Can anyone tell me the status of Davy United at Darnall. I worked for the Instument subsidiary for a while when it was known as Davy Ashmore

Hiya Buck, Davy have had a lot of changes and none of them for the better. I went down Prince of Wales road a few weeks ago and hte main office block is empty and To Let signs are stuck to it.

Davy Ashmore were taken over by Kaverner Engineering (Dutch?),
they had financial problems and abandoned Darnall. The building is now to let but I don't know if anyone is renting it yet.

Incidentally the sports club is still going.

I joined Kvaerner Davy as they were then in 1996, in 1999 the firm in Darnall was split, Manufacturing stayed there and Equipment Design and Supply were bought by VAIUK, the UK branch of Austrian VATECH.

The large office building was left empty when VAIUK moved to Sheffield Airport Business Park.

As far as I know it's still empty, and manufacturing still work out of the huge shop in the back.

I worked for VAIUK until 2003 at the airport.

The Darnall site is huge, you don't realise unless you walk round it. Has it's own railway and the manufacturing place is massive.

The big castings coming out of there used to really impress me!

Oh, and try the Guinness in the Sports Club, used to be great!

I went down there not long ago and it was just going dark,there`s obviously been some sort of work done on the outside of the building as it looks clean and more modern but it`s so long since i last saw it i can`t pick out exactly what`s been done. I couldn`t tell if it was occupied or not, there were sort of night lights on in the offices on one floor and the front of the building (as you drive down prince of wales road) has a purply colour light shining upwards illuminating the wall right up to the top, it looks rather impressive.
I remember it being called davy united, davy lowey and davy mckee.It has had lots of names before that like davy brothers and davy roberts etc.

The main office building on the front of POW Road was refitted and turned into a "call centre & office opportunity".

Aprroximately 8 months after completion, its still empty :|

dial, I remember going to the Christmas parties at the club quite a few years ago ... my dad worked at Davy Roll , & I worked at McKee from 1980 - 1992 ....... seems a shame the place has gone downhill ....

A lot of my family used to work for Davys from when it was Davy Utd or perhaps before. Here are a few. George Burford[my grandad], Ron Burford[my grt uncle], George Albert Burford[my dad] and John Burford[my uncle] My dad worked there until just before they changed hands and took redundancy. Every time I come to visit him I think of the open days I used to attend with him when I was a kid and what a shame it is that it is no longer Davys. I still have a few pictures from when he was there including a works magazine picture when he was an apprentice some where.

I went for an interview at Davy United in 1959. (All our yesterdays!).
I believe it was for an apprentice engineering job, even so I didn't get it and landed an apprentice electrician job at Spear and Jacksons on Saville Street.

I started work for VAI 4 months ago. I love it but everyone still refers to 'the good ol' Davy years' Alot still call it Davy. It was very confusing whenI first started.

i went to infant/junior school with a lad who's dad worked there (davy united) i always thought he was a footballer:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: true story btw and the lad in question actually did end up being a footballer..how spooky's that then

I left VAI a while ago. I can still remember the comments made by two old fellas in Darnall when they walked past just after one of the name changes:

"Kvaerner Metals???"

"Arrr, that's what they call Davys now!"

"Kvaerner Metals? Sounds like a bloody scrap merchants!"

I was sorry to hear of the demise of Davy United. Like many of the great steel related firms of Sheffield to be proud of. Davy was a good employer and took care of its workers. Over here we are seeing our steel industry going away in Pittsburgh and Bethlehem to the far east. I wonder how this country would fare in the event of a new Pearl Harbor. It would not be ready to arm the world as it was then.

Originally posted by pressy
dial, I remember going to the Christmas parties at the club quite a few years ago ... my dad worked at Davy Roll , & I worked at McKee from 1980 - 1992 ....... seems a shame the place has gone downhill ....
I remember this too from when i was younger, always went to the christmas parties and i remember one year when we actually went on a coach trip to a circus somewhere, that was when i found out that someone i was at school with also had family who worked there.

Originally posted by Gleighton
A lot of my family used to work for Davys from when it was Davy Utd or perhaps before. Here are a few. George Burford[my grandad], Ron Burford[my grt uncle], George Albert Burford[my dad] and John Burford[my uncle] My dad worked there until just before they changed hands and took redundancy. Every time I come to visit him I think of the open days I used to attend with him when I was a kid and what a shame it is that it is no longer Davys. I still have a few pictures from when he was there including a works magazine picture when he was an apprentice some where.

know your dad george and uncle john from davys i am still there but not as good as used to be good old days then

Originally posted by Gleighton
A lot of my family used to work for Davys from when it was Davy Utd or perhaps before. Here are a few. George Burford[my grandad], Ron Burford[my grt uncle], George Albert Burford[my dad] and John Burford[my uncle] My dad worked there until just before they changed hands and took redundancy. Every time I come to visit him I think of the open days I used to attend with him when I was a kid and what a shame it is that it is no longer Davys. I still have a few pictures from when he was there including a works magazine picture when he was an apprentice some where.

My dad thomas hodkin was a truckie for davy uniteds way back
from i think the 1950's.My uncle bernard hodkin also worked there in an office i think, he was a sick man with heart problems & he lived on the littledale estate.
cheers shawn in west oz.

Hi, tonyred whats your name i'll let my Dad know.He took redundancy as my Mum was bad with Alzheiemers which really took it's toll, so Dad looked after her at home so the money was a god send really. Mum died last year so Dad's spending a lot of his time at Skeggy.He will probably run into more people from Sheffield there anyway.

I would never have believed, when I left Davy and Sheffield, to seek my fortune in the new world. That was back in 1968, and the company was thriving with great working conditions and benefits. Many of the customers we served have probably gone too. English Steel corp, Appleby Frodingham at Scunthorpe, Steel comany of Wales, and maybe Bethlehem and US Steel. Steel Company of Canada at Hamilton, Ontario looks to be doing OK. I wonder what would happen if we ever went to war with Asia, because they seem to have the industry locked up. I got out of steel and worked with the Paper industry instead, but that has its ups and downs.

