive in the processin
Fred Oldfield’s words ‘Work more smartly’.
Much attention will be given to this in the coming
months.
The 4000 is just one new product. Xerox
Corporation continues to spend very large sums
of money on research and development – more
than $80 million last year – much of it on new
xerographic products. We must, therefore, be
fully effective so that we can take these
opportunities as they come.
Not bad ! Help the country and help yourselves.
Fill up the form. It’s good business by any
standards.
0. a. 6Derrewro.
Deputy Director of
Production and Supply Operations
3
QUALITY
CONFERENCE
The Swiss town of Lausanne was the centre
chosen this year for the 14th annual conference of
the EOQC (European Organisation for Quality
Control), held in June.
Iron Curtain countries and such non-European
places as the United States, Japan and Vietnam
were among the 27 countries who sent
representatives. The 700 delegates included our
own Inspection Et Quality Control Manager,
Vic Parry ; Bill Thoday, Quality Manager at
Denham; and Paul Lerch, Manager of Welwyn
Statistics Department.
The theme of the conference was Metrology –
Quality – Data, and one of the papers, written
by Mr Lerch and Mr Thoday and presented by the
former, described a new technique developed with
the aid of Mr Parry and other Rank Xerox quality
control managers for quality control of incoming
goods.
For the first time at an EOQC congress, lectures
and discussions were combined with a trade fair
under the same roof – that of the modern
Palais de Beaulieu. The fair, which aimed at
integrating the programme of lectures with
practical examples, covered measuring equipment
and techniques. data acquisition and processing,
and apparatus for measuring, transmitting and
processing measured values.
Rank Xerox Switzerland scored a major success by
providing a 3600 machine with 20-bin sorter and
a 720 machine which offered a free copy service to
delegates throughout the congress that was much
appreciated. Our machines occupied a central
location – in fact it was virtually impossible to
reach the main conference room without passing
our display which was a constant centre of
attraction.
Artists please note
When handing in your entries for our ‘Sell a
Picture’ Competition, please make sure that each
picture bears a title and your full name and
department. Remember, the day for handing them
in to Mr Henwood’s secretary in Facilities
Planning Department in Building 40 is
September 30
4
Vic Parry at the conference with (from the left)
Monique Aquillon, CRO Rank Xerox Lausanne;
Paul Lerch; Bill Thoday; and Daniel Vasserot,
Sales Manager, Rank Xerox Lausanne.
Mr Parry took the opportunity while he was in
Switzerland of meeting representatives of our
Swiss company at Geneva (Rank Xerox
Switzerland is broadly divided into Eastern and
Western sections, centred on Zurich and Geneva
respectively), to discuss with them mutual
technical factors and problems. Mr Parry
emphasises that such liaison with our overseas
colleagues is always appreciated. They welcome
our constant endeavours to provide high quality
reliable machines. Furthermore, such liaison
provides the opportunity for us to see and
understand their difficulties in the field, and ways
in which we can assist.
Results of the judging will be publicised on the
noticeboards. Prizes of £15, £10 and £5 await the
winners and the Company will make an offer for
those entries (not necessarily the winning ones)
which it considers suitable for display in the new
Plant offices.
Task force
To assist Rank Xerox in the urgent task of getting a
new product into production at Mitcheldean, a
Task Force has been sent by PSOD to Rochester.
It is expected that this Task Force will stay in the
United States for six months or so. It is being
led by John Smith, Production Engineering
Department, and consists of Dennis Barnard, Tool
Engineering Department, Sam Phillips,
Production Engineering, Richard Skyrme,
Supply Planning, Geoff Darke, Quality Control,
and Ron Boakes, Design Engineering. Jim
Dawson, a consumables engineer from Welwyn,
has also joined the Task Force. Arrangements were
made for the families of these men to go with
them.
Ron Boakes was already in the United States as
the Design Engineering representation and has now
concentrated his efforts entirely on the new
product. His other Engineering liaison duties have
Mr Horace W. Becker, Vice-President, Research
Laboratories Division, Xerox Corporation, recently
came over to assist Rank Xerox in the introduction
of a new product. Here he is pictured in
discussion with our Chief Engineer, Mr Stanley Pratt
been taken over by Dick Delahay who has gone to
take up the post of Engineering Liaison Resident.
