anybody on here who worked in the rolling mills in sheffield in the 70s


I worked at Dunford Elliots on Claywheels Lane & most of the other rolling mills in the 70s

Sanderson Kaysers etc etc

I was grinding billets for rolling during the 70s, one of the firms was Billet and Slab Grinding Co.- used to grind stainless billets for Sanderson Kaysers, Firth Browns, British Steel, Hadfields, Brown Bayleys et al.

Hi Nimrod I probably rolled at least 1 of those billets you worked on
happy days the work was hot & hard but well paid wish I was still working in the mills but most of them are now in other countries

Sheffield was then the Worlds best steel producer now look at us what are we famous for now?

:(

Mdad worked at that place on claywheels lane.His name was ken brooks and after leaving there he went to alloy steel rods on stevenson road.:|

worked in the norfolk bar mill in 70,s (firth browns)used to go in the plumpers & the albert with the other mill hands who were older than me could they lower that ale sadly the mills have gone but more so a lot of them old mill hands bless em

Originally posted by brooksy
Mdad worked at that place on claywheels lane.His name was ken brooks and after leaving there he went to alloy steel rods on stevenson road.:|

Hi Brooksy
there were 4 mills working a three shift pattern maybe 100 men each shift most people only knew first names or knicknames

I mainly worked on little mill as a shearsman with my brother in law little ernie then on the big mill as a hot reelerman

Originally posted by pk014b7161
worked in the norfolk bar mill in 70,s (firth browns)used to go in the plumpers & the albert with the other mill hands who were older than me could they lower that ale sadly the mills have gone but more so a lot of them old mill hands bless em
Hi neverworked there but my dad worked at Hadfields after being made redundant from English Steel Attercliffe after 20 yrs

MY DAD WORKED AT EATON AND BOOTHS ON PENISTONE ROAD IT IS NOW REG VARDY

Originally posted by maverick75
MY DAD WORKED AT EATON AND BOOTHS ON PENISTONE ROAD IT IS NOW REG VARDY

Hi maverick 75 please don't shout iv'e got a hangover LOL
( don't type in Capitals it's classed as shouting or being mad LOL)
Never worked there but knew it

I worked at Sheffield Rolling Mills, Millsand, Off Ladies Bridge, if memory serves me i was on SK2, running out, back in the 70s

Originally posted by coyleys
I worked at Sheffield Rolling Mills, Millsand, Off Ladies Bridge, if memory serves me i was on SK2, running out, back in the 70s

running out ? do you mean on the last pass the finised steel was run down to the sawmen or shearmen if so we called it trailing down

Originally posted by Appolo
running out ? do you mean on the last pass the finised steel was run down to the sawmen or shearmen if so we called it trailing down
That right but we called it running out, i would catch it on the last roll then drag it down to the straighter, these bars would be about 1inch diameter by about 20 foot long.

Originally posted by coyleys
That right but we called it running out, i would catch it on the last roll then drag it down to the straighter, these bars would be about 1inch diameter by about 20 foot long.


yeah were singing from the same song sheet only in different choirs LOL

I did every job in the mills from cranedriver to under roller in my years working the mills met lots of decent mates but sadly we all lost contact when made redundant
We just kept getting jobs then the mill would close down like a merry go round

I use to work for a company called sheffield smelting on attercliffe, I use to work on the big rolling machines rolling solid gold and sterling silver all to be turned in to coins for all over the world. I have worked on the 10" cogging mills bloody hot work in the winter & even hotter in the summer but like every job people as done you had some brilliant work mates well I did. Oh I have worked on the big plate mills as well that was heavy work and worked on the strip mills as well mind you I must admit I enjoyed every day working in the rolling mills. I know I once spent two years on nights solid thats 7 days a week if I did it now it would kill me.

Since leaving school in 1968 and for the following 10 years i must have had every apprenticeship under the sun, ranging from joiner, motor mechanic, plumber, electrician but my alcohol intake coupled with my addiction to night-clubs and generally having a good time invariably got me the sack and it was in these times that i always reverted to what i called my interim job "The Rolling Mills" for two or three weeks till i acquired another apprenticeship, you could always guarantee a job there with a good bunch of lads and a good wage, that scenario finished in 1978.

Hi bigkev I know what you mean the work was hot n heavy but the rewards were ok don't you think that in them days men were men & women were proud of them
Those jobs would probably kill the youths of today that's if you could get any to do the jobs in the first place( come to think of it it would finish me off if I had to do it again) :D

My Dad worked in the rolling mills on Clayweels Lane but it was a long time ago, I suppose in the time when Sheffield led the world in steel. He had an accident at the works that blinded him, I think in 1947, so way before any of you were there.

