Return to 1970-1974

Vision 074

February 72 No 74 House Magazine of Rank Xerox Mitcheldean Plant
Sporting a personality as lively as his shirt. Dominic Frate from Xerox Corporation’s Advanced
h/lanufacturing Engineering group has been spending a few weeks with us, liaising with 4000 Assembly
Department on production matters. Said Manager Ralph Zimmermann The benefit we have gained from
his visit has been tremendous.’ Here he is having a close look at one of our machines with Assembly
Supervisors Kevin Horrobin (left) and Eric Knight. Dom finds us a friendly lot and loves what he has
seen of the country so far. There has been only one disappointing aspect of his visit— Eric has had no
success in teaching Dom to talk Forest I
DOUBLE THE MONEY
The total amount awarded to Mitcheldean Plant
employees for success in further education studies
during 1971 is almost twice that for the previous
year — £702 as compared with £439 — yet the
number of recipients is only slightly higher at 83
than the 1970 figure of 8 1 .
This is due partly to the fact that the amount of
the awards generally has been increased, but
mainly to a decision to double awards granted to
students who do not receive day release for their
studies.
Presenting some of the awards in the Social Centre
on January 10, General Manager Mr Peter Salmon
said that, in the development of Mitcheldean ‘we
have grown so fast that the training of sufficient
people to fulfil the opportunities which have
occurred has presented quite a problem.
‘We believe firmly as Management that there must
be a very much greater representation at middle
and higher management in future of people who
started their training within the Plant.
‘The number of these relative to the size of the
Plant is all too few and we are hoping that, with
the new training structures, there will be greater
opportunities for promotion from within.
‘We feel that in addition to the actual achievement,
whether it be from the technical or commercial
side, we would like you to have a token award in
the form of money, and this year we have decided
we should virtually double the amount which we
award. It can only be a token because what you
have achieved is a stepping-stone to further
achievement.’
Bob Taylor, here seen receiving his award from
Mr Salmon, joined us in 1968 as an assembly
worker. He was subsequently transferred to the
Drawing Office and is now a design engineer.
With them is Mr Frank Edwards, Technical
Training Co-ordinator, who introduced the
technical students.
years, and was recently appointed secretary to
Mr D. Mills, Manager, Quality Control, receives
her award from Mr Salmon. Her husband Brian
also works at the Plant, in Progress Department.
On the far right of the picture is Keith Laken.
Commercial Training Officer, who introduced the
commercial award winners.
Mr Salmon said he hoped that they would
continue their studies further — there were so
many opportunities for training at Mitcheldean.
Managers themselves spent a higher proportion of
their time in learning about new techniques than
those being managed might appreciate, he
pointed out. Training and re-training go on right
through one’s working life.’
This was echoed by the many departmental
managers who came along to the presentation.
Training & Development Manager Mr Peter
Grainger, who opened the proceedings, spoke of
the evolvement of a new framework for determining
financial awards which took account of the
increasing development on the commercial and
administrative side.
These awards now range from £2-i- to £20-i-
(doubled where there is no day release) and are in
addition to full reimbursement of direct fees and
50 per cent of the cost of necessary textbooks.
A vote of thanks to Mr Salmon and the
Mitcheldean Management Committee was
proposed by Mr Robin Berks of Pre-Production
Control, himself one of the award winners.
At times, he said, the money awarded was ‘the
only carrot that kept us going. It is gratefully
received and it has meant a lot to us. We
appreciate the interest you have taken ; the number
of managers who have turned up for the
presentation is really encouraging.’
Trainee Awards
The apprentice and trainee secretary awards are
being made at the usual annual dinner which will
be held on February 18 in the Social Centre.
Technical
‘A Level Economics — Lionel Jeffrey (Facilities
Planning).
Technical Certificate— Michael Davies (Design),
Peter Mercer (Design Engineering).
Institute of Work Study Technicians Certificate—
Colin Seddon (Work Study).
Institute of Work Study Practitioners—John
Sparkes, Tony Haynes (both Work Study).
HNC Course — Graham Gardner (Design),
Vernon Dancey (Development Laboratory).
Full Tech. Certificate — Keith Bradley, Bob Taylor,
John Whittington (all Design), Roger Trigg
(Tool Room).
