January 72 No 73 House Magazine of Rank Xerox Mitcheldean Plant
Despite ttie abundance of conifers, not only in
tfie Forest but within the confines of the Plant
itself, the Christmas tree has lost none of its
magic. Blazing with lights, this fine specimen
was photographed against the steelwork of the
future office block near Administration Building
23. Together with the cards, the cotton-wool snow
and paper decorations, it brought a festive touch
to our business activities. A new departure this
Christmas was the holding of a Carol Festival in
the Social Centre on December 22. Organised by
the Christian Fellowship group, it attracted close
on 200 who joined in carols sung by the choir of
St. Peter’s Church, Cinderford, under the direction
of choirmaster Mr Alan Phelps (Pre-Production
Control). There were readings by Mr Derek
Portman, Mr Peter Salmon and Mr Maurice Hale
(Remodelling), and a talk by guest speaker Mr
Don Dickenson who directed his address at the
many children present. Mr Ken Stanbridge (FED)
conducted the proceedings, at the conclusion of
which everyone enjoyed mince pies and coffee.
A PATTERN FOR T H E FUTURE
The advent of the New Year is always a traditional
time for reflection upon events of the past.
It is perhaps particularly apposite at this time,
following the death of Joseph C. Wilson, Chairman
of the Board of Xerox Corporation, on
November 22 last year, to look back at the early
history of our company. It was Mr Wilson’s vision
and determination in the early days which gave
rise to the two companies to which many of us
now owe our livelihood.
Joe Wilson joined the Haloid Company in 1933.
The company was weathering the depression well
owing to success in perfecting a photocopy paper
which was superior to any offered by competition.
During the war years, most of Haloid’s production
went into fulfilling defence and military needs.
Although the firm was stable, profits were
unspectacular in the face of growing competition.
By 1946 Mr Wilson held the offices of both
president and general manager. At about that
time he was alerted to the potential of a new
copying process known as xerography, which had
been invented by Chester Carlson, a patent
attorney, and which was being studied at the
Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio.
Mr Wilson was convinced of its possibilities as
applied to Haloid production, and although well
aware of the risks involved in financing extensive
development of an untried process, nevertheless
contracted with Battelle to sponsor the
investigation in return for limited production
rights. In 1948 he concluded a more extensive
contract with Battelle, committing the Haloid firm
wholeheartedly to the future of xerography.
Once committed. Haloid, under Mr Wilson’s
direction, moved full steam ahead, and over the
period 1946 to 1952 devoted more money to
xerographic research than the company earned
during that period. It was 1953 before even
modest profits from xerography were made.
In 1956 exclusive world-wide rights to the
process were purchased by Haloid from Battelle.
Two years later the firm changed its name to
Haloid Xerox, Inc. The company was renamed
Xerox Corporation in 1960 and under Mr Wilson’s
guidance expanded its horizons both geographically
and in its areas of interest.
The geographic expansion of the ‘Xerox World’
has been helped in no small way by ourselves.
Rank Xerox was formed in 1956 as a joint
venture by The Rank Organisation and what is
now Xerox Corporation. Under the terms of the
agreement the results of Xerox Corporation
research and development activities are made
available to Rank Xerox.
The first Rank Xerox machine was assembled at
Mitcheldean in 1959, since when the Plant has
grown from 144,000 sq. ft. to approximately six
times as many square feet (885,000) at the end
of 1971, and during 1972 the figure will be
approximately nine times the original at
1,289,000 sq. ft.
In 1959 the number of people employed was
1,064 and the figure recorded at the end of 1971
was 3,720.
In the 1 5 years since Rank Xerox was formed we
have grown more and faster than most
companies. Let us all in 1 972 endeavour to
sustain that pattern, for only by so doing can we
ensure our continued prosperity.
In conclusion may I convey to all of you who
work at Mitcheldean, and to your wives and
families, a very sincere wish for a Happy and
Peaceful New Year.