Bigkkev
My husband worked at Sheff Smelting Company many yrs ago. I would think in the 80's.

hazel

Reply to hazel, when I worked at the sheffield smelting company I would think it would be in the 80's ask your husband if it is possible if he knew of a chap called ken mountain he was also in the salvation army and played either the trombone or the trumpet in the band he had a nickname called fanny mountain. I use to work with him on the big brightside rolling mill and also on the finnishing mill sometimes we had to go and work down in the bottom shop where we had to straighten the gold and silver bars before we could roll them.also ask him if he knew a chap called chick he was my boss in the rolling shop. I cant remember any other of my work mates apart from a guy called paul sutton who also worked in the smelting company I suppose if your husband could name some of his old work mates I might know them.

Sorry Kev, he died a few yrs ago.

I seem to remember the company was split up while he was there and sold to different companies. I think he then worked for Birmingham MInt.?? Think I remember a Mick Crookes working there.?

hazel

I worked at "Spartan Steel's" on Attercliffe in 1971. I started off on the "shears" and then went "Cog Backing" It was hot work and I used to pray for a "roll change" then we had nothing to do for the shift.
I only worked there for about 6 month's then I got sack for having time off ( the money wasn't bad and I was single so when I drew my wages you can guess where it went)

my dad worked at hobson houghton in 60s and s kayser in 70s/80s,his name is jack brookes

I use to work for a company called sheffield smelting on attercliffe, I use to work on the big rolling machines rolling solid gold and sterling silver all to be turned in to coins for all over the world. I have worked on the 10" cogging mills bloody hot work in the winter & even hotter in the summer but like every job people as done you had some brilliant work mates well I did. Oh I have worked on the big plate mills as well that was heavy work and worked on the strip mills as well mind you I must admit I enjoyed every day working in the rolling mills. I know I once spent two years on nights solid thats 7 days a week if I did it now it would kill me.Hi Kev Arthur here Iworked at SHEFF; Smelting co as maint; joiner with Bernard Oakes and Charlie, had a great time, Harold Kirkman was the boss was there from49-54[ spent alot of time in the Railway,] strange this , was only speaking of this pub to my friends here in France it was in there when Ifirst realised i needed specs;
my mate was reading something across the room and i could not see it, Happy days Arthur.

Anybody work or drink !!! with the Flanagans in Firth Browns heavy mill ?

Shaun

My brother Ken Kay worked in the rolling mills, not sure which. My husband Pete worked at Sanderson Bros & Newbould later Sanderson Kayser for many years, tough times but nor exceptional in those days.

anybody on here who worked in the rolling mills in sheffield in the 70s


I worked at Dunford Elliots on Claywheels Lane & most of the other rolling mills in the 70s

Sanderson Kaysers etc etc

I worked at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills 1970/72 but only as a computer programmer. However, my Dad, Eric George was Hot and Cold Rolling Mill Manager in 50's, 60's, until November 1972 so if you worked there, you may have missed him. Been in the Plumpers a few times.

Hi my dad worked at Ibbotsons, George Clarks, John Woods, Woodhead Components and Apollo Steels, in 60's, 70's and 80's. :thumbsup:

anybody on here who worked in the rolling mills in sheffield in the 70s


I worked at Dunford Elliots on Claywheels Lane & most of the other rolling mills in the 70s

Sanderson Kaysers etc etc
Hi, My dad worked at Jonas & Clovers, during the war up to about 1980ish. His nickname was Chippy. Unfortunately I can't remember what position he had.

Hi, My dad worked at Jonas & Clovers, during the war up to about 1980ish. His nickname was Chippy. Unfortunately I can't remember what position he had.


Hi Gemini2, He was the roller,I think, I know he was in charge of the set.

Hi Gemini2, He was the roller,I think, I know he was in charge of the set.
Hi Thanks Geotom, the old memory plays up a bit sometimes.

I worked at Sheffield Rolling Mills, Millsand, Off Ladies Bridge, if memory serves me i was on SK2, running out, back in the 70s
I also worked at the Sheffield Forge & rolling mills at millsands in the early 50s.What a dump. I have also worked at Sandersons Newbould,Firth Vickers & Appollo Steels until they closed in 1986,at Alma St.

Hi my dad worked at Ibbotsons, George Clarks, John Woods, Woodhead Components and Apollo Steels, in 60's, 70's and 80's. :thumbsup:
hi Mandy,I bet i knew your dad because I worked at three of the firms he did.

my dad worked there was his first job..god knows how many years he was there..i remeber goin sometimes as akid it was massive place..no one belives me when i tell em they had a range for testing bullet proof steel,an they had a lathe that made cannons for first world war.....he was on maintenence.electrician

Hi my dad worked at Ibbotsons, George Clarks, John Woods, Woodhead Components and Apollo Steels, in 60's, 70's and 80's. :thumbsup:

Hi Mandy, could not open your reply,sorry.

I worked at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills 1970/72 but only as a computer programmer. However, my Dad, Eric George was Hot and Cold Rolling Mill Manager in 50's, 60's, until November 1972 so if you worked there, you may have missed him. Been in the Plumpers a few times.

