I worked at Loxley Brothers Ltd Printers on Aizelwood Road Sheffield between 1976 and 1985. The Managing Director was John Birch in this period and I worked in the composing department when the foreman was Jim May. Any former workers out there?

My husbands mum and grandfather used to work for Loxley's way back.
I have a photo of his grandad at work, posted on the Sheffield History site.
His name was Ethlebert Dickson and would have retired some time in the 1950's

Marion

Thanks Marion, that would have been a bit before my time. What a grand name though!

Just to give a memory jog, these are the people i remember from Loxleys (theres a lot).
Jim May, Steve Wilde, Mark Naylan, Neil Mackley, George Frost, Nobby Scotton, Terry Cartwright, Bill Hayward, Geoff Russell, Jack Cowlishaw, Bob Edworthy, Paul Ward, Pete Brookes, Chris Skelly, Dave Horton John Marsden, Bill Seffers, Dave Winbow, Big Dave Walker, Derek Boucher, Jonathan Newbould, Les Hunt, Chris Bailey, Pete Grayson, Ted Stafford, Garry Hall, John Marshall, Elvin Reinhart, Paul Gordon, Gary Anderson, Susan Crerar, Dawn Edis, Diane Fairest, June, Susan Grayson, Jackie, Maureen, Sheila, Kath, Joanne, Rachel (cant remember surnames) Margaret Elms, Dave Williams, Jane May, Tony and Phillip (warehouse) Mick Dickinson, Ron Thomas, Richard Sanderson, John White, John Birch, Barbara Russell, and Barry from the yard! Phew! I know a few of these people have sadly passed away but it would be great to hear from anyone else from those days. I moved on to Garnetts in Rotherham and then Polestar in Sheffield before leaving the trade last year.

I was there from April 1952 ~ Oct 1966 and I remember a lot of the names you mentioned: Jim May who I still see on a regular basis and have known since we were about 13, Derek Boucher, a very good friend, Les Hunt and Arthur Scotton who both lived near me but who sadly are no longer with us. George Frost who committed suicide, Geoff Russell, Jack Cowlishaw, Bill Hayward, and many more. Was Stan Boddington there when you were, he was a good friend of mine. I was 15 and an apprentice comp, and left to work at Sheffield Newspapers but I remember my time at Loxleys with fond affection, they were a great crowd, there were over 200 on the clock in my time there.

great to hear from you. Can you mention me to Jim the next time you see him? Im Darren, im sure he will remember me, i was apprentice in the comps department when he was in charge, he was united daft, no doubt he still is, and i am a wednesdayite so there was always a bit of banter! Great to hear some of the old names, i dont think Stan Boddington was there when i was though his name was mentioned often, his name shortened to Stan Bodds. Heard about George, that was sad news we always had loads of fun in the comps they were a daft bunch. I went on to work for Garnetts in Rotherham for 20 years then went to polestar for a year, then packed printing in to move down south. Did you know Roger Bentley? he worked at Loxleys and then the Star. Worked with him at Garnetts, another bloody unitedite!

:hihi: Aye up lennonman haven't you got anything better to do than to sit on 'tinternet all day, by the way the thing you sent me in the post I had to fetch from delivery office because you'd put wrong bloody number on and it cost me £1.06 because you hadn't put enough postage on it 'bloody ell' typical wendy fan

Hi sharrovian and welcome to the Forum. Finally managed to unravel the technicalities of gaining access.
From your little brother !

thank you for your message "IANO" sorry about the postage my old friend, i will set up a standing order with your bank to pay it back...ha! Wouldnt mind but the posters cost £1.50 each to print off its costing me a fortune! As my former printer, your rates were much better wernt they? Give my regards to the lads and, as this is a Loxley's thread, a special ey up to former employees, Roger Bentley, Steve Guy and Pete Grayson.

I will remember you to Jim the next time I see him if I can squeeze it in between talking about our beloved Blades. I vaguely remember Roger Bentley at the Telegraph & Star, others I remember at Loxleys amongst the ones you mentioned were Terry Cartwright, Bill Seffers, Dave Winbow, Ted Stafford, Jackie, Margaret Elms, David Williams, Jane May (Jim's daughter), Ron Thomas (Aargh!), and John Birch who was working in the warehouse when I started work. You also mentioned a Rachel who may have been my daughter, she worked in the Binders for a short time. Harry Rowley was managing director when I left, he lived near me (or should that be I lived near him).

Hello Runningman, I'll gi thi a scuff the next time I see you, from your Big brother.