General Manager. Mitcheldean Plant
SP®RTS & SOCIAL
CLUB
PARTIES FOR L I T T L E PEOPLE
earlier one for the five-to-seven-year-olds, also
pictured here, deserves a round of applause.
SP®RTS & SOCIAL
CLUB
LeVs discuss
the Dance
The recent annual dance was the first the
newly-constituted Sports & Social Club committee
had handled and they can take credit for its
undoubted success.
One obvious improvement was the banishing of
bar activities from the ballroom, thus leaving
plenty of room for dancers to glide, jerk or
whatever. The breaks which occurred at the
changeover from Victor Silvester to the Guinevere
beat and vice versa were unplanned, say the
organisers; this won’t happen next year when,
incidentally, we may have Joe Loss and his Band.
Despite the fact that we were able to cater for
the increased figure of 700 this year, the
committee feel this percentage of total employee
strength at our annual dance is not nearly
enough. But the Social Centre cannot hold
more people. Cheltenham Town Hall won’t do —
it’s booked for the next five years on Fridays and
Saturdays over the winter months.
This is one matter which is exercising the minds
of the committee. Another is the ‘Miss Rank Xerox,
Mitcheldean’ contest. We thought we’d ask the
contestants themselves what changes they
would like to see in its organisation, and some of
their comments certainly deserve consideration.
For example, some felt that
# the second and third prizes should be more
worth while;
# there should be a clearer understanding of
what qualities are required in the winner;
A line-up of some of the 21 contestants for the
‘Miss Rank Xerox, Mitcheldean’ title. The girls
were introduced by John Earl, who kindly acted
as MC at short notice.
The Committee certainly have plenty to think
about in 1972. In the meantime we can report
that they are hoping to get Kenny Ball and his
Jazzmen to the Social Centre ballroom for a
dance this spring.
Cricketers were very much in the Rank Xerox
picture last November. Apart from the judging of
the Mitcheldean ‘Miss Rank Xerox’ contest,
there was the opening at Maidstone of the 21st
Rank Xerox showroom in the UK by Colin
Cowdrey, the Kent and England cricketer. Here
he is obtaining a Xerox copy of the inscription on
a cricket bat, autographed by him to mark the
occasion. With him in this picture are Rank
Xerox officials (left to right) H. Orr-Ewing,
Director, UK Region: J. Lowe, Manager, Southern
Counties area: and M. Richardson, District Sales
Manager.
# the rehearsal on an empty stage is inadequate
preparation for completing an obstacle course
across leads and round band instruments when
hampered by long skirts, butterflies in one’s
stomach and the knowledge that hundreds of
eyes are calculating one’s chances.
All kinds of ideas have been put forward —
including a novel suggestion that the contest
should be replaced by one for ‘Glamorous
Grandmothers’ I
4
P R E S I D E N T ‘ S N I G H T
The Cine & Photographic Club’s President’s
Night, which had to be postponed last November,
is to take place on January 19 ; Mr Derek Portman
will be showing some of his slides, and there will
be a showing of the club film ‘The Independent
Operator’.
The previous evening the club are to visit Newent
for a ‘slide battle’ with the local club. Then on
February 9, Bob Farnham of File Control is to give
a programme on ‘Adding Sound to Film’.
The children’s party on December 8 was a great
success, judging by the reaction of the participants,
who enjoyed a good tea and cartoon programme.
Tucking in at the party held by the Cine B Photographic Club for men,. Jdren.
F I S H I N G A G A IN
The Angling Club surfaced again briefly on
December 18 when a Christmas Fayre Contest was
held on the River Wye at Redbrook.
Thirty-two employees fished the match and there
were 25 bottle prizes. Top weight was achieved by
John Teague (660 Assembly) with 521b 4oz, a
record for the lower reaches of the Wye.
Second came Gary Cooper (Tool Room) with
211b 2oz and third Vern Hepburn (Purchase)
with 201b.