I remember your dad Mike, [2 names] great bloke, I worked at Shepcote from 1964 to late 69 in the cold rolling mill and coil build up lines, what a great place to work and the money was the best in Sheffield. I left when they had a big strike as we were saving to come here, I spent my last 6 months in England at Firth Browns working on the furnaces in the heat treatment south.
On arrival in Oz, I worked at the Port Kembla steelworks, 7 day roster & less money than I got at Shepcote for 5 days [40 hrs] on top of that we had to do our own roll changes too, I left after 2 weeks and got a job working on the new freeway to Sydney, 5 days & 4 times the money.

My husband worked at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills about that time with a Basil aka Tubby a Gorden aka slits, a Black jack to name a few.

my dad worked in the rolling mills in the seventy's his name is john johnson

My husband worked at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills about that time with a Basil aka Tubby a Gorden aka slits, a Black jack to name a few.

Hi Twirly, I must have worked with your husband as they were the blokes that I worked with, I left either late 69 or early 70's when they had the big strike, we came to Oz in 1970, my name is Trevor.

I worked in stockholding in the late eighties and was shown round Stocksbridge rolling mill. The heat and the noise were amazing. Proper man's work being in there five days a week, not like my cushy desk job :D

Hi Twirly, I must have worked with your husband as they were the blokes that I worked with, I left either late 69 or early 70's when they had the big strike, we came to Oz in 1970, my name is Trevor.

My husbands name was Dennis, were you part of the team? mMy two sons also worked there as crane drivers.

skippy did you know Brian the football fan who, when his sheffield team lost to the other sheffield team, turned up to workmwith a bandage covering most of his head and every one thought he had been caught in a football ruck so feeling very sorry for him, no one took the mick about his team loosing. when he clocked off he removed the bandage.

Also Albert who was hit on the head with a spanner spinning of the equipment
I havent thought about those days for years now, we all use to go out together now and then. there was never a dry eye with Slits

just remembered another name Stuts i met him the other week, he is looking a bit older now ar'n't we all.was you there when Dennis had hs feet trapped under a c hook .

Gday Twirly, Brian the pole truck driver, mad Wednesday fan, the other blokes on that job were Charlie hooley, I used to take him to work on my motorbike & sidecar, the other kid's name Billy Hazlehurst, his dad worked on the other line with Ralph Bellamy, Sailor, O'grady, Roy Plummer & my old mate Harry Thompson, not forgetting Albert Benton, always pushing his glasses up his nose.
Do you remember Jim Yeomans, Harry Fox, pisspot Harry from Rotherham,Arthur who worked on the back end for Jim Y.
I was on shift when Woody nearly lost his foot when the coil seperated after slitting and trapped him between the coil & C hook, I had to hold his foot all the way to the hospital, remember George Baines & Bennett, I could never get to work on time on day shift because our new born kept us up all night, Bainesy & Bennett told me to get to work no matter what time it was rather than lose time, I used to turn up at 9 o clock some days.
I made a visit to Sheffield in 1990 & spent a couple of days with Harry Thompson, great bloke, unfortunately Sailor had just passed away,another name just came to mind, George Bridges, used to have a M/B & sidecar too & worked on Woody's shift, the bloke on the back end came from Beighton and lost his wife whilst I was there, can't remember his name.
I'm trying to put a face to your name ? can't think of the blokes name that worked the coiler on our shift, very strong man & very quiet, Tubby went to live back down south somewhere, they were great days, remember we took turns at making coffee or tea every hour.
for some reason, Bainesy always put me down for 12 hour shifts, black Jack did a lot of mine, there were 2 blokes who worked on Bellamy's line, one was Bainesy's son in law & the other blokes father was a boss in the hot mill ?
also another bloke from Rotherham who had dermititus & had an MGB, thin bloke with glasses, used to get the girls, it was surprising how many blokes came from the Maltby & Thurcroft areas.

Twirly, remember the night Black Jack fell asleep in the waste paper box & we hoisted it in the air with the crane? Eric George walked through and we told him the crane had a small problem, he walked away smiling, I'm sure he knew what was going on.
I was the youngest bloke on the line in those days.
Horace was the coiler operater, I'm not sure what happened to the bloke on the leveler, but B/ Jack moved on there, Horace took Jacks place & I moved onto the coiler, there were 3 other blokes there who cut the scrap into pieces, but I only remember Harry from Rotherham, there is another that I remember but can't think of his name, could be Dennis.
Bill Jackson & Keith Gregory worked with Jim Yeomans but Keith moved into the hot mill crane driving, he was my wifes cousin and got me the job there, sadly he passed away some years ago when he was about 50.

My grandad worked in the rolling mills for many years,his name was Willie Bradshaw

Dennis had a heart attack but went back to work as steel inspector . the accident you are describing sounds like the one Dennis had but I suspect there were others.

Dennis had a heart attack but went back to work as steel inspector . the accident you are describing sounds like the one Dennis had but I suspect there were others.

Is your surname Wood ? I think the bloke who had the accident was called Bill Wood & he lived around the Pagehall area somewhere, My name is Trevor Powell.
Is Dennis still with us ?

my dad worked at hobson houghton in 60s and s kayser in 70s/80s,his name is jack brookes


this was the one on saville street in the wicker?..my dad worked there too.