Originally posted by Gleighton
Hi, tonyred whats your name i'll let my Dad know.He took redundancy as my Mum was bad with Alzheiemers which really took it's toll, so Dad looked after her at home so the money was a god send really. Mum died last year so Dad's spending a lot of his time at Skeggy.He will probably run into more people from Sheffield there anyway.
hi name is tony harrison,slinger in 5 bay when your dad was there,have ginger hair he may remember me

Tonyred ...... how long you worked there??? I remember a Tony (slinger) from my days in the NFS (upto 1985) then I moved into the powder metals in the Instuments building.

Shaun

I worked there for 3 and a bit years as a computer programmer when it was Davy United. A nice friendly place, very highly thought of at that time. There are some former employees listed on the FriendsReunited website but no-one that I knew.

All very interesting, anyone else know anything?

A lot of my family used to work for Davys from when it was Davy Utd or perhaps before. Here are a few. George Burford[my grandad], Ron Burford[my grt uncle], George Albert Burford[my dad] and John Burford[my uncle] My dad worked there until just before they changed hands and took redundancy. Every time I come to visit him I think of the open days I used to attend with him when I was a kid and what a shame it is that it is no longer Davys. I still have a few pictures from when he was there including a works magazine picture when he was an apprentice some where.

Hi,

I knew a George Burford at Davy's but it goes back over 50 years ago: which one might it be? I started in the apprentice training shop at Davy's in 1952. That's where we met. We were both part of a group of eight apprentice fitters. Some of the names were: Peter Moss, Ken Littlewood, John Lloyd, Jim Hydes. Making up the rest of the group were George, a lad called Brian from Swallownest, a Peter from Southey Green, and of course, me.

After the shop training, the George I knew went into the main fitting shop (6 bay) and I went into the light fitting shop (2 bay). We would see one another around the works but we never worked together again after our time in the training shop. After a year in 2 bay, I spent the next four years moving around various departments and ended up in the engineering office. I left Davy's in 1965.

Small world.

When I was a kid living at Attercliffe I was always told Davy used to build railway carriages. Is this true or false? I remember when I first came to Manchester there was a pastic extrusion firm I used to visit and all their machines were Davy United. They must have been good. They kept going day and night! How in hell could a firm like that disappear!

When I was a kid living at Attercliffe I was always told Davy used to build railway carriages. Is this true or false? I remember when I first came to Manchester there was a pastic extrusion firm I used to visit and all their machines were Davy United. They must have been good. They kept going day and night! How in hell could a firm like that disappear!


Hi Peterw,

Davy's did make presses from time-to-time but usually for steel forging. They may have got into presses for other materials after I left.

In addition to Davy's on PoW Road, there was another works in Darnall called called "Craven's": Craven Carriage and Wagon Works to give it its correct title. They made rolling stock for railways, much of it for export. I remember riding in one of their carriages about 30 years ago on the Central Railway of Peru. It had been a fine piece of equipmentwhen built but was in sad shape by the time I saw it.

In later years, Cravens also manufactured plastic moulding machines. I haven't been down Staniforth road in years so don't know if they are still in business.

hi name is tony harrison,slinger in 5 bay when your dad was there,have ginger hair he may remember me
HI TONY
IS IT TRUE THAT ON A QUIET NIGHT AT CHRISTMAS TIME YOU CAN
STILL HEAR CLIFF PLAYING CAROLs ON HIS TRUMPET ON TOP OF HIS CRANE

That could be my Dad he started there when he was about 14. Did his national service in Warwickshire but Davy's held his job for him[how many companies would do that nowadays?] met my Mum & brought her back & stayed with Davys until the bitter end.My Grandad was also a George Burford but everybody called him JUD.
Hi,

I knew a George Burford at Davy's but it goes back over 50 years ago: which one might it be? I started in the apprentice training shop at Davy's in 1952. That's where we met. We were both part of a group of eight apprentice fitters. Some of the names were: Peter Moss, Ken Littlewood, John Lloyd, Jim Hydes. Making up the rest of the group were George, a lad called Brian from Swallownest, a Peter from Southey Green, and of course, me.

After the shop training, the George I knew went into the main fitting shop (6 bay) and I went into the light fitting shop (2 bay). We would see one another around the works but we never worked together again after our time in the training shop. After a year in 2 bay, I spent the next four years moving around various departments and ended up in the engineering office. I left Davy's in 1965.

Small world.

brilliant thread - i've always had a strong interest in the steel industry although from outside as it were, and in my job i actually got to visit PoW road works about a month ago, so it was a bit like meeting a hero for a saddo like me :loopy:

coincidentally i also managed to "salvage" a davy-united cast nameplate about 18" x 8" from somewhere a while back (cannot say where might get into trouble!) can anyone tell me what colours it might have been originally,
it was from a slabbing (large rolling) mill? :cool:

also, without wanting to seem ghoulish, does anyone have any similar items or memorabilia from davy, davy-united, davy-loewy, davy mckee etc which they might want to get rid of? this is pureley personal and not for selling on or anything

I have a pewter tankard we each were given in 1968 to mark Davy-United being awarded the Queen's Award for Industry. - I don't think I'm wanting to get rid of it though.

According to the DavyMarkham website, the Darnall manufacturing facility is still active, there are some pictures of the machine shops, etc.
When I first went to the place in 1989, to have some large fabrications machined, it was called Davy McKee and by the time I last went there it had become Kvaerner - that was in April 1998. Just before that Markham's (Chesterfield) had wound up and the last time I went in there, nearly all the machine tools had been removed. It is a sad sight to see these places closing.

Dave

yes dave they are still working and fairly busy (not compared with their heyday of course) with various stuff when i was in there

by the way i'm only about 15 miles from you - in the right direction (southwest that is!) :)

I remember as a kid living on the Arbourthorne in the late 1950s Davy United used to have a Gala Day every summer, with many attractions & sideshows, at their sports ground on Gleadless Road. This later became the site of the Central Technical School, which became Ashleigh School, and has recently been developed as a private housing estate.