Mr Salmon and (in the top picture) Mr Len
Peacock, Personnel Manager, are seen talking
with some of the award winners. Though it
might appear otherwise, the sexes’ were not
deliberately segregated at the present;: •
Commercial
Shorthand Ef Typing — Shorthand 60: Pam Turley
(Personnel) ; Shorthand 70: Ruth Sleeman, Ann
Watts (both Production Control) ; Shorthand 80:
Anne Bedney (Quality Control), Diane Douglas
(Design), Debbie Smith (Work Study) ; Shorthand
100: Sue Grosvenor (IDC) ; Typing, RSA I: Luciana
Marangon (Design) ; RSA II: Josie Malpass,
Jeanette Meek (both Production Control), Jane
Reed (Design), Mary Goode (Stationery), Pam
Turley; RSA III: Anne Bedney, Diane Douglas,
Sue Grosvenor, Debbie Smith ; UEIII: Doreen
Duberley (Central Records), Mary Goode, Vilma
Ruck (Central Records).
English O’ Level—Carole Dawson (Purchase),
Diane Douglas, Luciana Marangon.
Institute of Cost & Works Accountants (II) —
Mike Walker (Accounts).
Institute of Office Management Diploma — Robin
Berks, Ernie Evans (both Production Control).
Institute of Purchase & Supply (Final) — Terry
Braden (Purchase).
(Where the award is for several succeeding grades
of courses, only the highest grade has been given
here.)
Image Restored
The apprentices have managed to restore their
skittles image, recently tarnished by trainee
secretaries! On December 21 they met an all-male
team from Education & Training, assisted by
Personnel Manager Mr Len Peacock, at the
Bird-in-Hand, Minsterworth, for an eight-a-side
match.
Despite barracking by their opponents whose
secret weapons included wounding remarks like
Get yer ‘air cut, son’ and ‘Where’s yer overall ?’,
the apprentices managed to gain a gallant victory
by 30 pins. The evening was rounded off by a
game of ‘killer’ and by a sheer fluke, commonly
referred to as skill, Ernie Parsons emerged the
victor.
Perhaps Mr Peacock, instead of warning the
apprentices to ‘watch those girls’, should warn
Education & Training to ‘watch those apprentices’ !
9 Who reckons he knows all the answers in the
TV quiz programme ‘Sale of the Century’ but can’t
recall the names of those who perished on the
Titanic ?
3
A C R O S S
1 Holiday area between Runcorn
and Wallsend. (8)
7 Curse the quarryman’s aid ! (5)
8 Sleepy bovine housebreaker. (9)
9 Black and blue, but in the pink
of condition. (3)
10 Short test in the afternoon. (4)
11 Are such explorers up the pole?
(6)
13 Rev. goes round in a circle. (6)
14 A question of ownership — don’t
hurry. (6)
17 Service types, often without their
feet on the ground. (6)
18 Out of round ground in cricket
circles. (4)
20 Cor I Taken aback by a fab bird I
(3)
22 .-. (9)
23 East end of a spooky great lake.
(5)
24 Lists for blossoming tradesmen.
(8)
DOWN
1 Message, 600 ft. long to a
sailor. (5)
2 Let go the property — or shall
we stay ? (7)
3 Extra at 18 often. (4)
4 Reptilian end of 1 across. (6)
5 Avoid this — the Satyr’s in
charge! (5)
6 Betting on a press operation. (7)
7 My uncle’s nephew, could be. (7)
12 Is this chemical cheaper in
daytime? (7)
13 Cheap bag! (7)
1 2 3 4 • • 5 B 6
H B • • 7
8 • B B m m 9
10 11 B
m B • 12 • m B • B 13 14 15
B • B 16 • B B B 17 18 19
20 • 21 • m. B 22
23 • • • •
m. my. 24
by Paul Gregory
15 Anybody can see what the
answer is — it’s apparent. (7)
16 About the little dead cow —
show me. (6)
17 Painful tree-seed on your toe. (5)
19 City way out in front, from the
sound of it. (5)
21 Has engaging teeth, but doesn’t
bite. (4)
Solution on page 12
More Prizes
Four young people released by us to attend
courses during the 1970/71 session have been
awarded prizes by the West Gloucestershire College
of Further Education, Cinderford, and will receive
them at the presentation in the College Hall on
February 11.