Lamberts the name. Dennis died in 1989.We lived on the Littledale Eatate, sheff.

Lamberts the name. Dennis died in 1989.We lived on the Littledale Eatate, sheff.

Very sorry to hear that Twirly, I remember Dennis now you told me that name, he worked alongside me, he started there after me,he was a great bloke to work with. they all were, we spent the whole shift laughing.
I used to have him on about always wiping the dirt off his face, I used to say that he looked cleaner at the end of the shift than some of the blokes who were coming on the next shift to relieve us.
I think I had left there before Dennis had his accident, as I said before somewhere, I left when they went on strike 69/70, I didn't get a chance to see any of them except Harry Thompson before we came down under.
All the best to you and your family.
Trevor.

My father worked at Sheffield Forge in the early 60's as part of a 10 man gang on the rolls. I remember going to visit him on a Sturday morning and it was there I learned that the women crane drivers swore better than the men. My other memory was at the end of the shift the pub across the road had a blanket pinned up behind the bar and the pints were pulled. The men just tossed the money into the blanket and drank. You know I'll bet they were never a penny short.!!

Apollo when you worked down Claywheels lane was it the buildings at the very end through the woods. The Company i work for has bought it and we are turning it into a Forge again.

Hi my names Reg i worked at the Old Park Silver Mill near hillfoot bridge before moving to Dunford and elliots about 1966, I remember myself and four mates having to go to the Office for back pay and being told to take it straight home to our mums! As we where the youngest in the mill, I worked on the billet yard,the furnace and the shears,I still remember catching the bar ends, running up the plate to the shearer, the saw and the reeller.

anybody on here who worked in the rolling mills in sheffield in the 70s


I worked at Dunford Elliots on Claywheels Lane & most of the other rolling mills in the 70s

Sanderson Kaysers etc etc
Did you know little Sammy Sheldon on claywheels lane & Walt the pole?
Also did you know keith Broughton at Sanderson kaysers?

apollo
iworked at sheffield hollow drill, at lock house rd tinsley
managed most jos in mill ie saw lad then cogging down rough then to finnish roll.hard work but wot great lads to work with

My dad worked at Sheffield Rolling Mills and British Steel for many years.

My dad worked at Sheffield Rolling Mills and British Steel for many years - George Blakeley

my dad worked in brinsworth mill at templeborough his name was Ray Davis also my brother Peter Davis.

I have unearthed an album presented to James Amour on his retirement from FVSS Ltd June 30th, 1954. Photo of him with Tommy Dewar and George Ashton. The album contains the names of 177 colleagues with whom James was associated for a number of years. It also contains their signatures together with details of where they worked (Shepcote Lane, Firth Vickers, Strip Mill). R Stevens is shown as a Cost Clerk. This could well be Ron who was computer manager at SLRM when I worked there 1970/72.The album came with my father to North Wales when he retired from SLRM in 1972. He doesnt want the album and if I can trace any descendants of James Amour, I will post it to them.

Mike, ask your dad what the names of the other 2 blokes were that did his job, from what I remember, there were 3 of them all together, one on each shift.

My dad worked for Arthur Lees for many years before he died.
I have an old photo of him and some work mates taken in the 60's
My dad was Bob Holmes, known as Black Bob

Mike, ask your dad what the names of the other 2 blokes were that did his job, from what I remember, there were 3 of them all together, one on each shift.

Well Skippy, Dad says his job was basically 9 till 5 with the occasional night call out when the Steckel Mill was having teething troubles. Under him however were 3 Shift Managers one of whom was George Crawford or Crawforth. The other 2 names he can't recall but he's working on it. A chap called Doug Bennett worked alongside Dad around 1969-1971. Then BSC took over early 1972, Dad retired and I went to Ross Foods in Grimsby. Will let you know if I dig up any more info.

Further to my previous post Skippy, I've had a chat to Dad who's come up with another couple of names, possibly Shift Managers; Ted Beaumont and Johnny King. By this time Dad was Works Manager over both Hot and Cold. I don't think his responsibility included Heat Treatment; that was under John Hemmings. The album previously mentioned as being presented to James Amour on his retirement was actually given to my Dad by James Amour's granddaughter Allison who was a guest of Dad and Jeff Edwards at their apartment in Madeira. Jeff used to be Dad's boss at SLRM.
James retired to St. Ives where Allison spent many holidays. No doubt you're sound asleep at the mo but this'll be waiting for you when you're up and about.

Mike I remember George & Doug Bennett well, I used to write poems and stick them on the notice board, they were usually about the blokes who worked there.
Doug tried so hard to find out who had written then as he was mentioned a lot, one day he caught me writing one, that made his day.
The bosses at SLRM were very friendly & well respected by the workers, no doubt your dad will remember George Baines getting the push over the grinding wheels episode, I'd better not say anymore about that.
Doug had a go at me for being late on day shift due to our first child keeping us up all night, he said, I think we had better swap jobs, to which I agreed, a couple of days later I was walking through the F/Vickers gate at 9 am when Doug pulled up in his car & was about to have a go at me about my time keeping, I turned around and asked why he hadn't started at 6am as agreed, he sped off without a word, after that he just smiled at me and shook his head.
The bosses there were the best I've ever known, I left when they had the strike in 69/70 & went to Firth Browns for my last 6 months before coming down under.