Anyone else remember those Gala Days?

Also, does anyone remember the Works Convener of Davys from the early 1970s, a bloke by the name of Eddie Keys. I didn't work there, but I knew him through the Union and found him to be a nice, sensible bloke.

Andy, when were you last in Davy's? In my job I used to visit a lot of heavy machine shops and, to me, Davy's was always interesting. I've got a great photo taken from the crane walkway, up in the roof of one of the bays, but on this forum it appears that I've got to have a minimum of 15 posts before using URL links...

BTW, are you in or near Huntingdon?

Dave

Davy-United is one of the workplaces listed on FriendsReunited. There are about 30 people listed, whom people reading this thread may remember and may like to contact.

I met a woman today on the beach in Wollongong [Australia] originally from Sheffield,now Chesterfield, her husband is out here organising building of a new mill at the Port Kembla Steelworks For Davy United, I think is name is John ? she has come with him and having a bit of a holiday whilst he is working. My cousin, John Wallace worked for them some years ago, mind you I only met him once, that was 60 years ago.

Hi there, very interesting forum!!!
I also knew George, I'm one of thse mentioned amongst those names, Brian from Swallownest was probably Brian Taylor (spike) Peter was Peter Marsden.
In the training school '' Supervised'' By Charlie Warren, the other instructors were, Bill Gregory (fabricating) Frank Biddulph (paternmaking) Wilf Thornton(machining) Frank Bellamy (draughting)
I also went into 6bay about the same time as George along with Ken Littlewood, he was still there when I left Xmas 2002

Hi,

I knew a George Burford at Davy's but it goes back over 50 years ago: which one might it be? I started in the apprentice training shop at Davy's in 1952. That's where we met. We were both part of a group of eight apprentice fitters. Some of the names were: Peter Moss, Ken Littlewood, John Lloyd, Jim Hydes. Making up the rest of the group were George, a lad called Brian from Swallownest, a Peter from Southey Green, and of course, me.

After the shop training, the George I knew went into the main fitting shop (6 bay) and I went into the light fitting shop (2 bay). We would see one another around the works but we never worked together again after our time in the training shop. After a year in 2 bay, I spent the next four years moving around various departments and ended up in the engineering office. I left Davy's in 1965.

Small world.

Hi there, very interesting forum!!!
I also knew George, I'm one of thse mentioned amongst those names, Brian from Swallownest was probably Brian Taylor (spike) Peter was Peter Marsden.
In the training school '' Supervised'' By Charlie Warren, the other instructors were, Bill Gregory (fabricating) Frank Biddulph (paternmaking) Wilf Thornton(machining) Frank Bellamy (draughting)
I also went into 6bay about the same time as George along with Ken Littlewood, he was still there when I left Xmas 2002

Hi Peter,

Good to hear you are still alive and kicking. its been a long time. How is the weather there in Portugal? I'm sure it's better than Canada right now. I tried sending you a PM but it was rejected. Don't know were the problem was: your end or mine.

Regards

Hi there falls.
I'm new to this try again
Regards

Andy, when were you last in Davy's? In my job I used to visit a lot of heavy machine shops and, to me, Davy's was always interesting. I've got a great photo taken from the crane walkway, up in the roof of one of the bays, but on this forum it appears that I've got to have a minimum of 15 posts before using URL links...

BTW, are you in or near Huntingdon?

Dave


hi dave, sorry been offline for almost a week, i was last in there end of february this year and as i say quite a bit going on, at least in bay 6 :)
i know they'd taken something very big out early in feb. but not sure what

yes mate i'm in huntingdon

Forgemasters supply them with rough machined mill housings. One went to Davy's earlier this year. There's another at Forgemasters now which will be going up soon, I was working on it this week.

There was a large casting heading from Forgemasters probably to Davys last night, it was at the roundabout at Broughton Lane at around 19.30.

Always remember the fish at the bottom of the stairs in the sports club, the snooker room, cricket pitch, and the kids Xmas parties. Happy times. Would love to go back, just to see if the fish are still there!

I remember the family sports days - I won the fancy dress a couple of times. Also remember the wonderful Christmas displays in the drawing office, including the Daleks.

Does anyone remember John/Jack Cooper (foundry/drawing office/estimating) or Mabel Hunt (stationery stores)?

Also wondering if anyone knows where Roy Broughton is these days?

My Grandad (Dennis Hennell) and dad (David Hennell) both worked for Davy. Dad started as an apprentice and spent best part of his working life with them in Darnell, Bournemouth and Korea. He was MD of a design company called Thompson Assoc. which i still believe operate from Prince of Wales Road.

hi name is tony harrison,slinger in 5 bay when your dad was there,have ginger hair he may remember me

My dad used to work for Davy's (low ,united, and mckee's)his name was Jack Briggs he may have worked with you, cos he was a crane driver there.

My Grandad (Dennis Hennell) and dad (David Hennell) both worked for Davy. Dad started as an apprentice and spent best part of his working life with them in Darnell, Bournemouth and Korea. He was MD of a design company called Thompson Assoc. which i still believe operate from Prince of Wales Road.

I knew your grandfather back in 1954/55. We worked togther in the gauge room. Then he went to work in Davy Instrument, I think and I ended up in the drawing office. Didn't he live in Swallownest and have a Bond three wheel car.

Regards

Anyone remember Ron Marsden, a draughtsman there.

My used to work for Davy's (lowey ,united, and mckee's)his name was Jack Briggs he may have worked with you, cos he was a crane driver there.
Hi Tony,
No doubt he would have, Dad never forgot a face unfortunately he passed away last year. I do have memories of the legendary christmas parties though as a kid !! and im sure at some point i may have even been into the drawing office too.

regards

Dan

Anyone remember Ron Marsden, a draughtsman there.

Nice chap. His nickname was 'dog' as he allways seemed to have a barking cough.

Anyone remember Ron Marsden, a draughtsman there.