Anyone interested in keeping the club ‘in the
swim’ is invited to attend the forthcoming AGM
(date to be announced).
N E W LLI^Ll^IXS^ P R I Z E D R AW
You will find below an application form for
joining the new ‘Bonanza’ Prize Draw. As already
announced, this will offer, in addition to increased
weekly prizes, high value Bonus Prizes such as
cars, colour TV sets and £100 cheques at
intervals throughout the year.
All you have to do to join is enter your name and
check number on the form, sign it, cut it out and
place it in your nearest ballot box. These will be
found in time offices, canteen areas and other
A P P L I C A T I O N T O J O IN
strategic points around the Plant. In due course
you will receive notification of your draw number.
Enquiries have been made as to whether it is
possible to have more than one entry. At the
moment this has been decided against but
arrangements may be made at a later date to allow
more than one entry.
It’s not too late for a New Year resolution — so
resolve to join now !
The organisers ol the bulleti dance held by
Spares B Sub-assembly on December 10 —
photographed with Production Manager Frank
Whinyates (far right), who presented the ladies
with bouquets, and Ira Griffin (left) who acted as
MC. During the evening Les Day, Bill Pritchard
and Paul Ricks, whose birthday it was, were
given surprise presents, and so were their wives.
The dance, held in the Social Centre, attracted
300 people, and included a lively cabaret.
THE PAR
Clem Chadd presents a spot prize to Sue Field at
Production Control’s party, watched by Josie
Malpass. Clem, Josie and Gail Meek organised the
party, which was held at the Paddocks Hotel,
Symonds Yat, on December 17. Among the 130
present were Les Bullock, Gerry van de Vinne and
Hank Shrijver from Venray: 6 ft 7 in Hank, with a
voice down in his boots, contributed to the
entertainment, as did our own John Earl.
Around 250 people attended the 3600 Department’s
dinner/dance on December 18. It was held in the
Social Centre, with dancing to the Amalgamation
Showband. Responsibility for organising the
event was in the hands of an all-ladies’ team —
Betty Davis, Shirley Grail, Shirley Mason and
Gwen Wilson.
Y SCENE
Three ‘likely lads’— Ashley Saunders.
Ken Beard and Tom Ward — among the 160
people present at Works Engineering’s dinner/
dance, held on December 10 at the Manor House
Hotel, Longhope. Entertainment was provided by
the department’s resident singer — electrician
Ted Chetcuti. Terry Morgan, Phil Townsend and
Mike Weaver were responsible for organising ‘the
best party we’ve had yet’.
John Ingram
Two tables at the Administration party; held at the
Chase Hotel, Ross-on-Wye, on December 21, it
was attended by members of top management.
There was a particular welcome for Mr Fred
Wickstead (he’s never missed an Admin.
Christmas ‘do’ yet), who came with his wife and
family. Organisers Ruby Phillips, Margaret
Watkins, Mike Keene and Arthur Matthews
‘catered’ for 150 people, and managed to provide
no less than 20 big draw prizes.
The organisers of the buffet/dance held by
Spares B Sub-assembly on December 10 —
photographed with Production Manager Frank
Whinyates (far right), who presented the ladies
with bouquets, and Ira Griffin (left) who acted as
MC. During the evening Les Day, Bill Pritchard
and Paul Ricks, whose birthday it was. were
given surprise presents, and so were their wives.
The dance, held in the Social Centre, attracted
300 people, and included a lively cabaret.
7
FLYING VISIT TO RUSSIA
Contrary to the impression you might have gained
from recent reports in the local press, a study of
Russian mouse-trap design and manufacture was
not the prime purpose of the visit to Russia last
October by Mr Ron Mason, Controller,
Manufacturing & Engineering !
Together with representatives from other
companies in the West Country he went to visit a
number of major Russian machine tool factories to
assess the quality of their products with a view to
possible purchase.
The programme was organised jointly by
Stankoimport, the Russian Ministry responsible for
both imports and exports, and Kerry Machine
Tools Ltd., Bristol, a member of the Owen
Organisation.