Thanks Sharrovian bet Jim still likes a moan at the blades doesnt he? He was very passionate about them and we used to laugh when he came in on Mondays when they had lost. The air was blue! Hope Jane is ok, we went out a couple of times many years ago but it didnt last...the Rachel I knew went on to work at Garnetts after Loxleys, dont know if that is your daughter or not. Many laughs over the years there, i used to play tennis with Ted Stafford and Dave Winbow and none of us could play and I used to spent the hour doubled up laughing we were so crap! Ron Thomas was works manager when i started at 16 and he gave me the job, but left soon after. I know what you mean about him!John Birch was appointed MD just before i started and another one i remembered today was Frank Gavin who used to be in the comps but was doing artist stuff when i was there. Good to hear from you again.

Hello once again, there was plenty of banter between the Blades and the Owls in my time there as well, I remember Frank Gavin, he was Overseer when I left. The Rachel you mentioned wasn't my daughter after all and as for Jane, she is married with two boys.
Going back to football and just as a matter of interest, in the early 1960's a chap came to work on a part time basis his name was Cliff Mason and he was a member of Uniteds first team, in fact I'm sure he was captain for a while, so the blades had a superiority for a time, he was a real nice chap and friendly and sometimes Fred Smith and Bodd and Les Hunt and me would go to an away match and he would get complimentary tickets for us, he was a comp by the way.
My brother recently won a prize in the Blades superdraw, a VIP day for two it included free admission and programme and a tour of the ground and dressing room, loads of photos and a three-course meal with wine and a seat behind glass for the match ~ great!!!

That just shows you how times change doesnt it? Cant imagine a footballer these days taking another part time job? It must be true what they say that they wernt paid as much as players today. On a footballing note, when i was an apprentice at Loxleys a job was passed on to me that i had to collect money every week from people who were in the Blades development draw and i had to go to Bramall Lane every week to pay it in. You can imagine how i felt as an Owl having to go into the office! Remember Derek Dooley was behind the counter one day and i told him i was a Wednesdayite and his face was a picture! I actually won an agents draw there once and the prize was a coach trip to Wembley to watch England versus Scotland. It was the time that the supporters of Scotland invaded the pitch and dug it up and sat on the crossbar and broke it, do you remember, think it was 1977. Spent the whole day trying not to talk about football so the other agents wouldnt know i wasnt a unitedite....happy days

Yes I remember the wembley match you mentioned, the only time I have been to wembley was to watch United play Crystal Palace in a play off, they lost 1-0 in the last couple of minutes.
Changing the subject I'm retired now but looking back on all the phases of the printing industry and I really don't wish to return to work I'd love to spend an hour or two with a galley full of Mono and a case of type.
Did you know that it was Loxley's 150th anniversary in 2004, they put an advert in the Star and invited any ex-employees to apply for an invitation to an open day, it was a really enjoyable day, I met several old friends who worked there when I did, we had a tour of the building and the present set-up followed by light refreshments. The lasting impression for me was of all the space that there was for when I worked there apart from the walkways it was cram jammed full of furniture, machinery and about 200 people.

I remember all the people you mention we had some great times at loxleys I have good memories and some I'd rather forget we used to have a laugh going to the bridge at every lunchtime I don't know how we afforded it do you remember the barmaid Irene she is my dads home help now I was married to Mick Dickinson. I was made redundant at the same time as Garry Hall in 2002 so I don't see a lot of them anymore but I'm still in contact with Jackie

Hi Soobylou im sure its Sue isnt it? Its Darren im sure you remember me! Great to hear from you, it must be about 22 years since i saw you since i left in 1985. We did have some laughs in those days didnt we? Bridge every lunchtime for grub and a few pints, cant believe we went back to work sometimes...fancy you still knowing Irene, brings it all back now, would like to go in there again just to see what it is like now. Im living in London now packed in printing last year and have now started singing and playing guitar in pubs for a living..sounds far fetched i know but its true. Say hello to Jackie for me will you and anyone else we both know. If you want to send a private message that would be great.

Hi Soobylou, I,m sorry but I don't know you, I never went in the Bridge but I do remember some great Xmas eve afternoons in the Royal at Highfields when it was a decent pub.

Can anyone tell me if Loxley Brothers print works was anything to do with the shop called Loxleys that was in Fargate many years ago?