I worked at Davy for over 30 years in various engineering departments, and am pleased to say that I worked with Ron on many occasions. A gentleman of the first order. Excellent, meticulous, always very helpful to others and an extremely reliable draughtsman.
A good friend and work colleague.

I didn't even know he had a nickname !! I never heard it.

GLOS

Anyone remember Ron Marsden, a draughtsman there.

Hi,

I remember Ron Marsden when he was office boy in the purchasing at Park Iron Works (January to October, 1952). I was the same lowly rank in the Cost Office.

Then we went throught the apprenticeship program and ended up on the same squad (Jack Wilford's) in the EDO. Don't know what happended to Ron after that. I lost track after National Service.

Regards

Hi,

I remember Ron Marsden when he was office boy in the purchasing at Park Iron Works (January to October, 1952). I was the same lowly rank in the Cost Office.

Then we went throught the apprenticeship program and ended up on the same squad (Jack Wilford's) in the EDO. Don't know what happended to Ron after that. I lost track after National Service.

Regards

Hi 'Falls',
Ron was obviously a 'sticker'. I left in 1998 and as I remember he was still around - maybe about to retire. After that I don't know.
I started at Darnall in 1962 ( 250 in main EDO ) and knew Jack Wilford very well ! Always gave us all a song ( carols ), or three. at Christmas, especially when he had had a drink or two. He was a very good singer though. As I remember it, he stayed through to retirement, although I think he was quite ill.

GLOS

Hi,

I remember Ron Marsden when he was office boy in the purchasing at Park Iron Works (January to October, 1952). I was the same lowly rank in the Cost Office.

Then we went throught the apprenticeship program and ended up on the same squad (Jack Wilford's) in the EDO. Don't know what happended to Ron after that. I lost track after National Service.

Regards

Hi 'Falls',
Ron was obviously a 'sticker'. I left in 1998 and as I remember he was still around - maybe about to retire. After that I don't know.
I started at Darnall in 1962 ( 250 in main EDO ) and knew Jack Wilford very well ! Always gave us all a song ( carols ), or three. at Christmas, especially when he had had a drink or two. He was a very good singer though. As I remenber it, he stayed through to retirement.

GLOS

Hi 'Falls',
Ron was obviously a 'sticker'. I left in 1998 and as I remember he was still around - maybe about to retire. After that I don't know.
I started at Darnall in 1962 ( 250 in main EDO ) and knew Jack Wilford very well ! Always gave us all a song ( carols ), or three. at Christmas, especially when he had had a drink or two. He was a very good singer though. As I remenber it, he stayed through to retirement.

GLOS

You must have been in the EDO when I was there. Ron and I were with Jack Wilford but it was really a section then. I was sorry to hear of Jack's passing the other year.

Ron and I started off in what was know as the Canteen DO in October 1957. Then we were the first section to move into what was then the new building just before Christmas that year.

Here are some names for you:

Jack was the section leader and the rest of us comprised of:

Don Baxter, Keith Sheppard, Eric Swift, Harold Dugdill, Eric Woodhead, Ron and myself. Then Ron went for NS (I think) and was replaced by Alan Ryalls.

As a section we usually worked for Jim Allsop and George Vaughan.

As for the Squads, these came in, I think, 1963. That was when Cliff Sturdy took over and the good Doctor Simms moved-on, replacing Bronowski at the NCB research. You must remember Dr. Simms.

All a long time ago

Regards

I worked at Davy for over 30 years in various engineering departments, and am pleased to say that I worked with Ron on many occasions. A gentleman of the first order. Excellent, meticulous, always very helpful to others and an extremely reliable draughtsman.
A good friend and work colleague.

I didn't even know he had a nickname !! I never heard it.

GLOS

Apologies! Must have the wrong Marsden. This one worked on hydraulics in the DO. I remember your Ron Marsden & fully agree with your comments.

Apologies! Must have the wrong Marsden. This one worked on hydraulics in the DO. I remember your Ron Marsden & fully agree with your comments.

Hi mikep57,
You are thinking of Maurice Marsden. I was on the hydraulics section originally
myself, when, along with the lubrication section it came under Eric Stead.
Maurice joined slightly after me, and several years later I think that he went into teaching.

GLOS

You must have been in the EDO when I was there. Ron and I were with Jack Wilford but it was really a section then. I was sorry to hear of Jack's passing the other year.

Ron and I started off in what was know as the Canteen DO in October 1957. Then we were the first section to move into what was then the new building just before Christmas that year.

Here are some names for you:

Jack was the section leader and the rest of us comprised of:

Don Baxter, Keith Sheppard, Eric Swift, Harold Dugdill, Eric Woodhead, Ron and myself. Then Ron went for NS (I think) and was replaced by Alan Ryalls.

As a section we usually worked for Jim Allsop and George Vaughan.

As for the Squads, these came in, I think, 1963. That was when Cliff Sturdy took over and the good Doctor Simms moved-on, replacing Bronowski at the NCB research. You must remember Dr. Simms.

All a long time ago

Regards

Yes I remember 'Doc' Simms. I did a special job for him, Bob Gronbech and Bela Bathory.
I knew and worked with all the people you have mentioned. I worked on the hydraulics section under Maurice Walker, with Keith Burkhill, Roy Shearstone, Bill Birkhead, John Brady and Frank Towers, later Pete Lawless, Maurice Marsden and Brian Smith. We were originally located under the balcony at the Darnall end, next to the gear section.
Happy days !!

GLOS

Hi mikep57,
You are thinking of Maurice Marsden. I was on the hydraulics section originally
myself, when, along with the lubrication section it came under Eric Stead.
Maurice joined slightly after me, and several years later I think that he went into teaching.