They are: Trainee secretary Susan Stephens:
former trainee secretary Lynne Hooton (now
Personnel) : apprentice Brian Fowler, now doing
an HND course at Birmingham Polytechnic;
ex-apprentice Roger Trigg, now working in the
Tool Room; and ex-apprentice Brian Smith, now
in Reconditioning Operations, who also won the
South Wales Institute of Engineers’ Shield, awarded
annually to the Engineering student possessing
the best individual sessional examination results.
The Rank Xerox Ltd Cup, awarded by the College
to the group of students of local firms showing
best results for the year, went to the Albany
Engineering Company. We’re delighted — the cup
came to us for so many years it got quite
embarrassing !
4
^ Lend a pair of
^ ^ j j j ^ Sparkling Eyes
The hunt is on for the girl with the most beautiful
pair of eyes in Britain. They are wanted — still
attached to the girl, of course — by the British
Safety Council so that their owner can tour
industry and make personal appearances as part of
a campaign to reduce eye injuries at work.
The Council say that in factories alone there are an
estimated 250,000 eye injuries annually — many
of them minor but about one in 20 resulting in the
worker being off work for three days or more.
Some of these injuries may be caused by flying
swarf in a machine shop; they may include cases
of permanent damage to the eyes resulting from a
splash of some dangerous chemical — all because
advantage has not been taken of the protective
safeguards available or warning has gone
unheeded.
Over the whole of industry (for the Factories Acts
do not cover all workplaces) there are believed to
be 3,000 or more eye injuries of some kind every
working day.
Thousands of eye accidents also occur outside
industry, and it pays us to take care of what are
perhaps our most precious possessions whether
we are at work or at leisure.
Talking of leisure, Easter is our next official
holidaytime, and on Easter Monday, April 3,
several hundred finalists will go to London from
all over the country for the fifth successive ‘Miss
Beautiful Eyes’ contest organised by the Safety
Council.
The judges will include a Member of Parliament
and a famous disc jockey — one of the traditions
of the contest. Previous judges have included such
personalities as Diana Dors, Kenny Everett, Tony
Blackburn, Dave Lee Travis, Jimmy Young and
Norman Vaughan.
After the finals, the winner makes a whistle-stop
tour of British industry, visiting factories and
making television and radio appearances.
Our Plant’s Main Safety Committee, which is now
under the chairmanship of Mr Les Davies, would
like to see some of Mitcheldean’s eye-charmers
enter the competition. So if you’re equipped to
become an ambassadress for safety, then get in
touch first of all with our Safety Officer, Mr Roy
Steward of Personnel Department, who is secretary
of the Safety Committee. He will arrange for you
to have a photograph taken if you don’t already
have a suitable one.
This, together with brief personal details (your
name, address, age, job, hobbies — anything else
you would like to include), will be sent to the
contest organisers, the British Safety Council, at
the National Safety Centre in London.
The only qualifications for entry to the contest are
that entrants must be 16 years or over and must
not wear false eyelashes (normal eye make-up is
permitted).
Should a girl from Mitcheldean Plant be among
the finalists, the Company will bear the cost of
her journey to London on Easter Monday and will
grant the necessary leave should she become
‘Miss Beautiful Eyes’ for 1972.
The closing date for entries is March 1, 1972, so
don’t dither, all you beautiful eye owners —
contact Mr Steward not later than
Tuesday, February 15
Shield-winner Brian Smith, now fully qualified,
is one of the team of three service mechanics
in Reconditioning Operations who are responsible
for servicing and maintaining all Rank Xerox
copiers situated throughout the Plant, and also at
Cinderford and the IDC. Here he is seen
working (see ‘More Prizes’) on a 4000 machine.
5
GEARED FOR CHANGE
This time last year mammoth machines were seen
daily moving tons of earth in preparation for the
building of our biggest single project, the new
IDC Warehouse building.
Now it is about to become an operative part of
the Mitcheldean Plant and we commence
occupation this month.
The associated roadworks at Barton Corner and a
new gatehouse are also now complete. The new
office building on the old gasholder site is also
rapidly taking shape, although this is not due for
completion until later in the year.
These changes have required a comprehensive
review of the traffic routeing at the Mitcheldean
Plant and a new system has been devised which
will have the effect of considerably reducing the
amount of traffic through Mitcheldean village.
The new system, operative from February 7,
requires all vehicles to use either the Barton
Corner gate or the Bradley Court gate entrances to
the Plant according to their direction of approach.