Dick’s family have gone with him and will stay
for approximately 12 months.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
Mr Frank Whinyates, who took up the position of
Production Manager, Component Manufacturing,
at Mitcheldean on September 1, comes to us from
British Domestic Appliances at Peterborough
(part of the GEC/AEI group), where he was
Production Manager. Previous to that he held
appointments as Deputy Work Study Manager
(Sales Et Distribution) at T. Wall Et Sons (Ice
Cream) Ltd, Gloucester, and as Internal Consultant
with Henry Wiggin 8- Co. Ltd, Hereford.
Mr David C. Willday joined us as Assistant
Production Manager, Component Manufacturing,
on August 3. He has worked for Lucas Gas
Turbine Equipment Ltd., SCM (UK) Ltd (makers
of typewriters and copiers), and, immediately
prior to coming to us, the P-E Consulting Group
Ltd of Egham, Surrey.
Mr John Smith has been appointed Chief
Components Engineer and is directly responsible
to Mr J. Tester, Deputy Chief Production Engineer,
for all Production Engineering activities related to
Component Manufacture. Mr Sidney Wright has
recently joined the Company as Production
Engineering Manager (Components) and reports
to Mr Smith. Mr John Pinniger succeeds Mr
Smith as Production Engineering Manager, 3600,
and reports to Mr K. Stanbridge, Chief Planning
Engineer.
Mr F. Brian Hartshorne, BNA, ARIBA, takes up
the post of Industrial Architect with us on
December 1. He comes to us from Industrial
Development Consultants Ltd where he has held
the position of Senior Project Architect. Apart
from work on industrial buildings, he has also
carried out various assignments in Holland and
Africa.
Alk
Mr Frank Whinyates Mr David C. Willday Mr F. Brian Hartshorne
5
DOWN
1. Short piece of potato. (5)
2. Caesar. for example. (7)
3. How to transport an odds
calculator. (4)
4. From Heaven, rays of light fall on
the Continent. (6)
5. Member of a race of 2ft. men. (5)
6. Classic style of Cheltenham. (7)
7. H & C for graduates? (7)
12. Oh, joy from Turkey! (7)
13. Never mind the time now, there
must be a decision by twelve. (7)
15. Just to make it a bit harder. (7)
16. Electrical attack – assault and
battery, perhaps. (6)
17. Put two and two together. (5)
19. Wherever it is, it’s not here. (5)
21. See 22 across.
ACROSS
1. Original manufacturing type. (8)
7. Suits some golfers to a tee – or,
rather, the opposite. (5)
8. For small change, omit pence –
it won’t get you anywhere. (9)
9. Unknown West-country
river ? (3)
10. Steadily study a little hole. (4)
11. If you sound like a poet, you’re
excluded. (6)
13. Edgy churchman. (6)
14. Incidentally, this class of people
also includes the lady. (6)
17. Get off the coach – it’s on
fire ! (6)
18. Such a rude four-letter word must
be short. (4)
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by Paul Gregory
20. Whichever way you look at it,
it’s no good. (3)
22 & 21 down. Kinky part of the
Severn. (9 & 4)
23. Part of the anatomy apparently
not needed on the parade
ground. (5)
24. Hop in the afternoon. (3 Et 5)
Solution on page 15
HOME MARKET
For Sale
Silver Pedigree pram, mushroom and cream,
with shopping bag and metal basket. Immaculate
condition, bargain at £5. Box no. 25.
Rosetti Airstream 3 guitar and Selmer amplifier ;
guitar has three pickups and tremolo arm. As new,
£29. Contact : R. Hook, Purchase. Tel. 468 int.
Brand-new carburettor for Ford 100E engine,
never been fitted. Apply: J. R. Osborne, Tool
Room. Tel. 127 int.
Modernised Gloucester house, end of terrace, two
bedrooms, two reception, fitted kitchen, bathroom,
separate toilet. Redecorated throughout. Garage,
large garden. Contact : D. R. Wedley, Data
Processing. Tel. 151 int.
Coach pram, medium size, brown and white, with
mattress, pillows, blankets, pram net, £10 ono.
High chair, wooden, 30s. Metal extending safety
gate, £1. All in good condition. Enquiries to:
B. John, Spot Welding, Building 24, or Park
House, Hazel Road, Drybrook.