Those in the party were expecting a cold
atmosphere in Russia, not only because of the
time of year, but also because, just prior to
departure, the political situation between the UK
and the USSR had worsened dramatically with
the espionage incident.
As it turned out, their reception varied
considerably from factory to factory. At one end
of the hospitality scale the party was made
warmly welcome by the factory director,
photographs were permitted, and all technical
questions were answered fully.
At the other end of the scale, the atmosphere was
somewhat cooler—they were given plenty of facts
and figures about the history of the concern and
similar information, but were unable to obtain all
the technical details they were seeking, and were
only shown a small part of the plant
non-operational.
‘We flew by Finnair to Helsinki, then on to
Leningrad by Aeroflot,’ Mr Mason told us. ‘Our
itinerary took in Kharkov, Moscow and Krasnodar,
using internal flights. It will give you some idea of
the vastness of Russia when I tell you that, on one
internal flight, we flew over Russian soil for a
longer period of time than on our direct
Moscow/London flight home.
‘Whereas in Leningrad, on the Baltic coastline,
there was a biting cold wind, and we were unable
to see the major lathe factory close to Moscow
because a heavy fall of snow and fog grounded all
aircraft, the roses were still blooming happily
down in Krasnodar near the Black Sea.
‘In every factory visited I found capital investment
at a very high level and the facilities provided
equal to anything I have seen in the UK, Germany,
Switzerland and the USA. The quality of the
machines, particularly lathes and grinding
machines, was of a high order.
‘Our party stayed at Intourist Hotels and as these
were reserved for foreign visitors, we had little
opportunity to chat to the locals. We could walk
around quite freely but although everyone seemed
friendly, the one big barrier to communication was
the language difficulty. One couldn’t even guess
at the meaning of names on buildings, etc.,
because the Russian alphabet is so very different
from our own.
‘What, for example, would you have made of these
words if you’d seen them printed on a
manufacturer’s handout?
*
KonkipoBonbHOLUnMC|
30BanbHblM QBTOMOT
‘The USSR is of course a vast land mass
comprising a number of countries, and since a
Russian from one region often cannot understand
a Russian from another, it is hardly surprising that
we had difficulty.
‘Apart from visiting various plants, we also spent
some time at the Machine Tool Pavilion in the
Palace of Achievements in Moscow, where we
saw a demonstration of machines; this had been
arranged for us by a director of Stankoimport who
was himself present.
‘I suspect that many of the more advanced
machines, particularly the numerically-controlled
ones, were not in quantity production because I
continued opposite
F O R S A LE
Reed organ, as new, £25 o.n.o. Contact Mrs E.
Thomas, Design Print Room.
Brown/white high pram, good condition; also
white pram set and pram blanket, both new — £8.
Joe Davis snooker table 3 ft x 6 ft, etc — £12.
Ring Mrs Whittington, 353 int.
Bluebird caravan, 24 ft, very good condition,
£200 o.n.o. Can be viewed. Apply Brian John,
Spot Welding section, Building 11. Tel. 272 int.
Solid fuel boiler, Gloworm Aristocrat, output
45,000 BTHU’s approx., suitable for domestic hot
water and three radiators — asking £1 5.
‘Phone C. A. Nightingale, 621 int.
Pedigree Basset hound puppies, tricolour,
champion parents. ‘Phone Lea 332 or 627 int.
Camera, Halina Paulette electric, 35 mm, f2-8,
built-in light meter. As new, £10. Contact
D. Terry, Systems Analysis, tel. 746 int.
8
had previously seen similar models in the factories
receiving the attention of development engineers.
‘Time was at a premium — we were not on a
Cook’s tour — but we did manage to fit in a bit of
sightseeing.
‘Although Stalin was a forbidden subject, our
guide did not in the least mind talking about Peter
the Great who founded Leningrad, and during our
stay in that city — now Russia’s most important
industrial centre — we looked over the Winter
Palace built by the Tsar and saw the original
fortifications erected by him to protect Russia
against the Swedes.