All vehicles leaving the Plant will use the
appropriate gate according to their destination.
The Eastern Avenue, Brook Street and canteen
gate entrances are closed to all vehicular traffic.
Pedestrian access will, however, continue to be
The part of the new Warehouse building nearest
the camera will shortly be occupied by the first
section of the IDC to move back from Gloucester
(see page 8).
maintained at Eastern Avenue and the canteen
gate.
The new traffic routeing system is illustrated
opposite. The system also takes into account a
growing population at the Mitcheldean Plant
creating a further demand for car parking spaces,
and a larger influx of goods vehicles and visitors.
It is intended in the near future to complete new
car park facilities adjacent to the Warehouse
building. This will allow for re-allocation of
existing car parking spaces and relieve much of the
present internal congestion.
Consideration is being given to the use of zebrastyle
crossings for pedestrians, to minimize
potential hazards during the peak hours of traffic
movement, and it may be possible to provide a ‘bus
station, together with a lorry park, in the centre of
the site.
An important feature of the new system is that all
visitors to the site will be required to report to
either the Bradley Court or Barton Corner
gatehouses. Here records will be maintained, and
improved security arrangements will apply to all
such visitors.
Just a reminder — with new traffic routeing to
get used to, and an increasing number of vehicles
and pedestrians on our extensive site roadways,
it’s more important than ever to observe the speed
limits.
7
A NEW APPROACH
As we went to press, the new Barton Corner
gatehouse was about to be completed, but not
quite ready to have its photograph taken.
If you’ve looked down on it from above, you will
have seen the building is roughly H-shaped, the
centre section being the main reception centre.
Visitors will get their first impression of us in an
attractive room featuring comfortable easy chairs,
wall-to-wall carpeting, imaginative lighting, and
wide windows with panoramic views. Staff at a
reception desk within the room will attend to
enquiries and there will be adequate car parking
adjacent to the Gate House.
The south wing, facing Barton Corner itself,
houses Security Control. Built on a raised level, it
is designed to ensure that the police have
unobstructed vision 24 hours a day. The front
glass wall features tinted double glazing ; this will
reduce solar heat gain and glare. When the
interior lighting is switched on after dark, special
fittings will prevent reflection on the glass panes.
A sliding window at either side enables documents
to be passed from hand to hand and allows
verbal communication between police and drivers.
The electrically-operated barriers, similar to those
at the Gloucester Trading Estate, are controlled
from inside Security Control.
Located in the north-facing wing is the office of
the Chief Security Officer. This section also
houses a staff room with basic facilities for
cooking and washing, toilets, and an oil-fired
boiler serving the heating and hot water systems.
EAST ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
View to Barton Corner
IDC move to Mitcheldean
On January 31 the architects released Phase 1
of the IDC Building (165,000 sq. ft. of floor
space), thus heralding the return of the IDC back
from Gloucester Trading Estate.
We have coped with a number of moves in recent
years but this promises to outclass the lot — the
IDC has grown four times as big in operating
area since it settled at Gloucester four years ago.
The aim is of course to ensure that there is the
minimum hold-up in operation and a detailed
movement schedule has been worked out. In view
of the major road developments between
Mitcheldean and Gloucester, suitable times for the
movement of the 300 or so lorry loads have had
to be worked out w i th the police authorities. As
for the weather, fingers are being kept crossed.
Spares are the first section of the warehouse to be
affected. For the week commencing February 18
only emergency spares orders will be fulfilled
(stocks have been adjusted at Operating
Companies to tide them over the move
period); during this week racking, etc., w i l l be
taken down ready for the first actual move
starting Friday, February 25, and priority is being
given to the 4000 spares.
Up-to-the-minute storage and retrieval facilities
are being installed at Mitcheldean ; the servicing
of spares will be operative within seven days of
the move being started. By March 6, 82 per cent
of the locations are expected to be at Mitcheldean
and we should be in a position to supply normal
demands worldwide for 75 per cent of spare parts.
The remaining 25 per cent, which represents the
bulkier items, will take until March 24.
Phase 2 (machine storage and export packing)
follows at the end of March and despatch of
machines worldwide should continue uninterrupted
throughout the move.
Phase 3 (packing materials storage area) is fixed
for July 1, enabling us to centralise all our
packing materials at Mitcheldean.