Three-speed tape recorder in excellent condition,
£20. Also old cigarette cards, collectors duplicate
sets and odds, from 1904 to 1939 – will exchange
or sell. Contact : W. Brown, Tool Room.
Bungalow near Chepstow, four bedrooms, two
reception, large kitchen, part central heating.
Two garages, caravan bay. Further details from:
Mrs K. Allen, Education & Training. Tel. 303 int.
Wanted
Treadle or electric fret saw. Reply to: W. Kerr,
Work Study, Press Shop. Tel. 175 int.
HOW TO MANAGE MOTIVATION
Motivation was on the menu at the Wye Hotel,
Ross, so we went along one July morning, when
a two-day training seminar for managers involved
in the Staff Development Scheme was in progress,
to find out what it was all about.
There was no need for any preliminary course in
the behavioural sciences, thanks to the way the
subject was served up by the tutor. David Gration
of Management Skills Unit -a firm of consultants
who have organised a number of tailor-made
courses for Rank Xerox.
Mr Gration defined human behaviour as the line
between the need and the goal – in other words,
how we work to satisfy a need. If a man is unable
to reach his goal, he may go home and take it out
on the missus (that’s frustration) ; alternatively he
can set himself a new goal. follow a new route
(that’s motivation).
‘What makes you want to do your job well ?’
Mr Gration asked the group. The answers he
received – and they were many and varied – he
separated into two categories: job environment
factors, such as pay, working conditions, fringe
benefits, human relationships; and the personal
needs which one’s job can satisfy, such as
creativity, interest, challenge. self-development,
the opportunity to have ‘a slice of the action’.
Now the industrial psychologists say that everyone
has a normal pace of work. Job environment
factors, if unsatisfactory, cause people to work
below this level – that is. they are de-motivated.
If these factors are satisfactory, they help to keep
people working at their normal pace but they
don’t cause them to work above it.
It is the personal needs which are the ‘motivators’,
the forces which stimulate a person to peak
performance, make him do his utmost. And these
needs may be satisfied with challenging work
targets -a succession of goals, capable of
achievement by the person concerned, so as to
sustain motivation.
Following his own advice, Mr Gration set the
participants a succession of tasks to achieve
during the seminar. The course was a pretty
intensive one and the group went home at the
end of the first day with a pile of homework.
They had to write their own job specification,
write a subordinate’s specification, and prepare a
case study for possible presentation next day by
some other member of the group.
There was plenty of syndicate work and it was
significant how each man’s approach differed
from his colleague’s. People appraised one
another and, at the end of the course, were
invited to appraise their tutor himself. As a result
of this, one or two suggestions for improvements
have been adopted for use in future courses.
Sounding out members of the group after the
course, we found that most were of the opinion
that it had been of considerable value in developing
their awareness, providing a useful exchange of
ideas and offering some good guidelines. They
particularly appreciated the way in which the
proceedings were seasoned with a touch of
humour which rendered highly digestible what
could have been a somewhat heavy meal.
Said one participant : ‘It was one of the most
stimulating courses I have ever attended. I never
felt myself losing interest – it was all happening.’
‘NOW WHERE 15 TH
BIT ABOUT MOTIVATORS?.
6 7
It is four years since Mitcheldean village had its fit The SSKK Cheltenham Karate Club, led by black
last carnival, and a Rank Xerox lorry bubbling over belt Robin Greenslade of Gloucester IDC shipping
with balloons and accompanied by girls dressed >section, put on a striking display, and so, in a less
in national costumes representing our overseas forceful way, did a Keep Fit team led by Office
subsidiaries took part in the triumphant procession Wi” Services supervisor Mrs Ruby Phillips.
down the main street. Z Those who had been unable to get to Mexico to
But if we haven’t our own home effort, it hasn’t mg- see the Brazilians in their hour of triumph were
stopped us from keeping carnival-minded. One
of the most amusing floats in the carnival
41 able to watch a superb performance by a team of
female footballers from 3600 Assembly who drew
organised by the East Dean Swimming Pool Fund
committee in Cinderford last July was one entered>
their inspiration from the World Cup winners.
Having acquired an instant tan, they walked on to
by our apprentices which campaigned for
‘equal rights for men’.