‘I couldn’t spare the hours necessary to queue to
see Lenin’s tomb, neither did I manage a visit to
the Bolshoi Theatre, but I did get to hear the
Moscow Symphony Orchestra.’
“automatic grinding machine
This Moscow monument to ‘the conquerors of
space’ is faced with the space age material,
titanium, reflecting light in a colourful and
spectacular way.
PRODUCT
QUALITY
The various aspects of Ouality — principles,
methods, systems, etc. — was the theme of a
course held at Rank Xerox Venray from
October 11 to 15 inclusive.
The keyword was ‘involvement’ and the course
was specially planned to promote participation and
i provide demonstrations in addition to formal
instruction, films, and other visual aids.
Rank Xerox Venray was chosen because it was
felt to be the most convenient location for
I members of the Operating Companies Workshop
I Quality Control personnel who attended : the
delegates came from the UK, France, Germany,
Spain and Sweden.
Speakers from Mitcheldean were Mr Vic Parry,
PSOD Controller, Product Ouality, Mr Ron Teague,
Gauge Engineering Manager, and Mr Terry
Buffry, Research Chemist. Representing Venray
were Quality Control Manager Mr A. Noordijk
with QC personnel Mr B. Loenen, Mr P. Palmen
and Mr R. Swaneveld; Senior Statistician
Mr J. Bosje; Mr A. Creemers, Design Manager,
New Products; and Mr P. Spee, Consumables
Audit Engineer. Mr G. Kohler, Manager,
Workshop Operations, from HQ was present during
the opening sessions.
Credit for much of the success of the course must
go to Ron Teague who was responsible for most
of the detailed planning and syllabus
arrangements, and co-ordination of the course as a
whole, in addition to which he presented several
excellent papers himself.
The very useful information, with examples, which
he provided on copy quality parameters and
assessment was welcomed by the delegates as
being of great practical value during their
day-to-day activities. One outcome is that
Mitcheldean will make this information generally
available to workshops for control of copy
quality.
The delegates were impressed with the colour
film ‘Gauging at Mitcheldean’ which was shown.
This well-produced film was taken by works
photographer Jack Seal, assisted by Ron Teague
who spoke the commentary, and showed shots of
the Plant — Central Records, Goods Inwards
Inspection, Assembly and Manufacturing areas.
The element of participation and contributory
discussion throughout the course enabled many
questions and technical factors to be usefully
discussed. The delegates expressed appreciation
of the course contents and the general impression
was that the exercise had been well worth
while. V.G.P.
RUGGER 100 YEARS AGO
Charged with the task of tracing the history of
the Ross Rugby Club, their secretary, Derek
Wintle of Personnel Department, has unearthed
some fascinating facts.
The club was believed to have been founded in
1880, but Derek found that in 1879 the club
played a floodlit match on March 13 at ‘the
Marsh’ against Newent.
The match, watched by 1,500 people, was used
as an opportunity for a demonstration of the use
of electricity, given by Mr W. Brain, an engineer
of the Pyramid Electric Company.
‘We must confess,’ the Ross Gazette wrote at the
time, ‘we shall be inadequately expressing public
opinion if we were not to say that the effect of
the light was not so astonishing or so complete
as the majority of people expected to find it.
‘For instance, the light was flickering ; it alternated
from white to bluish-pink, sometimes casting a
sickly glare; and, moreover, it was not strong
enough for the purpose required — we mean the
lighting of the ground, for the spectators, when
the game was going on, could not recognise the
players unless they were close at hand, while the
players themselves could not very clearly discern
the ball at the further side of the ground.’
Of the game itself, the Gazette reported that Ross
won by one goal and six tries to one disputed
goal. ‘Play began in a very spirited manner, and
was encouraged by a few noisy young gentlemen
in the crowd, who appeared for the time to lose
their heads, judging by the frantic shouts.’