Phase 1 will also see the release of the first floor
of the IDC office block which will be occupied by
divisional staff, while the ground floor, to be used
by IDC staff, will become available as part of
Phase 2.
LETTER
Joe Bennett, who has been with us for about
28 years, has been unable to work because of ill
health for a long period. While taking a course in
occupational therapy at Gloucester last year he
met a charming widow, Ethel Tomlinson. Their
friendship must have had some excellent
therapeutic effect on Joe for he has improved in
health, we are glad to report, and the couple were
married at Zion Chapel, Berry Hill, on January 8.
Present at the wedding were Mrs Tomlinson’s
three grown-up children and a bevy of grandchildren
— an instant family for Joe I Also there
to wish him every happiness were Doris Barker,
Sister Collins and Phyllis Wall, and we add our
good wishes to theirs.
Jack Merry, a chargehand in Internal Transport &
Materials Handling Department, retires this month
after being with us for over 1 3 years, and we wish
him all the best for the future.
HOME MARKET
Wanted
Motor-cycle scrambler, in good running order.
‘Phone A. G. Davis, Mechanised Stock Control,
406 int.
Presentation photograph album, preferably tooled
or embossed leather. Apply E. Knight, Building 40,
tel. 548 int.
For Sale
Dining-room suite, good condition, £18. ‘Phone
N. C. Andrews, 613 int.
One set of five wheels and tyres, Michelin,
suitable for Ford Escort— £15. Contact G. Evans,
Production Control, tel. 183 int.
Bunk beds, good condition, £10. Ring
Lydbrook 307.
Electrolux spin dryer, as new, nearest offer £18.
Contact H. Phillips, Tool Inspection, tel. 178 int.
Passap knitting machine, £17 or nearest offer.
Apply Dave Woodward, 660 Assembly line.
To Let
Holiday cottage in Snowdonia. Enquiries to
M. Hartley, Works Engineering, tel. 123 or 234 int.
Interested in Models?
No, not that sort — i t s model engines, aircraft,
boats, etc, we’re talking about. Anyone
interested in forming a model club is asked to
contact Mike Meredith (Pre-Production Control),
tel. 697 int.
New Arrivals
Rosalind Anne Louise, a daughter for Ken
Hemming (Design D.O.), on November 29.
Jacquelyn, a daughter for Peter Sperring (Data
Processing) and his wife Lynne (formerly
secretary to T. J. Quartermaine, Pre-Production
Control Manager), on October 18.
Sarah Louise, a daughter for Brian James (Design
D.O.), on December 15.
Julie Anne, a daughter for Ken Williams (Design
D.O.), on December 19.
Annabel Louise, a daughter for Jim Corbett (Data
Processing), on December 19.
Joanna Louise, a daughter for Richard Carter
(Design D.O.), on January 4.
Lisa Joanne, a daughter for Mary Williams
(formerly Reception, RX Cinderford) and Bernard
Williams (4000 Dept.), on January 5.
Retiring
Mrs Ruth Morgan (Spares Assembly), Mrs Kaye
Starkie (Remodelling), and Jack Hurst (Machine
Shop Inspection), all in February; also Percy
Meager (Export Packing, IDC), and Walter Seaborn
(Spares & Sub-assembly), who retired in
November and December respectively. They have
our best wishes for the future.
Wedding Anniversary
Congratulations to Donald Williams (labourer,
3600 Dept.) and his wife Beat (3600 Assembly)
who celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on
January 9.
F r a n c i s J . Pick
We regret to have to record the death on
January 9 of Francis J. Pick (Heat Treatment) at
the age of 53. He had been with us since 1 968.
9
CLUB
The Big Dance Scene
As reported in earlier issues, the Sports & Social
Club intend to run more big dances during 1 972.
The first of these is destined for March 24 and
features Sid Phillips (no relation of Henry I) and
his band, and supporting group Guinevere once
again. The venue is the Social Centre, Mitcheldean
Plant, and the price of tickets will be £1.
As with the annual dance, the demand for tickets
will probably outstrip the supply, so the same
restriction on ticket allocation will have to be
imposed, we’re afraid. But don’t worry, application
forms for tickets will be inserted in the next issue
of VISION due early in March.