The entries were judged by Mr and Mrs D. R.
Portman who officially opened the proceedings.
Mr Portman also performed the pleasant task of
crowning the carnival queen who was conveyed
with her attendants on a flower-bedecked Rank
Xerox lorry driven by Ron Marfell.
Mini-skirted and Brazilian brown, the players
pose with their referee, Ray Pickthall, resplendent
in an outsize hat, incredible undies and what look
like bovver boots. It was Ray, also of 3600
Assembly Department, who encouraged the
ell the field resplendent in some genuine football gear
adapted in the interests of fashion and topped
04 with home-made sombreros in the Brazilian
ow colours of blue and yellow. Their inspiration
spurred them on to win five goals to one in their
six-a-side match against Cinderford councillors.
jug (We attribute to jealousy the suggestion that the
1.14 rules were bent in the ladies’ favour.)
ladies to form a team and respond to the challenge
put forward by Cinderford councillors. The
footballers are (left to right) Peggy Grind le,
Christine Rid ler, Janet Wakefield, Christine Phyllis
and Bernice Hunter; kneeling, Margaret Bennett.
Said Frank Beard (IDC, Gloucester), a member of t, Larry’s Lorry
the Swimming Pool Fund Committee and one of Another IDC driver, Larry Gardiner, also had the
the losing team : ‘We are very grateful to the Or pleasure of driving a load of lovelies earlier this
ladies for giving us such a good game – and to
Rank Xerox for their co-operation.’
year when he took part in the inaugural procession
of the ‘Mayflower Year’ celebrations at Plymouth.
That notable athletic event, the 14-mile road race Z The float on this occasion promoted the Top
which, since the Mitcheldean carnival lapsed, has Rank Plymouth Suite (ballroom and conference
been run by the Sports Et Social Club in /I facilities attached to the Odeon Cinema) and
conjunction with Longhope’s annual fete, took ‘IN featured go-go girls dancing to music provided by
place on July 4. No new records were set but the the suite’s own band.
race attracted a good number of runners, among
them a former polio victim who had been told
some years earlier that he would never walk again,
much less run a 14-mile race. The ladies were
specially catered for this year – there was a
five-mile race for them alone.
Club chairman Henry Phillips acted as starter and,
as in previous years, the road race organiser was
Fred Brown. Other officials were: chief steward:
J. Morgan; timekeepers: T. Meredith,
R. Wrigglesworth ; stewards: H. Cornwall,
A. W. Haynes and Mrs. Haynes, T. Knight,
R. Morgan, D. Parkinson, E. Parsons,
S. Richardson, W. Luker; first aid: A. Cale.
With the slogan ‘We gave them the vote and they
gave us the kitchen’ the apprentices pinpointed
the plight of many men today! Here they take a
breather during domestic chores on the float. In
the left hand corner is Mrs Portman with carnival
queen Susan Howells.
two
Harry’s people are Larry’s load – go-go girls and
some diminutive dancers give a new look to a
lorry lent by Gloucester /DC for Mayflower Year
celebrations at Plymouth. The teddy (and his big
brother, hidden from view by the headboard)
were prizes in a competition.
THEY’RE
ALL
WINNERS
Nine of our employees took the course and
examination for the Institute of Materials Handling
at the North Gloucestershire Technical College
during the past session.
At the time of writing we did not know how they
had all fared, but we had heard that L. E. ‘Ted’
Bennett of Materials Handling section had been
selected as the best student of the course and,
therefore, for the John Morris Memorial Award.
sponsored by the British Industrial Truck
Association.
Ted’s success is of threefold interest to Mr Guy H.
Bedford, Materials Handling Et Factory Transport
Manager – he is Ted’s chief, he is chairman of the
Gloucester/Worcester section of the Institute of
Materials Handling and, even more to the point, he
was one of the lecturers on the course !
It’s the yodel
that gets ’em
On a less studious note, we hear that Andy Hardy.
3600 Stores chargehand and our compere at
many Variety Club shows. has been collecting
prizes too.
Within the space of some six weeks, he has won
first place in three open talent competitions – one
here in Gloucester, one at Rennishaw in
Derbyshire and one at Sothall, near Rotherham.