GLOS

Must know you, I sat opposite Brian Brook who whistled a lot so to stop him we held up a drg. of a cats backside which looked like his lips & he couldn't whistle for laughing. There used to be a 6" 'cannon ball' left over I think from the old forge which would get rolled rumbleing down the D.O. floor & folks lifted their feet up to avoid a broken ankle. As has been said, 'Those were the days'

Must know you, I sat opposite Brian Brook who whistled a lot so to stop him we held up a drg. of a cats backside which looked like his lips & he couldn't whistle for laughing. There used to be a 6" 'cannon ball' left over I think from the old forge which would get rolled rumbleing down the D.O. floor & folks lifted their feet up to avoid a broken ankle. As has been said, 'Those were the days'

He must have been an exceptional whistler !!

GLOS

There are many interesting posts here relating to the wonderful old company. I am here to tell you that it is still a wonderful company and having amalgamated with Markham of Chesterfield some 10 years ago it changed its name in 2006 to DavyMarkham Limited.

I was brought in 2006 by the owners to undertake a turnaround of the business which had been allowed to get into a severe loss making position. By making some well overdue changes to management, operations and working practices, we managed to get the old Davy and Markham names back on the map and since 2006, with the support of the magnificent workforce, we have returned to profit and are here to stay!

In 2007 Duncan Hay (the FD) and I undertook a Management Buyout which was financed by Endless LLP in Leed. Endless have commenced in refurbishing the old buildings and new tenants are using some of the buildings which have been empty for many years.

We also reinstated the famous apprentice training scheme and have taken on 18 apprentices in the last two years – this represents 20% of the shop floor workforce.

We are entering 2009 with a full order book and some lucrative prospects for 2010.

Our main product lines are sub-contract machining (up to 350 tons), moving structures (Newcastle Millennium Bridge), tunnel boring cutter heads, mine hoists and repairs to equipment supplied by Davy over the years.

Please see our website …… davymarkham dot com ..... I hope you will agree with me that the old business is still in good shape and a great advertisement for MADE IN SHEFFIELD ……

Kind regards and thanks to all the former employees who helped make DAVY the company it was and still is today!

Kevin Parkin
Managing Director.

Hi there, unfortunately Ron Marsden passed away in the late 90s under very tragic circumstances.

My grandad (frank straw)worked for davys for many years untill he retierd,we were at his funeral yesterday.

I did'nt work at Davies,served my time at the ESC River Don Works.Was there from 62-70.My best mate Mick Hempshall was a production fitter at Davies and his Father Frank was a crane driver. Frank and his better half Molly are still alive and kicking as far as I know and live at Bramley? Mick lives near Cheadle Hulme.
I have family connections with Davies as well, my wife Kate Selby nee Meeke worked there 65-66 in the cashiers office. Margret Malcom and Kath Wragg were in the office too. My Brother in Law Ernest ''Mick" Tooley was I think the Factory Engineer. He had rather a bad work related accident and was of work for some time.He was back at work only for a short time before he developed cancer and died in 94.
I remember the sports club very well as I used to go there with Mick.Nobody has mentioned the spiral stair case in the foyer, very flash at the time.
Yes I spent many an hour downing a pint or three while playing snooker or darts.Mick was, and nodoubt still is a good player but hated losing so as I was a pretty average player (some would say below average) I used to *iss him off when I played a bad shot, especially if we were playing for money.
I got to know Dave "Henry'' Wragg:D as well as Frank Hammond and some others who's names I have forgotten.
ESC had a sports club at Shiregreen but this was old and rather dowdy but Davies was new and a rather exciting place to be.Is it still there?
Mick had an amazing ability to fart on demand, you know pull my finger.Anyway after having a few pints of the amber liquid at the club we decided to go into town (there was another guy with us but I cant remember his name)We hopped on a Atlantian bus and went up stairs, all cool teenages went up stairs and sat on the back seat. A Jamacan conductor came upstairs to collect the fares and just as the conductor reached us Mick let out one of his thunderous farts made even louder by the leather seats.The conductor who was a little startled by this, said, with a dead pan face and in a thick Jamacan accent Have you ripped the seat? This remark sent us into hysterics
helped nodoubt by having a few ales under our belts.
Ok you needed to have been there.
It's good to see that Davies is still in business.
Pete.
K P

I am pleased to read the positive note struck by KP and the good future prspects of the old company. I joined Davy and United Co Ltd in 1960 as an engineering apprentice and was fortunate to get one of the best training programmes of its day, better than Metro Vickers even, because everyone was so helpful and friendly. I have notebook full of names of those I met in that 3 year period. The training has stood me in good stead. I left Davy Loewy Sheffield in 1877 but moved to other group companies in Poole and London - but have always had a very soft spot for those early days. Thanks.
REH
PS If you want to check names send me an email.

i started in 1964 as an apprentice finished in 1985 i worked the big vdf in 3bay i remember with great affection earnest shaw eddie keys arthur smith etc.they were great days.i miss all those people and the times we had and the wages .

i started in 1964 as an apprentice finished in 1985 i worked the big vdf in 3bay i remember with great affection earnest shaw eddie keys arthur smith etc.they were great days.i miss all those people and the times we had and the wages .

Does anyone remember my dad Peter Kirkman. He worked in purchasing at Davy for many years.

I do remember Peter Kirkman very well. After leaving Davys he and Bernard Barber, set up a company called Thompson Associates. And at the time I had my own small Engineering Business and worked for them on almost a daily basis.

I remember both Peter Kirkman and Bernard Barber. Peter was Manager of Purchasing in the 70s when I was out in Mexico on a big rod mill project and his department saved me from big trouble with timely action when a supplier let us down. Peter was good at letting them know the score in no uncertain terms. At the time he had divorced which knocked him sideways but he had an excellent team. Tony White was our guy and totally reliable in answering our telexes any time day or night.

Then Bernard was a good friend - in the 60s I was working with him in the Gear design section in the drawing office and he taught me a lot including how to play bridge - every lunch we had a casual & fun session around the drawing boards. When I left the Gear Section they presented me with a signed reference book which I still have. Good days! He was a very clever chap - I remember in the 70s he came once to the Davy company in Poole to tell us how to put our gear design mistakes right. It upset the Poole guys that Sheffield designers knew a lot more about high duty gearing for rolling mills than Poole designers did. It was my job to tell them so; I got flak but I had no doubts who was right!