President’s Niglit
It was President’s Night for the Cine &
Photographic Club on Wednesday, January 19,
and in order to honour his promise to attend,
president Mr Derek Portman travelled from London
by train to Swindon, doing a quick dash on to
Mitcheldean by car.
The main purpose of the evening was to see the
slides taken by Mr Portman while holidaying with
his wife and three sons in Ibiza, and these,
together with his entertaining commentary, were
much appreciated. He in turn was able to see
something of what the club had achieved in their
film ‘The Independent Operator’.
The previous evening the club visited their Newent
counterparts for a combined cine and slide battle.
Although highest marks for slides were awarded
to club member Valerie Jordan, who also won the
raffle, Newent emerged winners of this section ;
however, we won the cine section so everyone
was happy to call it a draw.
10
The Dancers
•.111 . ijur last report on the Ballroom Dancing
Club some of the members have been busy
collecting further honours.
Eileen Newman (4000 Dept.) and husband Roland
won two seconds in the beginners class and two
thirds in the novices and beginners sections in a
competition held at the Cotswold Ballroom,
Stroud, recently. They reached the finals stage in
every one of the classes.
Mary Meek (Central Records) and husband Ken
have now obtained their bronze medal
(commended standard), while club chairman
Ira Griffin (PED) reports that he and his wife Esme
have acquired a further medal each. Attending the
presentation of awards at the Barbara Pearce
School of Dancing, they took part in a competition
dance for silver and gold grades and came second,
thus beating the gold standard you might say I
The main business of the club meeting on
January 7 was the arranging of their first dance on
February 4 in the Social Centre with the George
Graham Band playing, and plans for a further
dance in the autumn.
Endeavours are being made to purchase pendants
for the ladies and coat badges for the men to show
they are members of the Dancing Club.
It is hoped that, if enough people are interested,
a dance tutor may be engaged to run a class each
Friday evening for the first hour (approx.
7.30—8.30 pm). Would anyone interested please
contact Gordon Davies (ext. 741) or Ira Griffin
(ext. 332).
Ira Griffin has been re-elected chairman; Gordon
Davies (Production Control) is secretary and
Eileen Newman treasurer. Mary Meek, Mary Hale
(Central Records), Sadie Scott (914 Assembly),
Joe Hamblin (Production Control), Sid Palmer
(PED) and Maurice Trigg (660 Stores) make up
the committee
Club chairman Doris Barker tries out the
automatic camera with which Mr Portman took his
shots. Behind the exotic-looking projector and
record playback equipment (loaned by works
photographer Jack Seal) are Valerie Jordan and
(left) Mrs Arthur Mason, wife of the club
vice-president. Secretary Robin Berks is on the
far right.
Table Tennis
The Rank’s team in the Lydney League has been
commandeered by an enthusiastic apprentice
contingent. As this is their first taste of a senior
league, their halfway position is extremely
creditable.
The old stagers joined battle in the league
tournament, the sole Rank survivors being
Stewart Jones, Ken Townsend, Ted Wenderlish in
YodellinfT Torkshireman
Yorkshireman Andy Hardy, 3600 Stores
chargehand, gets a kick out of making people
laugh. He also picks up quite a f ew pieces of
silver. Those two trophies he’s holding bring his
present collection up to seven silver cups, and
Talent Scouts
It was to be just a social evening for the parents of
the cubs and scouts of the newly formed Aston
Ingham group, with a modest show explaining
what scouting is all about.
But the whole thing snowballed, scout leader
Peter Watson of Tool Control told us. He went
round ‘talent scouting’, found other groups eager
to join in, and ended up with quite a Gang Show.
One of the most successful of these was a ‘This
is your Life’ surprise item, featuring a local retired
schoolmaster, Fred Hughes. Fred, who used to be
head of Mitcheldean’s Plump Hill school, is a
great naturalist and animal lover. So it is hardly
surprising that, when this item came to an end,
there were something like 14 creatures on stage —
the singles (the doubles to be played) ; Bob
Toomer was knocked out by the Forest star,
G. Bonser. Stewart and Ted are drawn to play
each other in the next round. The anticipation of
this match is being sharpened by the intervening
verbal battle !
There is a possibility of holding a Rank Handicap
Tournament with realistic prizes (whisky, etc.).
Would anyone interested contact S. R. Jones
(PED), or E. Wenderlish (Tool Control).
that’s not counting several he’s held for limited
periods, quite apart from numerous money prizes.