Yorks. A Yorkshireman himself. Andy is
particularly pleased about the last two
achievements. for it is north of the Midlands.
where top-class talent converges on working
men’s clubs, that the competition becomes fierce,
he tells us.
Andy spends much of his spare time performing at
clubs and functions. Songs, impersonations,
comedy – all are the stock-in-trade of this
versatile entertainer, but it is to his yodelling that
he attributes his success. ‘I always use a bit of
that, and it pays.’ he says. His father did 25 years’
variety club work and he was a yodeller too, so
Andy is a chip off the old block. ‘I used to do the
Tarzan call as a boy,’ he explained, ‘and the yodel
developed from that r
10
The Gough Cup for commercial studies, awarded
by the West Gloucestershire College of Further
Education, has once again gone to a girl working
at our Plant. This year it is 19-year-old Linda
Hewlett, junior to Miss Ruth Morgan,
Mr Portman’s secretary : last year it went to
Lynne James, Mr R. E. Baker’s secretary. Other
prize-winners in this field have been 18-year-old
Olwyn Woodward, junior to Miss Margaret Hale,
Mr Wickstead’s secretary, who obtained a
commerce prize, and 20-year-old Ann Watts.
secretary to Mr B. Crosby, Supply Planning
Manager, who won an award for an evening
course in typewriting.
Linda Hewlett with the cup she won for
commercial studies.
Studying, assessing and evaluating suggested
modifications to our machines which could be
adopted to improve their performance are some of
the tasks carried out by Design Engineering
Department. Such suggestions come sometimes
from our customers, sometimes from our own
engineers or those of our subsidiary companies –
as in the case of two recent instances.
Product specialist engineer Richard Steyer of
Rank Xerox Frankfurt branch built up in his spare
time a complete redesigned version of the 1824,
incorporating three major changes: speeding up of
the machine; an automatic card feed mechanism
and automatic paper feed ; and rearrangement of
INVENTIONS
ON
APPROVAL
the control panel. Arrangements were made for
Mr Steyer to bring his model to our Plant where
evaluation is proceeding under the direction of
Project Design Manager Ken Fox.
More recently two engineers from Rank Xerox
Norway came over to see the testing of their
invention, a field modification to the 914 machine.
This is a ‘stand-by heater’ which reduces the risk
of non-fusing of the first copies and may be of
significant benefit to the large number of machines
built prior to the ‘fuser boost’ modification. Tests
were carried out by the Development Laboratory in
the environmental test chamber, under the
direction of Bob Murray, 720/660 Design Manager.
Richard Steyer (centre) and his redesigned
version of the 1824 in our Design Engineering
Laboratory. With him (left to right) are design
engineer Malcolm Dickson, Trevor Smith of
Operations Planning Division, Rank Xerox House,
design engineer John Floyd and Ken Fox, Project
Design Manager.
The arctic conditions prevailing in the
environmental test chamber, where this picture
was taken, were not all that unwelcome when the
two Rank Xerox Norway representatives Per
Askim, Field Service Manager (second from left),
and Tore Gjoslien, Senior Engineer (far right),
visited Mitcheldean during a hot humid spell.
With them are (from the left) development
engineer Gordon Watson, John Jennings, change
co-ordination liaison engineer, and Bob Murray,
720/660 Design Manager.
11
GOODBYE
.0410011IN
titaw
Ailki In the course of his work as Component
Manufacturing Manager, Somerset-born Ken Bunn
frequently had occasion to walk round the various
manufacturing shops. On June 26 he made his
last tour of the shop floors, this time to say
goodbye to his many friends and colleagues before
retiring, prematurely, to look after his invalid wife.
In the Press Et Sheet Metal Shop, where he was
at one time superintendent, Ken received a picnic
basket handed over by Les Wright on behalf of his
mates; members of the rest of the Component
Manufacturing Department gave him two Royal
Doulton figurines and an AA Book of the Road,
which were presented by Frank Bayliss in the
Machine Shop.
At lunch in the executive dining-room with
members of Management and supervisory staff, he
was presented with three more figurines which
were handed over by Works Superintendent
Bob Baker, acting on behalf of Works Manager
Don Elliott who was unavoidably absent.
Les Wright makes the presentation in the Press &
Sheet Metal Shop.