Hello Mags, I can say for certain that the shop in Fargate belonged to Loxley Brothers Ltd (as Loxley's was known then) I believe the address was 57 Fargate. My first job as a 15-year old apprentice Compositor was to typeset a private letterheading for a shop customer and in fact my wife who also worked in the bookbinding dept. used to go and work in the shop for a few weeks to help with the Xmas rush.

Thanks Sharrovian,
I asked because my sister worked at Loxleys as manageress during the 1950s.
It's a long time ago and I don't suppose anyone would remember.Her name was Iris.

Hello again Sharrovian, i saw the advert in the Star and i rang Loxleys up. They said it was in the planning stage and they would get back to me when it was organised but they never did. Thought they may have cancelled it but glad you got to go back. Would have been good to see the old place again to see how much it has changed. Remember going for my interview there as a nervous 15 year old and being very intimidated by the building with the pillars on the main door! Is the front still the same?

Hello lennonman, yes, the exterior of the building hasn't changed, I travel along Abbeydale Rd. quite regularly and always glance down the side street opposite the main entrance. I too remember going for my interview and then sometime later going with my father to sign my indentures which I have kept to this day, the managing director was Mr. Blythe.

Hello Mags, my wife has a vague recollection of Iris, but as I said she only worked there occasionally to help at Xmas.

Signing on as an apprentice was very important then wasnt it? Before they gave me the job i had to go to Wombwell for an aptitude test. Nearly didnt go because it was so far away to travel by public transport but my dad said it was worth going, to show a willing! They also sent us to day release college which was on Psalter Lane. Hated that mostly as it was like going back to school which i had just left. Someone used to visit the apprentices at work to see how they were getting on at college and if we had any problems, and looking back they did really do it properly and made sure we had the right qualifications. Dont know if that ever happens now, doubt it very much.

Hello Lennonman, I signed my Indentures along with my father one Saturday morning in August 1952, the signing took place in the managing directors office, you know the one with the window that overlooked the whole of the shop floor. I had to begin nightschool at the College of Arts and Crafts in Norfolk St. I remember the first year I should actually have gone all day Tuesday but the "Company can't afford it" I was paid in the first year the princely sum of £1-10s-10d. (£1-54) per week, the enrolment fee for nightschool was 2s-6d. (12p) and I had to pay it and then claim it back from Loxleys, Mr Thomas (Ron) was the overseer in the comps, can you imagine asking him, I usually had to ask two or three times before I got it and anyway it came out of the petty cash. I also remember one year nightschool started at 6pm and I didn't finish work until 5.30pm. they graciously allowed me to finish at 5.15pm, I lived near Loxleys then and went home, had a quick bite, ran and caught a tram and just managed to get there for 6pm.

thanks again for your memories Sharrovian

They were tight werent they, Loxleys? When i first started they used to sent me on the train to Birmingham to deliver sample posters to RoSPA who they did a lot of work for. It was a nighmare getting the cash for train journeys and a bite to eat when i got there, used to get it from a white haired and moustached old fella from upstairs, cant remember his name now, bet you can. Anyway my memories of Loxley's in my early days were a lot of fun. After leaving school i thought working would be very serious, grown up stuff, but a few of the lads were around my age and it was like a playground some days! they would play pranks all day, like flicking type at George Frost. They would ping type onto his head until he had enough and caught the culprits and put them in the bin...he was a big bloke wasnt he? A great favourite would be to sneak up on someone who was setting type in a stick, and drop a iron galley onto the floor, making the victim jump and 'pie' his type all over the floor! Was chatting to an old mate about this recently and we were in hysterics at the things the lads got up to. Good times they were and very different to the way things are these days.

I worked at Loxley's for about a year 1979-1980 as a salesman before going off to live in France. I moved to Loxley fom Oxley Print group in Nottingham and remember John Birch as MD and Mike Bleasdale as sales director and a young John White an estimator who I re-encountered at Pindar in Scarborough later.

Hi All, I worked as a Planner from 1987 - 1990 Completing my apprenticeship with Richard Green and Stephen Hert, Richards dad was Frank and they are both at Proco and I beleive Stephen is still at Loxleys, Some of the names I remember, John White now has a Printing franchise at west bar. Ted Stafford was my God Father and worked on the Crabtree with my Dad Phillip Shields many moons ago. I am now living in Melbourne over in OZ with my partner and our 3 children.

