Anyone recall the International Twist Drill Co. Ltd? They had a factory at Claywheels Lane, and an office and warehouse at Watery Street. As I remember, the boss was a guy called Shuttleworth, and the Claywheels Lane operation had some links with a firm called the Pickford Tool Company. I'm talkinh of about 1958. A chap called Bill Crookes was the boss of the PTC, and I think one of the workers there was called Frank Harrison, who lived on Bradfield Road. The girl on the switchboard in those days was called Christine Kilner.
The Watery Street premises were more familiar to me, and I recall that Tony Neill was the boss and sales manager. I think his No.2 may have been a chap called Swallow, who was also a rep. A director based at Watery Street was called Schindler.
Of the staff I recall Harry Levitt, John Forrest, Harry Truelove. On the warhouse and packing side there was a guy called Lol Dyson and someone called Percy (can't think of his surname off hand). The woman on the switchboard was a Madge Gill.
It would be interesting to know whether any of the Watery Street people are still around. I don't know when those premises shut down, and, indeed, I don't know much about what happened to Intal after about 1960. Neither the Watery Street building nor the Claywheels Lane factory exist now.
Redfyre.

My father worked at intal for many years his name was Walt Bond

I started work at INTAL on Claywheels Lane when I was 15 in 1959 as an apprentice machine setter, I worked in what was known as the "Indian village" because of the shape of the machine covers in the flute grinding section. My chargehand was a man called George Pass and he taught me how to read a micrometer. My wages were £1-9shillings for a 45hr week, my Mom took £1 and I had the 9s it was a lot of money compared to the 2s-6d spending money I got before I left school. The works manager was a man called Twigg his first name was Charlie I think, I remember his son was called Peter and he took over from the old man when he retired, other names I remember were Frank Amos, Jonny Riley, Fred & May Rastrick, Edith Grice and Tom Siddall the shop floor labourer.

I started work at INTAL on Claywheels Lane other names I remember were Frank Amos, Jonny Riley, Fred & May Rastrick, Edith Grice and Tom Siddall the shop floor labourer.

Ah, Fred & May Rastrick, now they bring back memories.

I started at Intal in 1965 when I was 16 and left in 1973. The place shut down around 1982/83 and eventually was demolished to make way for Fletchers bakery extension. There have been reunions arranged I think by John Pennington and Malcolm Neild ( Big Mac ) at the Masons Arms on Capel Street. The last one I went to was about 5 years ago & I haven't heard of any since.

my parents met there in the early 60s, my father is called pete stacey and was a engineering fitter and my mother was maureen benson and was a machinist.

Hello everyone does anyone remember the table tennis team Jim Salt Dennis Fletcher Jack Taylor. Used to love going to watch them play an excellent team. Also my grandmother worked there for years Ginny Hayes she died aged 102 Let me know if anyone remembers any of the above and if there are going to be any reunions. Thanks

I was there from 1965 to 1973 and along with a number of fellow apprentices was inspired and encouraged to form a second team. I played alogside Malcolm Blackburn , Alan Wood , Alan Siddall , Steve Leggitt , Pete Robertson , & Trevor Williams. Trevor went on to become Sheffield table Tennis champion in 1978 & again in 2005. I still see Dennis Fletcher & Jack Taylor , they are both still playing for Vulcan TTC. I haven't heard anything of Jimmy Salt for a number of years.

Hi tigerboy
thanks for the update I know Jim Salt went to live in Devon. Good to hear that Jaci and Dennis and Jack are still playing....I would have thought they would be too old now though but good on them.

does anyone know where the old tabletennis team play now we are coming upto Sheffield and would love to surprise them

Hello everyone who remembers twist drill we have been reading the post and know some of the names but as everyone else are getting older and forget some ot them. Remember Jonny Riley Jack Taylor Dennis Fletcher David Osgathorpe and a few others but don`t know what they are all doing, Just wondered if they ever have any get togethers. If so we would be happy to meet up although we now live in Devon.
Regards to all
Jimmy Salt:)

My wife Jose Turton was there in the middle/late 1960s,Claywheels lane that is, we now live in Cornwall

i'm certain my father in law george pass worked there until it closed.

i'm certain my father in law george pass worked there until it closed.

yes I remember George I worked with him. I worked in the fitting shop first at Watery Lane then at Claywheels Lane but have been left Sheffield for almost 27years now. Live in Torquay and can`t play table tennis any more too old but do miss it and the lads.
jimmy salt

Does anyone remember the members of the union going on strike for about an extra £3.00 per week. The convenor Jimmy Salt locked the gates to keep out the management. It was on T.V. and the men got their money. Well done lads

My Mam and dad worked there. Ron and Joyce Oakes. dad was a butt welder...

I was there from 1965 to 1973 and along with a number of fellow apprentices was inspired and encouraged to form a second team. I played alogside Malcolm Blackburn , Alan Wood , Alan Siddall , Steve Leggitt , Pete Robertson , & Trevor Williams. Trevor went on to become Sheffield table Tennis champion in 1978 & again in 2005. I still see Dennis Fletcher & Jack Taylor , they are both still playing for Vulcan TTC. I haven't heard anything of Jimmy Salt for a number of years.

Steve Leggitt is my brother in law.

George was in charge of around 40 machines and made sure we kept them all working, his wife worked on the twilight shift for a while. They lived on Mansell Crescent and had about 5 children, the only one I remember is Jane. George had an old Dodge motorbike and took me home on it one day, I burned my leg on the exhaust pipe and never went on it again. :hihi:

Hi its Alan Wood, I was in the Table Tennis Team (the 2nd team). would any of the lads that were in the aprentice training center with me please get in touch. Names I remember, Alan Siddall, Gordon Pass, Pat Cain ,Malcolm BlacKburn, Alan Steer, Andy Taylor, Joe ? The instructor was Eric Bimrose.
My email address is alan.wood2@talk21.com

hi gordon pass is my brother in law.his dad george was some kind of manager ther i think.jayne who compost refers too is my wife.she is the youngest of the five children.

PAT CAIN ALAN WOOD HAS A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS alan.wood2020@yahoo.co.uk

Hello Redfyre. I've only just seen this thread. My mother, then known as Margaret Mayor was a typist in the office on Watery Lane just after the war in 1945/46. Madge Gill and her husband ( Bill Gill ) were responsible for my mum and dad getting together. My mum, Margaret Gill, unfortunately passed away 2 years ago, but she often told me of her fond memories of working at the Company's offices on Watery Lane.