PS It's interesting to know Bernard had a consultancy which seems to be still going strong under someone else. Anyone got recent news of Bernard or Peter?

Thanks for the replies about my dad Peter Kirkman.

Just to let you know that he died five years ago.

HI TONY
IS IT TRUE THAT ON A QUIET NIGHT AT CHRISTMAS TIME YOU CAN
STILL HEAR CLIFF PLAYING CAROLs ON HIS TRUMPET ON TOP OF HIS CRANE

Only played when United won, he played louder when Wednesday lost. If it was both, it was difficult to get a lift. (not really)
This certainly brought back memories

Whilst working for Davy Computing, at Moorfoot, I made my one and only visit to the Darnall works and met Ron Weatherall, Head draughtsman in the mid 80's. He showed me the very large number of draughtsman (75?) and said that within 2 years of then, they'd all be gone; due to Computer Aided Design. Little did I know, that 4 years later, I would be called into Personnel with 17 others and given 10 minutes to get on the pavement, with most of the company to follow. Such is the pace of technology. Does any-one know if Davy Computing Ltd. survived at all?.

My Grandad (Dennis Hennell) and dad (David Hennell) both worked for Davy. Dad started as an apprentice and spent best part of his working life with them in Darnell, Bournemouth and Korea. He was MD of a design company called Thompson Assoc. which i still believe operate from Prince of Wales Road.

I know it has been over a year since your post boy I worked along side your Dad when I first joined the EDO. If you are Daniel, you'd have been just a toddler then. I still have a book your dad swapped with me for some CB equipment.

I started my apprenticeship in 1977, I think it was the last of the big intakes (about 25 craft, 10 technician, 10 graduate apprenticeships). After that, no where near as many were took on.

There are so many names in this thread I remember.

Anyway, the other names at the time on the same squad as your dad and myself were, Jack Glaves, Ron Smith, Andy Fletcher, Derek Billingsley, Pete Woodhead, Roy Brookes and Phil Ripley. I was only with this squad for a year or so before moving to JVW's squad next door where my board was bang in the middle of the whole drawing office. So, I was never far away from so many excellent engineers, a truly amazing experience that I perhaps didn't fully appreciate at the time.

Appreciate the post by Kevin Parkin regarding the Davy Markham situation. I worked with Mick Steeper in R & D for a short time too.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1289035@N25/

Hi does anyone remember my uncle Jack Allwood who started at Davy when he was 15 in 1935 he worked there till retirement in 1985 or my grandad Jim Cusick who worked there in 1940 Alan Littler NSW Australia

I have vague memories of Jack, he'd have not been too far away from retirement when I was there, plus I didn't spend long in the workshops. My Dad however often spoke very fondly of him. I believe my Dad worked under Jack during his apprenticeship. That would have been around 1950, then moved in to 6 bay in the 60's. Jack was renowned for taking his time and getting the job done right the first time. Had a no-nonsense approach and was very well respected. I don't remember your granddad, Jim though.

Dear members, i´m from Portugal and need any help or any information about the Company Davy Mckee holding companies managment activities.
I have an company in Portugal and for some years ago this company from Sheffield have make me some parts and now i need to contact them to order more parts, somebody know if this company existe and the address is "POW road, Sheffield,south Yorkshire" ???

Thanks
antonio

is somebody have informations about this company Davy Mckee and if possible address,please send me an e-mail direct to my company it is an gmail account
ancatos@gmail.com, and my name is antonio santos. thanks for all

Yes it still exists.

Davy-Markham
Prince of Wales road
Sheffield
England

Thank you very much for this information, i know that it is to much ,but "if " you have some time , can you please see in local phone book or whatever, to see the contacts from Davy Markham !? But just if this is not an poblem for you,ok.
Thanks again
ANTONIOSANTO

Tel#:0044(0)114 2914000

ANTONIOSANTO

Read back over these pages. I noticed there was a ex-employee now living in Portugal. You never know, some help could be on hand closer than you think?

dial, I remember going to the Christmas parties at the club quite a few years ago ... my dad worked at Davy Roll , & I worked at McKee from 1980 - 1992 ....... seems a shame the place has gone downhill ....

pressy did you know gordon fielding what used to work there in 4bay and lms shop

Angel49 .....The name rings a bell but cant remember anything else. A couple of mates worked in the LMS upto when it was flattened then moved into 2bay.

My Dad was Personnel Manager there early 70's... Bill Mitchell.. If anyone remembers?

Ian Hopwood and Brian Endsor come to mind, both are still with us.

i went to infant/junior school with a lad who's dad worked there (davy united) i always thought he was a footballer:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: true story btw and the lad in question actually did end up being a footballer..how spooky's that then

Hi there,

I don't suppose you remember the name of the lad you went to school with do you?

My granddad worked at Davey Utd (retired in 1960), his son Peter Reeder went on to play for Sheffield United. I don't suppose Peter is the lad you went to school with is he?

Many thanks,
Andy

Hi there, I started work in the Davy United training school in 1957 then went into the Pattern Shop in 1958 as an apprentice Pattern maker. There was a pattern maker called Brian Endsor in the shop who believe left in the early 1960's and joined the Forest Agency I wonder is this the same person that you mentioned Crookesey?
Regards G.M.

Ian Hopwood and Brian Endsor come to mind, both are still with us.

Hi Crookesey did Brian Endsor work in the Pattern Shop at Davy United ?

Regards G.M.

Brian Ensor still in Sheffield. Is in the telephone book.

Brian Ensor still in Sheffield. Is in the telephone book.

Thanks mikep57 I will try to contact him.

Regards G.M.

I worked at Davy-Loewy (formerly Davy United) from 1974 to 1978 in the Publicity Department. Stan Boswell was the Publicity Manager but sadly died then a guy called Tony Chrismas took over. I worked alongside John Robertshaw who was the Marketing Manager. One of my best friends is Janet Davison who married Arthur Davison (draftsman). She was David Dixons Secretary.