Hi Rob you must have started after i left loxleys but i remember your dad he was on the crabtree for a few years then he was made up to foreman. Seem to remember he was related to Neil Mackley am i right? Neil left and we never saw him again must be 25 years ago now. Remember Ted, he was my tennis partner along with Dave Winbow and Dennis. none of us could play tennis and it was just one long laugh from start to finish. many happy memories of loxleys and many good friends made. all the best in oz and thanks for your post. Darren

My first job in 1943 was printing at a firm in Lowfields opposite the end of Queens road. Can't remember the name now I only worked there for a few months because I liked to be outside so I took up painting and Decorating with WW AXE and Sons of Nether Edge.

.
My brother recently won a prize in the Blades superdraw, a VIP day for two it included free admission and programme and a tour of the ground and dressing room, loads of photos and a three-course meal with wine and a seat behind glass for the match ~ great!!!

Nice to hear your brother had a small piece of good fortune. Hate to have to tell you this, that the same prize would have been a stroke of fabulous fortune had it been at the other end of town! There’s something to be said for the Owls! For one thing, the turf would have been better to walk on.

peterw

Now I don't usually reply to such pathetic comments, but my brother ( Sharrovian ) and I
manage to go through life with a respect for everyone, including Sheffield Wednesday supporters. If you have nothing better to do with your miserable existence, then comment about everyone else, but please don't include us !!!!

Never worked at Loxleys, my cousin did though in the process dept. I was a an apprentice comp from 69-75 working at firstly Townsends of Chesterfield and latterly Parkin & Bacon of Neepsend. I attended Psalter Lane Art College on day release and was there with a few people from Loxleys, although there names escape me. A 10 year break from printing led me to Sheffield Newspapers for 16 years, leaving in 2000.

Hello Sierraman I worked at Loxleys and left to join Sheffield Newspapers in Oct 1966. I was there through all the changeover from hot metal to paste-up eventually being made redundant in March 1989.

Hello Sierraman I worked at Loxleys and left to join Sheffield Newspapers in Oct 1966. I was there through all the changeover from hot metal to paste-up eventually being made redundant in March 1989.
Hello Sharrovian, I also worked at Sheffield Newspapers, I started as a typesetter on the MTelegraph in 1985 and later went on to the Star on days, working i until 2000. Figured out who I am yet? PM me!

Just to give a memory jog, these are the people i remember from Loxleys (theres a lot).
Jim May, Steve Wilde, Mark Naylan, Neil Mackley, George Frost, Nobby Scotton, Terry Cartwright, Bill Hayward, Geoff Russell, Jack Cowlishaw, Bob Edworthy, Paul Ward, Pete Brookes, Chris Skelly, Dave Horton John Marsden, Bill Seffers, Dave Winbow, Big Dave Walker, Derek Boucher, Jonathan Newbould, Les Hunt, Chris Bailey, Pete Grayson, Ted Stafford, Garry Hall, John Marshall, Elvin Reinhart, Paul Gordon, Gary Anderson, Susan Crerar, Dawn Edis, Diane Fairest, June, Susan Grayson, Jackie, Maureen, Sheila, Kath, Joanne, Rachel (cant remember surnames) Margaret Elms, Dave Williams, Jane May, Tony and Phillip (warehouse) Mick Dickinson, Ron Thomas, Richard Sanderson, John White, John Birch, Barbara Russell, and Barry from the yard! Phew! I know a few of these people have sadly passed away but it would be great to hear from anyone else from those days. I moved on to Garnetts in Rotherham and then Polestar in Sheffield before leaving the trade last year.
nice memory jog know em all i was in machine room a few you missed Joe Cooper, John Collier, Tony Marshal, Roger Pryor, Graham Chadburn, Derek Marsh,Dave Allyson and the girls big Janet, Norma,Diane Bailey and i can't forget Carol Jackson been married to her for 34 years oh and Susan Grayson was Rodgers my sister ring any bells

hi smartmart i do remember you, give my regards to carol will you, i worked with her and diane in the foiling department early eighties. its darren by the way. you used to call in at loxleys from time to time after you left if i remember. jack travis was in charge for a while in the foilers think you knew him through college didnt you? ive just got in contact with paul ward again after many years do you remember him? all the best mate

hi smartmart i do remember you, give my regards to carol will you, i worked with her and diane in the foiling department early eighties. its darren by the way. you used to call in at loxleys from time to time after you left if i remember. jack travis was in charge for a while in the foilers think you knew him through college didnt you? ive just got in contact with paul ward again after many years do you remember him? all the best mate
Hello lenonman Thanks yes I will, Thought afterwads some names I memtioned were may be before your time. Paul I do remember ask him about Les Hunt I'm sure he will have a few stories to tell. Jack came to work with me at Rosehill Press for about 12 months I believe he's now selling insurance,thanks once again for reply keep in touch see ya pal.