Don't forget Earnest Damms, Peter Attwood and Rotherham Bob.

yes most of my family the hodkinsons worked at apollo steel before it closed

Don't forget Earnest Damms, Peter Attwood and Rotherham Bob.

Ernest Damms - he was a foreman working for my Dad. Heard his name mentioned dozens of times.

Don't forget Rotherham Bob.

Ha ha, keg on legs, his son worked with us on the coil build up line.

Worked on the Armour Plate Mill at River Don works years ago.

Would love to see any pictures or photos anyone has.

Happy Days! PopT

Worked on the Armour Plate Mill at River Don works years ago.

Would love to see any pictures or photos anyone has.

Happy Days! PopT

Hi PopT,
The Armour Plate Mill, now that's what you call a rolling mill! The whole of length of Brightside Lane in the canyon between the two sides of the works used to vibrate when the rolls bit the plate and then drove it through the Mill using the steam engine's full 12,000 horse power. I was always facinated as the birch brushwood was thrown onto the slab as it entered the rolls. As the wood exploded it blasted the scale of the top of the slab.
Information and photograph of the steam engine can be seen on Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust's web site (Kelham Island).

Worked on the Armour Plate Mill at River Don works years ago.

Would love to see any pictures or photos anyone has.

Happy Days! PopT

Hi PopT,
The Armour Plate Mill, now that's what you call a rolling mill! The whole of length of Brightside Lane in the canyon between the two sides of the works used to vibrate when the rolls bit on the plate and then drove it through the Mill using the steam engine's full 12,000 horse power. I was always facinated as the birch brushwood was thrown onto the slab as it entered the rolls. As the wood exploded it blasted the scale off the top of the slab.
Information and photograph of the steam engine can be seen on Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust's web site (Kelham Island).

my dad worked in the rolling mills in the seventy's his name is john johnson

did your dad serve in the TA at the Manor top

I worked at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills, on maintenance, in the Billet Mill in 1970 and also in the Central Engineering Workshop, (CEW).

The only guys I remember were Jack Priestley and Glen Holman. We also worked with a huge black guy, nicknamed "Massambula" who used to swing a 28lb hammer like a toffee hammer.

There was a little guy too nicknamed Garth, often referred to as "tiled hearth" who came with the contractors when the mill was built and stayed on as a foreman. He was so-called because he was only about 4ft 9ins wet-through!

He used to live at the mill and rarely went home usually staying all weekend. He used to sleep in the passageways under the mill - whilst they were rolling!

Often, if you went down there on a Monday morning, you'd find him fast-asleep in a dark corner - he'd scare the s*** out of you.

I worked at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills, on maintenance, in the Billet Mill in 1970 and also in the Central Engineering Workshop, (CEW).

The only guys I remember were Jack Priestley and Glen Holman. We also worked with a huge black guy, nicknamed "Massambula" who used to swing a 28lb hammer like a toffee hammer.

There was a little guy too nicknamed Garth, often referred to as "tiled hearth" who came with the contractors when the mill was built and stayed on as a foreman. He was so-called because he was only about 4ft 9ins wet-through!

He used to live at the mill and rarely went home usually staying all weekend. He used to sleep in the passageways under the mill - whilst they were rolling!

Often, if you went down there on a Monday morning, you'd find him fast-asleep in a dark corner - he'd scare the s*** out of you.

Hi Uren,
I think you were referring to Tinsley Park Works which was on Shepcote Lane.
I vaguely remember the people mentioned in your first paragraph, but who could forget Garth.

He worked for Davy United and was involved in the building and commissioning of the 42" and 32" Mills and all the ancillary equipment.After Davy's contract was finished, he was offered the job as a maintenance forman. He helped to sort out many snags which were found after commissioning. This meant spending many hours on site, such that this became his norm. Eventually he used to have to be ordered to go home.

He was exactly as you described. He must have weighed about 5 to 6 stones, and half of that was the weight of the thick grease which was ingrained in his jacket, trousers and him. He had a gravelly voice which seemed strange coming from such a slight figure.

He was a man that not only worked in the Rolling Mills, but for a long time appeared to live in them!

did any one work at brightside foundry heating & vent company. on don road attercliffe . late fourtys & fiftys.

my dad worked gate 2 firth browns called him joe pagiosi,i remember going to pick his wages up for my mum,met him at thr plumpers

my dad worked at firth browns on sutherland st gate 2 they made a film about him at work ive never seen some one sweat so much they called him joe paggiosi can any body remember him

Do you mean Ossie?

he worked with bill mappin and frank smith

bill mappin was his under roller.they operated 14 inch rolls at norfolk bar mill.when this closed down they were moved to an antiquated mill on weedon st.joe was hit by a red hot bar that caught in the floor coming from the cogging mill which rendered him unable to do his job,this led to him being made redundant at 55 with the fantastic sum of £2400
for 41 years loyal service.no gold watch no kiss my a##e from the penny pinching ;;'@##//s.he always talked with great affection about his workmates .some of who if memory serves me right were
tommy potnell (pothoil) bert? (lofty) bill mappin.ernest millington (shagger) dennis addis.cus. and others i forget.all were strong, proud, conscientous men who would share their last fag or shilling and shared a camaraderie unknown to todays workforce.

just remembered.furnace hand or cog backer was called keith(tea leaf) and joe took over as roller from joe burrows.