Linda Swallow (formerly Johnson):

I worked at Davy from 1979 until 2005. My father, Lol Goodison worked there too. Between us, we served the company for nearly 70 years. My dad was a squad leader in the drawing office and I was a machinist, quality engineer and then a project manager.

We both have fond memories of the place and both have the old Davy 'D' in our hearts.

An earlier reply suggested the influx of apprentices reduced in the mid-seventies. However, our influx of '79 was 25 craft and 5 technical apprentices. The following year was a similar amount.

Some of the names from my year are as follows (apologies for those missing):

John Caddick, John Goodman, Chris Williamson, Rod Fiddler, Steve Wraith, Andy Webster, Keith Fairclough, Anthony 'Sid' Henstock, Jon Scholey, Dave Thomas, Dave Powell-Pepper, Chris Mogan, Alan Birtles, Richard 'Backy' Oldham, Gary Dickin, Mark 'Jacko' Richardson,
Mark 'Stevo' Stevens, Mark 'Rocker' Johnson, Richard 'Babs' Barber, Ian Roebuck, Martin Hawley, Martin Street, Andy Oates, Phil Moore.

Great memories!

I worked at Davy from 1979 until 2005. My father, Lol Goodison worked there too. Between us, we served the company for nearly 70 years. My dad was a squad leader in the drawing office and I was a machinist, quality engineer and then a project manager.

We both have fond memories of the place and both have the old Davy 'D' in our hearts.

An earlier reply suggested the influx of apprentices reduced in the mid-seventies. However, our influx of '79 was 25 craft and 5 technical apprentices. The following year was a similar amount.

Some of the names from my year are as follows (apologies for those missing):

John Caddick, John Goodman, Chris Williamson, Rod Fiddler, Steve Wraith, Andy Webster, Keith Fairclough, Anthony 'Sid' Henstock, Jon Scholey, Dave Thomas, Dave Powell-Pepper, Chris Mogan, Alan Birtles, Richard 'Backy' Oldham, Gary Dickin, Mark 'Jacko' Richardson,
Mark 'Stevo' Stevens, Mark 'Rocker' Johnson, Richard 'Babs' Barber, Ian Roebuck, Martin Hawley, Martin Street, Andy Oates, Phil Moore.

Great memories!

Does your dad still have that build it yourself sports car?

No, he sold it a few years ago. He now lives in Bridlington. Been there a couple of years. Another old Davy face lives opposite him....Tony Middleton.

Hi does anyone remember my uncle Jack Allwood who started at Davy when he was 15 in 1935 he worked there till retirement in 1985 or my grandad Jim Cusick who worked there in 1940 Alan Littler NSW Australia

Hi alsuzy,

Jack worked in 6 Bay whilst I was serving my time in there. I think most of the bay considered him the best fitter in the shop. I never had the pleasure of being assigned to him as apprentice (I worked with Dougie Knowles - another very highly regarded fitter) however, I can recall the following about Jack:

If he did make a mistake he would laugh (at himself)
His status/reputation never went to his head - he was modest.
He made it look easy, yet he was given the big jobs.
He only drunk water at breaktimes (never tea or coffee).

No71

Just down bottem was jgo transport ,that was in the car park

Hi there, I started work in the Davy United training school in 1957 then went into the Pattern Shop in 1958 as an apprentice Pattern maker. There was a pattern maker called Brian Endsor in the shop who believe left in the early 1960's and joined the Forest Agency I wonder is this the same person that you mentioned Crookesey?
Regards G.M.

Hello Sigma,

I worked with a (great) chap in 6 bay called Ralph Ferrett. I know he started as a pattern maker but was moved over to fitting when they decided the pattern shop would close (he was an apprentice at the time). Did you know him?

No71

No71

Angel49 .....The name rings a bell but cant remember anything else. A couple of mates worked in the LMS upto when it was flattened then moved into 2bay.

Hi Pressy,

Sad day when they cleared the LMS. I associate the closure with the start of the steep decline. Any chance you could let the forum know the names of your mates?

No71

Must know you, I sat opposite Brian Brook who whistled a lot so to stop him we held up a drg. of a cats backside which looked like his lips & he couldn't whistle for laughing. There used to be a 6" 'cannon ball' left over I think from the old forge which would get rolled rumbleing down the D.O. floor & folks lifted their feet up to avoid a broken ankle. As has been said, 'Those were the days'

Hello Mike57

You were/are Mike P from the hydraulics section of HMD working with Dick, Brian B and Bob H? I remember Brian Brooke's boob mug as well as his singing and whistling. Also the race for the best (darkest) dripping scone as the tea trolley crashed out of the lift. I was at D-L for only three years but have fond memories of the place - especially after coming up to Sheffield fromt'South. They were well up with technology - introduced the first CAD machine, or whatever it was called in those days, in 1976 and Square D PLCs the same year. Whenever I see the opening scenes from the Full Monty it brings back memories of the mid '70s, walking home at night from Tiffany's or the Top Rank with the glow of blast furnaces just over the horizon and the thud of forging hammers carrying across the city. We now live in Adelaide, South Aus, but could move back to Sheffield for a while any time.

Hi No71 .... few I remember in the LMS was Steve Gregory, Richard "Bacci" Oldham, Kev Glossop, Kev Middleton & trying to think of the others

[QUOTE=alsuzy;6451813]Hi Can anyone help me locate my dad, Alan Littler, Living in Australia, Originally from Sheffield. He is very much Missed.
Thankyou
Catherine Littler

This, website is extremly confusing....GrRRRRR!!!
It is Not user-friendly at all!!
I have to post 5 messages, before i can send a private message...well here goes the 5!!!
:)

Davy United - What is the status of it?

As most of the posts are years old I thought I would ask if anyone as any up to dade information, I have been told they are recruiting as they move from 1 to 2 shifts, is this true.

If so what kind of jobs are they and what are the conditions like, not the factory, the blokes and management set-up.