The larger of the two cups he won on December 12
at Gloucester City Stadium where his line of
comedy, songs and yodelling won him first place
in a talent contest. The smaller one is a replica of
the cup he won at Butlin’s, Bognor Regis, last
summer.
Co-chairman of the Variety Club, Andy comes
from a very entertaining family. His father did
variety club work for 25 years and was a yodeller
too. His mother is also an entertainer who has
risen to some height.
We refer to the occasion last year when, to
celebrate the birth of her first great grandchild,
she jumped 60ft in the air, assisted by six kites,
each 17ft high I The ‘aircraft’ had been constructed
by the child’s father, Andy’s nephew. For this feat
she was chosen by comedian Charlie Chester to
receive one of the annual awards he makes to
people who have inspired or amused him during
the year. She was at the gala presentation
broadcast on Radio 2 on New Year’s Eve and also
appeared on television the same evening.
‘And I’ve been trying for 25 years to get on TV or
radio,’ says Andy wistfully I
a cat, dog, puppies, rabbit, canary, not to mention
a donkey which couldn’t quite make the stage.
Assisting Peter with the show were three of his
colleagues in PED. Standards engineer Jeff
McCoy, who has been associated with the scout
movement for some 30 years, went along to help
with the singing and finished by acting as MC.
Les Humphries, Senior Production Engineer, did
wonders at the piano — and as ‘Satchmo’ I
Colin Lees of Tool Design provided the aforesaid
animals — all of which belonged to him. They
were brought to the hall in Colin’s car with
Ferdinand the five-year-old donkey trotting
behind. But after his theatrical experience,
Ferdinand got all starry-eyed and persisted in
stopping to gaze heavenwards, so Colin had to
ride him back home.
11
THE TOAST WAS ‘TAFFY’
Taffy tells a good one,
obviously appreciated by
fellow veterans Ken Bunn, now
retired, and Bob Baker.
January 28 saw the retirement after 35 years’
service of that cheery, rotund Welshman
christened Jenkin Morgan but known to us
as Taffy ever since we can remember.
To mark the occasion, his colleagues in
manufacturing supervision and inspection gave
him a farewell dinner at the White Hart, Cinderford.
on January 21 when he was presented with an
electric power drill by Bob Baker, on behalf of his
colleagues.
Taffy’s is truly one of Mitcheldean’s ’employee
families’ — his wife Lillian works in Spares &
Sub-assembly, his t w o sons Roy and John work
at Cinderford and the IDC Gloucester
respectively, his daughter-in-law Jean is in
Purchase Department, and both his daughters
worked with us at some time.
Those who can reminisce about old BAF days
recall that Taffy joined the sheet metal department
at Woodger Road in 1937 and transferred to
Mitcheldean works in 1940. Those were days of
acute shortages, and many of his friends had
Taffy to thank for a weekend joint of pork (he was
a spare-time pig breeder). A foreman of Press &
Sheet Metal Shop for the past 15 years, he
transferred to Cinderford works with his section
in February 1971 and his last 3 years have been
spent supervising the night shift.
Taffy was a noted darts player in his time and it
was a brave man who would challenge him to a
match. A founder member of the LSA, he always
helped with the annual sports day and in recent
years has been a regular time-keeper for the
14-mile road race.
Taffy was also well known as a skittler, so it was
appropriate that the farewell dinner should include
a KO skittles match. Only this time it was Bob
Baker who walked off with the kitty !
A sing-song with a strong Welsh accent ended a
highly enjoyable evening.
CROSSWORD S O L U T I ON
A C R O S S : 1 — Cornwall. 7 — Blast. DOWN: 1 ~ Cable. 2—Release. 3 — Wide.
8—Bulldozer. 9 —Ink. 10 —Exam. 4 — Lizard. 5—Panic. 6 —Staking. 7 — Brother.
11—Arctic. 13 —Cleric. 14—Belong. 12 —Nitrate. 13 —Carrier. 15 —Obvious.
17 —Airmen. 18 —Oval. 20—Roc. 16—Reveal. 17 —Acorn. 19—Leeds.
22 —Therefore. 23 — Eerie. 24 — Florists. 21 — Gear.
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 41 5.
Myrtle Fowler, Editor
12
Printed in England by Taylor, Young (Printers) Ltd.