Members of the Ross team were : Bradstock,
Chadwick, Davies, Sargeant (captain), Minett,
Banks, Peele, Short, Russe, Wilding, Josephs,
Wylie, Llewellyn and Bird (anybody recognise an
ancestor ?).
Further evidence which has since come to light has
proved beyond all doubt that the Ross club was
in fact founded in 1873 — which means that it
will be celebrating its centenary in 1973.
During the 1873 season Ross played 11 games,
winning eight and losing three. In those days the
fixture list included such notorious Clubs as
Gloucester, Cheltenham and Newport I
Only a f ew office doors away from Derek, Keith
Laken of Education & Training Department is one
of the three people who last season started a
rugger club in Newent; unaware at that time that
such a club had been in existence nearly 100
years ago, he is now keen to catch up on its past
history.
Maybe there are members of other football clubs
in the Plant who have some interesting stories to
tell of ‘battles long ago’; if so, we’d like to hear
from them.
YOUTH—at sea
Once again young people under the age of 21
have been invited to send in applications to join
one of the 14-day cruises on the Sail Training
Association’s schooners Malcolm Miller and
Sir Winston Churchill.
The Rank Organisation has taken up a number of
berths for the 1 972 programme commencing in
March and three boys and three girls will be going
from Mitcheldean.
It seems that the girls have not been put off in the
slightest by the lurid account, given by secretaries
Jenny Ebert (trainee), Linda Hewlett and Sue
Tucker, of their trip last November on an all-girls’
cruise. The STA promised central heating and hot
showers below deck; they didn’t mention the
gale Force 9 and icy showers on deck.
During their 890 miles’ trip, mostly under sail, the
three girls had to get used to being on call at all
hours. They did their bit down in the galley (the
worst job was cleaning the big porridge pans),
taking the helm, polishing the brass, climbing
aloft, cleaning the heads (toilets to you) and
generally developing their character. One valuable
lesson they learned was never to be sick on the
windward side of the ship — it’s regarded as
unsociable I
After this, the hardships of being a secretary are
going to seem child’s play.
—at skittles
Mr Peacock did warn the apprentices at their
annual dinner last March to watch those girls’ but
it seems his words weren’t taken seriously.
In fact, when they met our trainee secretaries at
Oakle Street on December 6 for an eight-a-side
skittles match, our fifth-year apprentices thought it
would be a walk-over. They gallantly conceded
the girls a good start — and were startled when the
latter won 399 : 391.
‘It was more luck than judgment,’ said the girls
generously, but no doubt Gary Rogers, chairman
of the apprentices committee, whose sister Karen
was in the opposing team, came in for some
barracking, and a return match is essential so that
the apprentices can do something about their
tarnished skittles image.
10
THE PRICE OF SAFETY
In these days everything carries a price tag. When
considering safety problems and the role we all
have to play, stop and reflect that in this instance:
THE P R I C E OF S A F E T Y IS E T E R N AL
V I G I L A N C E
by each and every one of us, not only for our
own welfare and safety but also on behalf of our
families and loved ones who are the first to suffer
if the main provider is struck down.
0 V I G I L A N C E in attention to the following
aspects of safety —
a Good housekeeping
b Safety committees
c Competitive schemes
d Suggestions
e Training
f Codes of safety standards
g Plant examination and maintenance
h Records and literature
will all reduce the possibility of it becoming our
turn next.
Each person is convinced that he/she exists
under the protection of an invisible umbrella
which shelters him/her and ensures that accidents
always happen to the other man.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Compliance with statutory duty is not enough,
and it should be considered as a minimum
standard.
^ V I G I L A N C E in the use of guards which are for
the protection of operators, setter operators and
setters — no person can presume to be exempt
from their use. Remember that fingers are flesh
and bone, and the sensation of pain is common
to all. No-one has cast iron fingers, and it is an
unfortunate fact that very often an injury or
amputation has to occur before a person sees the
light and becomes ever afterwards extremely
safety conscious.