I worked at Loxleys from 1972 to 2002 and I can remember all the people mentioned and a few more. I have already had contact with Darren by email. I used to love working there in the late 70s and 80s we had some right laughs but when the management changed in the 90s it wasn't the same. I remember Martin and Carol very well from my days when I lived in Mosborough it would be good to get back in touch with some of the old gang we ought to have a reunion somewhere.

Hi Soobylou good to hear from you again hope you are well. Yes a reunion would be a great idea, think you said you were still in touch with some of the old crew, let me know if you fix anything up. Im in touch with Paul and Dawn on facebook and can send them a message anytime.

:roll:hi my dad worked at loxley s bill pennington does anyone remember bill matthews diane sharp brian brittain luv 2 hear valann

Hey up valann yes remember both Bill's had some laughs with them two Diane was Fairest when i was there saw her last week, Brian was a reader i think

I started at Loxleys as an apprentice compositor in April 1952 and Brian Brittain started the week after me, he worked in the readers dept as a copyholder and then a reader when he was 21 so I knew him well. The "Two Bills" as they were affectionately known were guillotine operators and as an apprentice I would see them regularly when fetching various sorts of paper, they were comics and nicer blokes you couldn't wish to meet I remember them well. The only Diane I remember was Diane Ellis (maiden name) she worked in the letterpress dept. and I met her when Loxleys invited old employees back to celebrate their 150th anniversary which was in 2004. I have happy memories of my time at Loxleys and in particular the nice staff that were employed there.

hi Valann yes i remember your dad he was a lovely man, along with Bill Matthews they were a great 'double act', they always had a friendly word for me, as a young apprentice starting out in work it was well appreciated! Knew Diane as well, along with the other girls we always had lots of laughs. Brian Brittain had moved from the readers when i started and had moved into the office. Good to hear from you.

hi I work at Loxleys been there 10 years Its changed a lot now
new owners
Diane Sharpe is still there Jackie retired last year
Gary Anderson Carole Rogers Cath Rowly Suzanne Jackson
are the only ones left of the old ones

Carole

An old friend of my Dad worked at Loxleys for many years in the 40's to 60's.
Sid Atkinson.
He was a keen amateur film maker.
This is one he made of my Dad training a sheepdog.
If the link doesn't work, go to You Tube and put "Craig story of a dog" in the search box.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kF6tKdNmNk

I didn't work at Loxleys but I remember the manager of the Fargate shop many years ago (c. 1963). I can't remember his name but he was a really nice chap. After retirement he used to do a bit of part-time work at Jenkinson Marshall's shop at West Street (corner of Carver Street).

I missed out on the open day a while ago but would love to go back to Loxleys for a look around, yes i bet it has changed a bit since the old days, i had more good days than bad there, look back on it with a lot of affection.

does anyone remember 1 xmas works dinner dance when stan bods wifes knicker elastic broke they ended up round her ankles and stan whipped her off the dance floor quicker than anything youve seen on strictly come dancing anyone remember derek brittain x

I remember Derek Brittain, he worked in the Monotype casting dept., there were two other men in there, Fred Sutheran and Bill Whelan, Fred was the chargehand. Derek, Bill and myself often went to Heeley Baths in our Dinner break doing about 50 mph down Bedale road in Derek's 4-wheel drive jeep. Stan Bodds was one of my closest friends during my time at Loxleys, I held him in the highest regard, I didn't know about the knicker incident but I can well imagine it, I knew Flo' as well.

did derek tell you no brakes on that jeep x

Oh yeah! the left turn at the bottom was always touch and go.

I have just seen the obituary in last night's Star of Doreen Knight probably better-known to ex-employees as "Doreen in the office" ie: Doreen Jackson.

Hi, i worked at Loxleys for seven years between 1979 and 1986 .
I started as an apprentice litho printer ( Steve Taylor ).another blade
Good memories and plenty of banter.
I remember that sad day on boxing day when the blades got beat 4-0
,i didnt want to go back to work with all the stick i was going to get ..ha ha

I started work there in July 1977 when I left school as an apprentice, me and another lad called Chris(I think), but I left after a few weeks to start an apprenticeship at Laycock Engineering, I believe Chris was killed in a car accident a couple of years ago.

Yes ,it was Chris Mountain who got killed in the car accident .He was only about 47 yrs old.