My dad Roy Cottam worked at Parkins on middlewood Road up till 1983 when he was made redundant, shortly afterwards he died from a heart attack.
I can remember going down with him on a sunday to light the furness for the early Monday shift and then going for a walk along the river. Me and my sister would run on the spot on the steel rollers on the floor until dad came from lighting the furness and told us off.

Have great memories of working at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills in 1971/2.
Me and my mate used to work during the shutdown weeks cleaning the extraction fans & the furnaces.
Always remember the fitters using the term - "I don't give a flying f**k"
Used to drive the dumper truck and remember the boss had a very nice Vanden Plas.

Hiya maverick what is your dads name, my husband worked at eaton and booth as a apprentice til 1985

Hi Gemini2, He was the roller,I think, I know he was in charge of the set.

Yes Grandad Clarke was a roller. My other Grandad n Dad worked at Wincobank rolling mills, Grandad Luxon, nick name 'wag' and Dad was on the hammers then Grandad went to be a forgeman, and Dad moved to engineers & fitting shop. Dad later moved to Balfour Darwins on the hammer down by the side of the canal over the bridge for the arena.

Did they work at eaton and booth or templeborough?

Any one remember Jack Holmes from Shepcote Lane?

Did they work at eaton and booth or templeborough?

Hi Lagerlil, if you was asking me that question, no they didn't not as far as I know, sorry.

my dad worked at firth browns on sutherland st gate 2 they made a film about him at work ive never seen some one sweat so much they called him joe paggiosi can any body remember him

Chris,

I remember joe paggiosi, he was roller on one of the shifts at No. 2 Gate Firth Brown’s Norfolk Bar Rolling Mill.

I think Big Al was on your father's team's first roll, Big Al so called because he was short and if you didn’t call him Big Al he’d throttle you. He was seriously strong, even for a rolling gang member.

We also had the Scotch Git on the breaker – breaking the bars from the heavy mill into shorter lengths before they went into the reheat furnace. One day a bar didn’t break cleanly and shot up off the breaker, the Scotch Git nutted it back. Walked around the shop saying to everyone “D’you see that, eh” and not a mark on his forehead. His hobby was beating up skin-heads at Matlock Baths. Rangers’ supporter. One day there was to be a directors’ inspection, the Scotch Git spent the night-shift painting obscenities about the pope and the queen over everything. The manager and the foremen went spare.

There was a wee cherub crane driver, used to be a pastry cook before he was sacked and came crane driving. Pink face, snow white curls, a little round feller. One day in the rest-room the wee cherub unpacked his lunch. Part of it was sausages. One fell on the oil & snot covered floor. So the cherub delicately retrieved the sausage, peeled the skin off it and ate the contents whilst we all looked on. Then the cherub carefully poked his finger through the skin, to reveal dirt covered side, gently wiped it with his snot-rag and started to put it in his mouth at which the Scotch Git exploded “Ya dairty wee booga”, grabbed the cherub and ran him thru’ the door. I think joe paggiosi was there at the time.

We lost one of the foremen at No 1 gate, 6 months short of retirement, when someone moved the furnace charger in the finishing shop without checking who was where. The charger was solid metal about 20 ft x 6 x 10. The foreman was bending over between the tracks checking the cast nos on billets stored there. The charger went over him. It was an apprentice fitter who found him. They gave the apprentice the rest of the day off. The foreman’s wife got a widow's pension.

I was working there as a labourer on the heavy gang, 1969 – 70. Heavy gang meant spending our days hunting collections of billets of particular composition and quality for specific roll jobs, then extracting them. They were usually at the bottom of a 15 foot high steel stack so that meant shifting the stack. Billets could be anything from 2 to 4 inch square and 10 to 15 foot long. Finish could be blues (not bad) or grinders (lethal). So a happy hour or two could be spent shifting everything. Helped pass a 12 hour day, 5 days a week with 6 hours on Saturday – 66 hour week. For me a long gap year or two between university and teacher training college.

I also worked in the evenings at a theatre as LX. Catch the last bus home, walk if I missed it, and on the 05:20 Templeborough bus in the morning.