MR BUNN
Earlier in the week Ken had been entertained to a
dinner at the Courtfield Arms, Lydbrook, by
members of Production Management, Mr D. R.
Portman being among those attending. His last
day at work culminated in another dinner, given
for him at the Forest House Hotel, Coleford, by the
supervisory and clerical staff of Component
Manufacturing Department, at which Ken’s
deputy, Phil Cleal, presented him with a further
figurine and a book token.
Ken, who is a keen amateur artist, chose to have
these lovely statuettes as leaving gifts so that they
could form the nucleus of a collection, and we
trust they will give him much pleasure in the years
ahead. He gave us this message to pass on :
‘I would like to thank my colleagues in
Management and all the members of Component
Manufacturing for the support and co-operation
extended to me during the past years and for their
generosity on my leaving the firm.’
Photos: R. Evans
Frank Bayliss does the honours in the Machine
Shnn
12
LETTER
Summer Outings
‘They get better every year’ was the verdict of the
two coachloads of retired members who enjoyed
the annual summer outing arranged for them by
the LSA on June 23.
The route took them through Merthyr Tydfil and
Brynmawr to the top of the Brecon Beacons. The
misty weather marred the views somewhat but the
Ray Camp, former
LSA chairman, took
this picture when
the party stopped
for a break in
Brecon.
party didn’t allow it to dampen their spirits.
After a short stop at Brecon. they had tea at
Bishop’s Meadow and on the return trip enjoyed
bread, cheese and pickles with their liquid
refreshment at ‘The King of Prussia’, near
Abergavenny.
At the end of the outing, everyone was given a
half-pound punnet of strawberries to take home
for tea next day.
Miss Doris Barker, Miss Kate Matthews, Sister
Collins and first aider John Stephens accompanied
the party. The tea and transport were provided by
the Company.
Some 50 members of the Rank Audio Visual
Sports Et Social Club and Long Service Association
came to spend the day with us on July 11. After
lunch they were taken on a coach trip to Eastnor
Castle; they returned in time for tea, which was
followed by a bingo session and a dance. Profits
Turn of the screw
. . . . the screw shall be assembled to the nut
by holding the screw-head between thumb and
forefinger, and turning in a clock-wise direction.
The screw-head shall be held with a finger/
thumb pressure of 5.7392 .0660 ppsi in a
controlled room temperature of 62.24F.
The forefinger length shall not exceed 3.625″,
and will have a maximum diameter of .750″.
Note: Out-of-roundness is permitted in the case of
operators with rheumatic or otherwise irregular
joints, provided this is recorded on Form 311
para. IV/5b, and signed by a departmental head,
category C/X3.
The thumb curve shall not exceed 4.20″r.
measured on the centre-line, and struck from the
tangent of the lower articulated attachment point.
Both forefinger and thumb shall be fitted with a
from the latter amounted to £9 10s. and this sum.
together with a donation of £8 from our visitors,
and one of £5 15s. 6d. from shop floor lady
workers, was passed on to the Cervical Smear
Campaign fund.
plate or similar horny covering on the outer tip.
The covering (hereinafter called the ‘nail’) shall be
burr-free, and any under-surface deposit shall be
removed by brushing, or by scraping with a
stainless (Firth-Vickers Ref. 1949/2 18/8 No. 3
finish, hardened and tempered to 52-58 Rockwell
C) nail file or similar approved instrument.
The clock shall . . .
‘Hey, you!’
‘Me?’
‘Yeah, you with the HNC and bar – what about
the screw ?’
‘What screw?’
‘The one you’re talking about, stoopid.’
‘Oh, that. What about it?’
‘It doesn’t fit.’
‘Well, find one that does – there’s a box-full
under the bench. For Pete’s sake, do I have to
think of everything around here!’
13
A VISIT FROM ‘MR ENGINEERING’
Our visitors. who include people of all ages and
from many walks of life, invariably find a tour of
our Plant an interesting and informative experience ;
but for ‘Mr Engineering’ such a tour proved
immensely gratifying as well.
Mr J. A. K. Winfield, to give him his other name,
recently retired after 26 years as lecturer in
engineering subjects at the West Gloucestershire
College of Further Education ; in that time he has
helped nearly 500 apprentices and employees at
our Plant with their studies for HNC and ONC.