Far too often the cause of an accident is not
directly attributable to electrical or mechanical
failure but to the human element, which is often
unpredictable.
9 V I G I L A N C E in ensuring the presence of an
effective guard is synonymous with intelligent
thinking and safe production planning. The
efficient tool setter can help by adhering to the
maxim that the right way is the safe way.
The hidden costs of accidents of every kind is
usually not appreciated by those not injured. The
victim alone bears the pain, isolation, loss of
income, incapacitation and frustration, and
industry loses his services into the bargain.
FOR ‘APATHY’ S U B S T I T U T E ‘ E T E R N AL
V I G I L A N C E ‘
YOU KNOW IT M A K E S S E N S E’
P. R. Cleal
—at work
The Industrial Society held a national conference
‘Youth at Work’ at the Royal Albert Hall last
November, and trainee secretary Sue Green and
second-year apprentice John Ryland went along
to see what it was all about.
Speakers included the Rt Hon Anthony Wedgwood
Benn, Len Murray, Assistant General Secretary of
the TUC, and John Casson, Associate Adviser to
the Industrial Society. But it seems that the only
one who managed to get his particular message
across was John Casson (Sybil Thorndike’s son)
whose subject, appropriately enough, was the one
of communication.
The aim of the organisers was to encourage young
people to contribute more to their own
development and to become more involved in
their work. Our youngsters’ candid comment on
the event was that there was too much talk and
not enough involvement of young people in the
conference itself.
Who takes his cat with him when he goes
shooting?
ANNOUNCING—
New Arrivals
Rebecca, a daughter for Brian Meredith (Internal
Transport), on October 22.
21st Birthdays
Susan Barnard (Design Office) on December 12.
Engagements
Jill Marshall (Data Processing Assembly) to
Robert Leach on December 8.
Ruth Mullens (Mail Room) to Edward Hughes
on December 18.
Denise Tovey (Accounts) to Stephen Worgan
(apprentice) on December 25.
Susan Meek (Accounts) to David Bower on
January 1.
Retirement
We wish George M. Sluman (labourer.
Remodelling) all the best for the future — he
retires at the end of January.
Lost #
Gold circlet ear-ring, mislaid somewhere between
3600 Department and the bus parking area.
Reward offered by Mrs D. Brooks, 3600
Assembly, Section 606.
11
ANY NEWS FOR V I S I O N?
If you have, then please —
• let your departmental correspondent
know,
• or leave it at either Gate House for
collection by me,
• or post it to me at Tree Tops, Plump Hill,
Mitcheldean,
• or ring me — it’s Drybrook 415.
Myrtle Fowler, Editor
LETTER
A record attendance — close on 100 people —
marked the first-ever extraordinary general meeting
held on November 29. The chief business was to
receive information regarding the firm’s policy,
and the main outcome was that long service and
all benefits will now start after an employee has
completed 15 years’ continuous service instead
of 12.
This month sees the retirement after 34 years’
service of John Morgan (Taffy to us), chargehand
in the Press & Sheet Metal Shop, Cinderford.
Taffy is one of the veterans who came to
Mitcheldean from Woodger Road and he has
played a prominent part in the life of the LSA, of
which he is a founder-member. His sons John and
Roy and his daughter-in-law Jean also work with
us. We shall be recording in due course his official
leave-taking — in the meantime he has our very
best wishes for the future.
Poppy Day
Poppy Day organiser for the Mitcheldean &
Abenhall district, Mr W. Pritchard, reports that
the total collection for 1 971 amounted to
£148 82. Of this £ 9 5 9 2 was collected at our
Plant, and he asks us to thank all those who
donated.
Universal Quality Involvement
‘I’ve a feeling. Bill, that “.?*.’. . . . inspector has even followed us down here to carry out his damned
oven temperature checks I’
12
Printed in England by Taylor, Young (Printers) Ltd.