My partner was Harry who was boss-eyed. One day a wagon came in with load of steel, so we took a break leaning against a stack out of the way whilst the lorry gang took our cranes to unload the lorry. At one point Harry and I looked up to see a load of 4 inch grinders passing over our heads, the chains slipped and we had 12 foot bars crashing all round us. Luckily we had been standing under a substantial overhang of bars wedged in the stack, otherwise we’d have been jam. “Oooops” said the crane driver, “You f*****g four-eyed git” screamed Harry, the only time I’ve ever seen anyone really turn green, then Harry walked stiffly in the direction of the toilets – he’d crapped his boiler-suit. I added a few words of my own but was rather laid-back in those days. Big Al and the Scotch Git were all for going up and hauling the crane-driver out of his cab. The foremen told them to leave it. The crane-driver stayed in his cab all day.

The same driver dropped a load of steel on my left leg. Because there wasn’t enough space to store all the steel, we used to swing the loads held in the chains to the edge of the walkways, using our muscles, then drop them. Three or four hefty swings with me at one of the load and Harry at t’other. One day as we did this my foot slipped down into the stack and became trapped. At the same time Harry’s end of the load slipped off the stack. “Uuuup” yells Harry, “Nooo” yelled I. The crane driver lifted the load and, because it had been swung out over the path, it now started to swing back. Fifteen 2 inch square, 14 foot long steel billets heading for my legs. I dropped onto my back in the hope the crane driver would realise something was wrong and raise the load over me. He put the load down on my left leg. Luckily there was a steel bearer under one end and I got my steel toe-cap under the load on the other side of my trapped leg.

They lifted the load off me and my leg seemed to be in one piece, no blood. “You don’t need to go to hospital, do you son” said the ganger. “Course I do you lairy *£$&!”. There was no sick pay or insurance for such as me in those days so, after the hospital confirmed my leg wasn’t broken although most of it was black, the manager gave me a broom and I swept the shop for the next couple of weeks until I could walk properly. I still have a dint in my shinbone and according to an MRI I have degenerative arthritis in my lower leg with the inner bone too thin and the outer bone much thicker to compensate.

My father was the estimator for the Cogging and Heavy Rolling Mill from 1945 to retirement on health grounds at the beginning of the 70s, although they changed his title to assistant manager in the 60s. He wasn’t there all that much because he was Firth Park Ward City Councillor but in those days they weren’t on expenses so the companies usually kept them on as a good-will gesture.

I also briefly worked in Firth Browns 3&4 m/c shops in 67 and a bit longer in Vacuum Arc Melting & Slag Reduction in 72.

As a labourer I took home more than my father who was staff.

And, no, I didn’t become a teacher. I did maths and computing at college and became a systems programmer.

I worked at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills 1970/72 but only as a computer programmer. However, my Dad, Eric George was Hot and Cold Rolling Mill Manager in 50's, 60's, until November 1972 so if you worked there, you may have missed him. Been in the Plumpers a few times.

Worked in the hot mill on the coiler,from 1959-70. Knew your dad well, a real gent always looked smart. Oh happy days.

Gday Jack, I worked on the no 2 coil build up line over the wall from you and used to come and sit with you blokes sometimes when I went into the hot mill to the fag bloke, I remember working with you blokes on the coiler when we either broke down or when you were short handed, but we used to get overtime at the back of the furnace sometimes also, taking away the corrugated iron from under the slabs, when they were rolling certain steels.
If you are who I think you are, you are about my age now [66]
I remember the bloke who worked over your side with the motorbike and sidecar and was interlectually challenged, how he never killed anyone with the bike is amazing.

I worked in the Office at Tempelbrough Rolling Mills in 1974ish, I think they called it the 11" billet mill. I had to go down onto the shop floor and copy stuff of the big blackboard and take the info back to the Office. I was amazed and terrified watching the guys catching the steel and throwing it back through the rollers again. And Hot, bloody hell. One of the guys in the office used to work on the rolling but fell and his arm went through the roller. His arm was deformed so they put him in the office. Best part of the day was the bus to Aldwark to get your cheap (subsidised) lunch in the canteen.

Did they work at eaton and booth or templeborough?
Would your husband happen to be Steve Barley. I worked for Eaton & Booths on both the Pennistone Road & Fullerton Road sites.I later moved to Alloy Steel Rods before retiring last year. If it is Steve I'm sure he will remember me, Bob Prestwood.

Hiya bob, yes it is steve. he said how are you going on? he was surprised to hear you are retired! he said it does not seem that long ago since you was 21!

I have to agree that it only appears like yesterday that we were all very young and starting out on our adventures at Eaton & Booths. ASR ( British Steel Stainless ) was very good to me over the 23 years that I worked there but I have to admit that my time spent at Eaton & Booths was the best of my working life, especially at Hillsbourgh. I had a heart attack in 2004 and was off work for over 10 months and for all I went back to work for a while the company allowed me to take my pension and retire early, it was the best decision that I have ever made. Life if so different now days and for all some said that I wouldn't like it, I literary took to it like a duck to water. I'm a liitle busy over the next few weeks but if you feel like it I would love to catch up with you over a drink somewhere. Take care .

steve said he would enjoy a chat , drop him an e mail at steve@anchormagnets.com to make arrangements to go for a drink.