During his visit last July he recognised and talked
with quite a number of his ex-students – some of
whom, like Roy Powell, Charlie Brown and Tony
Kibble, he was pleased to see holding positions of
responsibility. In fact, Mr Winfield was heard to
remark that had he realised the full extent of his
own responsibility, he might have never have
taken up teaching all those years ago !
Both past and present Rank Xerox apprentices
clubbed together to buy him a token of their
appreciation -a butane gas lighter and tobacco
for his pipe – and these were presented to him by
Mr Frank Edwards in the Apprentice Training
School.
Mr Edwards, who accompanied Mr Winfield on
his tour of the Plant, makes the presentation on
behalf of past and present apprentices.
Not yet embarked on their careers, three groups of
young people also came to see us during the
summer.
First were some students of electrical engineering
from Delft University, Holland ; their ten-day visit
to this country to tour factories specialising in
advanced electrical engineering techniques was
arranged through the Institute of Directors.
Mr Gerry Peters from Venray Personnel
Department flew over to meet the group and
accompanied them on their tour.
Then in July about 40 members of the North
Gloucestershire branch of the British Association
of Young Scientists (affiliated to the British
Association for the Advancement of Science)
looked over the Plant, their ages ranging from 15
to 18 years.
They were followed by a party of 15 young
people from various European countries whose
visit to England had been organised by Rotary
International. The Forest of Dean Rotary Club
were acting as their hosts on the day they came to
us; they were given a demonstration of the 3600
in the Training Centre and had a look round the
Machine Shop and 3600 Assembly.
The Delft University students inspect Goods
Inwards Inspection. Showing them round is
W. R. ‘Bill’ Davidson, manager of the electronics
section in PED (third from left.) Mr Peters from
Venray can be seen behind the group; second
from left is the member of the Institute of
Directors who made arrangements for the visit.
14
Putting IYOUlin the picture
Engagements
Miss Anne Hynnes to Ronnie Phillips (both time
clerks) on May 30.
Miss Marjorie Woodward (TED) to Rowland Jones
on July 11.
Miss Susan Watkins (Telex Operator) to
Andrew Tate (Supply Planning) on August 22.
Miss Linda Dowding (Despatch) to Keith Tyler
on September 20.
Weddings
Graham Lockwood (Model Shop) to Miss Cynthia
Norris at St Martin’s Church, Hereford, on
June 20.
Gordon Davis (Tool Room) to Miss Gillian Prosser
at St Mary’s Church, Lydney, on July 11.
Roger Trigg (Tool Room) to Miss Helen Bevan at
the Church Road Methodist Chapel, Cinderford,
on August 31.
New Arrivals
Colin Peter, a son for Philip Husbands (Machine
Shop), on June 12.
Andrew Martin Glyndwr, a son for Mrs Helen
Thomas (formerly Supply Planning), on June 22.
Damian Paul, a son for Tony Jones (Factory
Progress), on July 5.
Adrian Paul, a son for Trevor Griffiths (canteen
chef) and his wife Ann (formerly Data Processing),
on July 9.
David, a son for design engineer John Millwater,
also on July 9.
Paul, a son for Mrs Diana King (formerly Data
Processing punch room), on July 10.
Christopher Robert, a son for Bob Toomer
(Model Shop) and his wife Jane (formerly
Personnel receptionist), on July 16.
Steven a son for Dennis Brain (supervisor,
Supply Planning), on July 20.
Edward Michael, a son for Dick Wright (design
engineer), on August 1.
‘New Model’
When he went to the USA last January as Rank
Xerox Supply Resident, Maurice Pask from
Purchase took with him his wife Dorothy and
daughter Debbie; he returns next year with his
wife, daughter and son. The arrival of young
Jason Matthew on May 27 made history – it was
the first time any representative from Mitcheldean
has had an addition to the family born during
temporary residence in the States.
Mr and Mrs G. Lockwood Mr and Mrs G. Davis
Silver Wedding
Congratulations to Mrs Jane (Pat) Stephens
(chargehand, Cleaning Services) and her husband
who celebrated their silver wedding on July 19.
Mrs Stephens, who has been with us for nearly 12
years, has six children, three of whom work at
our Plant ; there’s Michael (21 years) in Machine
Shop, Margaret (19) in Purchase and Victor (16)
in Maintenance.