Before someone says it yes I could try their web site but inside information is always better, cheers in advance for any comments, good or bad.

Hi does anyone remember my uncle Jack Allwood who started at Davy when he was 15 in 1935 he worked there till retirement in 1985 or my grandad Jim Cusick who worked there in 1940 Alan Littler NSW Australia

Hi iworked in the NFS 73/82 i remember a Jim Cuisick he had a few old bikes ,arial square 4 1000 ajs as i remember he gave me a ferret and dad made me get rid
Jack Allwood was a legand so jack whitely said. i live in eire these days

[QUOTE=alsuzy;6451813]Hi Can anyone help me locate my dad, Alan Littler, Living in Australia, Originally from Sheffield. He is very much Missed.
Thankyou
Catherine Littler

Hi chathrine if im not mistaken he"s in NSW Australia try kat2011 on page 4 of Davy United,What is the status of it
Hope this helps
Regards Steve

Hi No71, sorry I have not replied before as my wife and I were visiting our son in Spain at the time of your posting and I didn't pick it up.

I didn't know Ralph Ferrett as I left Davys round about 1964, possibly before he came down into the pattern shop from the training school.
Regards sigma

Hi iworked in the NFS 73/82 i remember a Jim Cuisick he had a few old bikes ,arial square 4 1000 ajs as i remember he gave me a ferret and dad made me get rid
Jack Allwood was a legand so jack whitely said. i live in eire these days

Hi Finchy s,

Thanks for that! I'd seen the post regarding Jim and knew I knew the name... I can picture him now you mentioned the Square four.

Don't know what you are doing in Eire but hope you are well.

No71

anyone any idea what happend to John Robertshaw in marketing, Bill Cope, Wally johnson, maurice brookes who were the sales guys. i worked alongside them in the 1970's in the Publicity Department with Tony Chrismas (I'm Linda Johnson) left in 1978 to have my one and only daughter

Hi No71, sorry I have not replied before as my wife and I were visiting our son in Spain at the time of your posting and I didn't pick it up.

I didn't know Ralph Ferrett as I left Davys round about 1964, possibly before he came down into the pattern shop from the training school.
Regards sigma

Hi totally unrelated to davy"s , do you know a fishing pal of mine ,Mick rimmer of Hillstown
Regards steve

Hi Finchy s,

Thanks for that! I'd seen the post regarding Jim and knew I knew the name... I can picture him now you mentioned the Square four.

Don't know what you are doing in Eire but hope you are well.

No71

Hi you do you know Mick Rimmer of Hillstown a fishing pal of mine
Regards Steve.

Hi finchy s,

Sorry i dont know your mate at Hillstown, even though i drive past that part of the world on my way to work.

On a different note, there is a chap called Hobson who writes features in Amateur Photographer magazine. Do you know if it is Davy Roll Hobbo? The face shown in the mag certainly resembles him.

No71

Hi finchy s,

Sorry i dont know your mate at Hillstown, even though i drive past that part of the world on my way to work.

On a different note, there is a chap called Hobson who writes features in Amateur Photographer magazine. Do you know if it is Davy Roll Hobbo? The face shown in the mag certainly resembles him.

No71

Hi 71 that would"nt be a Steve Hobson of park hill flats sister called lyn married Dennis Hobson jnr have not seen steve in 30 yrs
Regards Steve

Hi Finchy s, I do know Mick Rimmer I saw him today in our local and told him that you were asking about him. He told me he would ring you. regards Geoff.

does anyone remember Jack Whitely,Harry Tidy,Brian Tarbutt.
they were my mates during my time at Davys 1946~1953
I served my time in 2bay before being sent to Consett alongside Reg Williamson and Dennis Carlinto erect a coggin Mill.

hi finchy s here i worked with Jack for 10 years in the nfs bit of a head the ball but i understood him great sportsman i was one of is proteges all i ever did was learn i had great respect for jack must be 30 plus years since i seen him.

There are many interesting posts here relating to the wonderful old company. I am here to tell you that it is still a wonderful company and having amalgamated with Markham of Chesterfield some 10 years ago it changed its name in 2006 to DavyMarkham Limited.

I was brought in 2006 by the owners to undertake a turnaround of the business which had been allowed to get into a severe loss making position. By making some well overdue changes to management, operations and working practices, we managed to get the old Davy and Markham names back on the map and since 2006, with the support of the magnificent workforce, we have returned to profit and are here to stay!

In 2007 Duncan Hay (the FD) and I undertook a Management Buyout which was financed by Endless LLP in Leed. Endless have commenced in refurbishing the old buildings and new tenants are using some of the buildings which have been empty for many years.

We also reinstated the famous apprentice training scheme and have taken on 18 apprentices in the last two years – this represents 20% of the shop floor workforce.

We are entering 2009 with a full order book and some lucrative prospects for 2010.

Our main product lines are sub-contract machining (up to 350 tons), moving structures (Newcastle Millennium Bridge), tunnel boring cutter heads, mine hoists and repairs to equipment supplied by Davy over the years.

Please see our website …… davymarkham dot com ..... I hope you will agree with me that the old business is still in good shape and a great advertisement for MADE IN SHEFFIELD ……

Kind regards and thanks to all the former employees who helped make DAVY the company it was and still is today!

Kevin Parkin
Managing Director.

I'll stick my neck out and try to bring Kevin's post up-to-date:

In February 2010, Endless LLP sold Davy Markham to a large Indian engineering and construction company called IVRCL (The letters must be an abreviation but dont know what it is.)

Davy Markham now appear to operate through an IVRCL subsidiary called: Hindustan Dorr-Oliver. Don't know what their current order book is like.

Regards

hi finchy s here i worked with Jack for 10 years in the nfs bit of a head the ball but i understood him great sportsman i was one of is proteges all i ever did was learn i had great respect for jack must be 30 plus years since i seen him.

hello again as you say Jack was a bit impetuous thats how he won the Air Force Medal during National Service.I knew all his family but i left sheffield in 1951 and havent seen any of them since but I shall never forget hi as a good friend.