housing

[pamela 1944]

thanks dunlop ....I'll go and looksee that site

[Karen]

The Watkinson family lived at # 11a Fox Lane
.... it later became ...13 ...

Grandma Watkinson and Auntie Maude
(Maude Watkinson was a Leyland historian)
lived next door at # 15.

[MjO]

John, it was probably my fault that one, in describing someone just before, or entering their teenage years as 'aggressive'- not really an apt description for a lad. I cannot truthfully think of the names of the lads in the bunch, but none of the names you mention sound familiar to me at all, but then I left Leyland at about 15, so groups entering their later teens would change. But I can certainly remember the good nights at the Silcocks Fairs on the Rec; at the back of Towngate, listening usually, to the strains of Jimmy Jones 'Handyman' or Brenda Lees 'Sweet Nothins' and the Big Diesel Generators roaring away. It gave me a good laugh reading your account of Ians Blue Silk Jacket, and made me think of one of my choices ... I have looked at the Fox Lane School Photographs and recognise many faces provided by Avril, Frank and yourself. But it would have been good to have a name key also, is there any chance you guys can put names to the faces on your photos !?

I Didn't know you worked for Brian and Ron, long time since I saw Brian, he knew my father very well, and had a laugh with him a good number of years ago at Fourfields at Bamber Bridge about Leyland and Sandy Lane. Do you remember Albert Kenny or John Banks or possibly John Moore at Springfield? - I think the whole kit and caboodle of B&R has now gone, B&R, Taylec, Taylor Hi-Tech and B&R Engineering at Ackhurst Chorley, which I believe was the subject of a management buy out and later called NIS. There was much talk at the time about a multi-million pound villa in Marbella, I dont know whether or not you heard the same??

[rocketmanjohn]

I remember Bert Kenny very well, and I'm know Alan will. Bert interviewed me when I went to B&R's and was a formidable figure with bulgy eyes, the only question he asked me was "can you draw fast"? Being full of myself I replied "as fast as anyone you've got here", I got the job and then had to prove myself. Bert's bark was much worse than his bite and was really a nice guy, I remember that we had to ask him personally for a pay raise and I was always thankful I still had a job after the confrontation. He never refused me though and the experience was the best I could have had, it was hard work but great fun. I think Alan knows loads of good B&R stories, he writes better than me, maybe Malcomb Lamb Alan?
I never heard of a villa, but I know that Brian Taylor bought a Rolls Royce and lost loads of work because of it, Customers thought he must be ripping people off to be able to afford it. He did speak of getting a helicopter but went off the idea after the RR problems.
I'll put some names to pics later, it's getting late.
John

[MjO]

John, a very amusing post regarding Albert and the 'Fast Draw' almost sounded like a quote from an Eastwood Film - 'I'm faster than you guys will ever live to be' - Clint and the Gun, John and the Rotring - Well done for coming out of retirement to help out, I dont think I would ever consider doing such a thing, unless of course it was a life or death situation. My latter years in Engineering I simply hated and detested. I think the demise set in for me, when Accountants replaced Engineers at the helm of the Industrial Environment, and making changes that would effect the Industrial Landscape for generations to come, and who, to my mind have succeeded in undermining British Industry and bringing it to the brink of extinction, but at the end of the day, that might be what was intended.

Thanks for saying you will put names to the faces, it may help out quite a lot, as my two brain cells have been becoming increasingly warm with all the memory searching ... and if those burn out, all is lost ...

[Alan Marsden]

John, re B&R. T days, good times, hard work, long hours, high interest and tremendous variety., great group of people too ! I started there in 1960 after working in Weybridge Surrey and Strand Rd Preston.
I believe that both Ron and Brian have passed away, I wonder where Ken is these days, I last saw him in Hull !

[rocketmanjohn]

MjO, The 1955 photo is, as best as I can remember:
Back row, left to right
Peter Anderson, ? Deacon, Michael Pinder, John Lawton, Don't know, David Waring, Tommy Dimmock, Geoff Liptrot, Ian Lawrenson, Tony Mather, Jimmy Heald.

Middle row, left to right
Winston Platt, Alan Wayne, John Waddecar, Geoff Demack, John Jameson, Michael Ainsworth, Bruce Greenlaw, John Burrell, John Baker, David Parkinson.

Girls, left to right
Ann Bury, Don't know, Margaret Milloy, ? Rawcliffe, Kathleen Platt, Jean Damp, Kathleen ?, Alison Logan, Don't know, Jean Tyrer, Judith Moffat.

Seated left to right
Mabel Stackhouse, Don't know, Brenda ?

Can anyone fill in the blanks?
John

[MjO]

John, Thanks for the time and effort in the preparation of your response, I have sent you a mail that will expand on this ... It is Appreciated ...

[MjO]

Pam, I'm sorry we have appeared to have hi-jacked your Topic, and hope your are making headway in your property search ...

Regards ...