Retirements
Our best wishes go to Richard Barker (Paint Shop)
who retires at the end of September, and Gilbert
Green (Quality Control) who retires at the end of
October.
Obituary
We regret to record the deaths of the following :
Peter J. Thompson (jig and tool draughtsman,
TED) at the age of 25 years on June 29;
Roy Prothero (bench hand, Machine Shop),
aged 64 years, on July 7.
CROSSWORD _SOLUTION
ACROSS: 1 -v
Creative. 7 – Drive.
8 – Impotence. 9 – Exe. 10 – Pore.
11 – Barred. 13 – Verger. 14 – Gentry.
17 – Alight. 18 – Curt. 20 – Dud.
22 – Horseshoe. 23 – Chest.
24 – Tea dance.
DOWN : 1 – Crisp. 2 – Emperor. 3 – Tote.
4 – Venray. 5 – Biped. 6 – Regency.
7 – Degrees. 12 – Delight. 13 – Verdict.
15 – Toughen. 16 – Charge. 17 – Added.
19 – There. 21 – Bend.
15
FISHY FEATURE
This is about some useful members of our staff
whose under-surface work is not widely
appreciated – fish. The ‘fish pond’ on the site
normally holds 25,000 gallons of water which
cools the air compressors and provides a useful
reservoir in case of fire. Carp, goldfish and chub
live in, on the understanding that they keep the
water clean by eating the algae and insects.
The tank recently needed repairing, so the water
was pumped off into an inflatable tank nearby and
Maintenance men, helped by the works fire
brigade, caught the fish in nets. Alas, the lower
temperature of the water in their reception centre
accelerated the progress of a disease known as
‘white spot’ by which the fish were affected, but
which the warmer water had held in check, and
a hundred or so had to be given decent burial.
The tank has now been repaired, given a
protective coating and restocked with healthy
fish. And to help keep them that way, people are
asked not to feed them – titbits thrown in the
water can induce disease among the fish as well
as causing blockage in the pipes.
Fishing hopefully for survivors as the inflatable
tank is emptied of water. In the background is
the works fire brigade tender.
Ancient Egyptians
The ancient hounds of the Egyptian Pharaohs live
again – at Ruardean ! Their direct descendants
are bred by Jim Watts of Goods Inwards
Inspection. These rare breeds are known in
England as Ibizan Hounds and Pharaoh Hounds
and are recognised by the Kennel Club. There are
less than 100 of the latter and perhaps 200 of the
former in this country.
Far back in history traders carried these hounds
from Egypt to Malta, where the smaller red
Pharaohs developed, and to the Balearic Islands
where they developed into the larger red, or lion,
and white Ibizans.
Although they differ in size and colour, the
common distinctive feature of both breeds is their
large, pointed, erect ears which they use in
conjunction with keen eyes and nose to locate
and hunt small game. The Ibizan can catch a hare
on the run, while the Pharaoh is an excellent
mouser. Ibizans make good gun dogs too.
So far, Jim has bred one litter of each breed –
seven pups in each. His young lbizans are just
nine months old and one of them won the ‘Best
Puppy’ award at the recent Hound Championship
Show, London.
On Stage
If you like the Brian Rix type of farce, you should
enjoy the Restoration comedy ‘The Provok’d Wife’
by John Vanbrugh, for the ingredients are
similar – mistaken identity, wife flirting with boy
friend, husband losing his own clothes and
dressing up in his wife’s.
The Cheltenham Little Theatre are making this the
first of four productions during their 1970/1
season and Jack Timms, Drawing Office Manager,
who is chairman of the group, tells us the play
will run from September 12 to 19 inclusive at the
Playhouse Theatre, Bath Road, Cheltenham.
Incidentally, the Drawing Office seems to be
particularly rich in amateur theatrical enthusiasts.
There’s Laurence Miller, who often stage manages
16
for Longhope Amateur Dramatic Society and
there’s Len Harper, who has been associated for
about 30 years with the amateur stage and who
produced ‘Strike Happy’, the comedy put on by
Ross Amateur Dramatic Society as part of the
town’s holiday attractions in August.
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, Edit,
Printed in England by Taylor, Young (Printers) Ltd.

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