I worked in the steel mills at swift bros bar mill 1969/70...neepsend rolling mills and spencer clarks sheet mill late 60s to 74ish... does anyone know any of the following men...nick names too...tommi simpson,dennis hoole, kieth buttery, john harris, jack gregory, big jim, to name a few... my name is phil goodwin...and those were the best years of my life!! without a doubt.

I was a painter and decorator during the summer but in winter took other jobs one of which was in a rolling mill near Ladies bridge that would be around 1946. I started as a plate lad, then on the furnace pulling out the billets and handing them to the cog backer. Filthy job and coming from Nether Edge the blokes used to take the mickey about me being posh.

I was a painter and decorator during the summer but in winter took other jobs one of which was in a rolling mill near Ladies bridge that would be around 1946. I started as a plate lad, then on the furnace pulling out the billets and handing them to the cog backer. Filthy job and coming from Nether Edge the blokes used to take the mickey about me being posh.
I worked there in the early 50s.The Sheffield Forge And Rolling mills at Millsan
nds.A hell hole.

I worked in the 8 inch mill at johny woods early seventies

I still work in a rolling mill in scunthorpe,

Does anybody remember a firm called Hallamshire Steel if so
could you refesh my memory please, ive been in an accident over the years memories not good but i remember working as what was called a straightener would catch the rail as it came out run it down the straightening bed and use a huge mallet to flatten it,also worked on the furnace pulling bars out the floor was steel plate and you just slid the bar across,floor got rather hot this would be 61/62.

Yes In think it was at Neepsend near to the Stones brewery.

Thank god for that thought i was really cracking up all i could remember was the potted meat bread cakes from a little shop opposite and that it was on a corner.

a good mate of mine used to work in sheet mill he was called ray wilson i used to meet him after his shift and we used to go in monkey for a pint

my dad worked at sheffield forge later darwins can't remember which mill but it was at the end of mill sands he retired about 69/70 his name was George but was always called Chick i used to go and sit a bottom of mill overlooking don and watched them work wouldn't be allowed any where near now a days health and safety etc He was always coming home with holes in trousers which my mum would patch in the end there wwere more patch than trouser towards the end of his work he used to go in Sunday night to light the furness

my dad worked at sheffield forge later darwins can't remember which mill but it was at the end of mill sands he retired about 69/70 his name was George but was always called Chick i used to go and sit a bottom of mill overlooking don and watched them work wouldn't be allowed any where near now a days health and safety etc He was always coming home with holes in trousers which my mum would patch in the end there wwere more patch than trouser towards the end of his work he used to go in Sunday night to light the furness
Im sure I have heard my brother talk about a man called Chick when he worked at Sheffield Forge.I will ask him.

Does anybody remember a firm called Hallamshire Steel if so
could you refesh my memory please, ive been in an accident over the years memories not good but i remember working as what was called a straightener would catch the rail as it came out run it down the straightening bed and use a huge mallet to flatten it,also worked on the furnace pulling bars out the floor was steel plate and you just slid the bar across,floor got rather hot this would be 61/62.

Yes my brother used to work at the Hallamshire Steel works on Neepsend and so did Tony Dali the Italian singer.
The building still stands but I don't know if it is in use.

this was the one on saville street in the wicker?..my dad worked there too.

I worked at Hobson Houghton Saville Street, late 60s to early 70s. I was a backer. I just cant remember who the roller was, he was a very popular guy cos he was one of the best.

I used to work at Thomas Turton and Sons, Rolling Mills. Maltravers street, Effingham road area. I was there 1970-1973. I worked on the 14" mill first as cog backer then as Finish backer. We used to roll 4"x 5/8" Flat 20' - 30' long bars, it was hot gruelling, sometimes backbreaking work, but it was one of the happiest times of my life. I was a fit young teenager then with a zest for life and fun. The people i worked with, the stories that were told and the things that were done there were just amazing. I used to push my short handled tongs up against the spinning rollers and clamp onto this red hot lump of metal that literally burst out between the rolls. Running backwards while holding onto the red hot metal, the hook man would then take up the last third of the bar as it came out of the rolls and I would then push forward as it was lifted on top of the rollers and caught by the roller himself before he and his under roller would put it back through the rollers, but this time on its edge. I would repeat the return and catch the last pass as it came out and run it out to the stacker. He and I would then quickly assess its straightness before lifting and dropping it onto its rest then rushing back just in time to catch the next bar as it came through. The whole process would be repeated 20 times a set. I wonder if anyone remembers some of the people that worked there with me: Frank "Loudmouth" Slingsby, Kieth slingsby, Dave "Chopper" Warriner, Big Walt, Pony, Harold, "Arsecooler", Bow legged Eddie, Jack Thomson, Tommy H, Cec, Nigel "the Rocker" . We used to work a two shift system 6-2 and 2-10. It was fun times all the way with this motley crew.

I used to work at Thomas Turton and Sons, Rolling Mills. Maltravers street, Effingham road area. I was there 1970-1973. I worked on the 14" mill first as cog backer then as Finish backer. We used to roll 4"x 5/8" Flat 20' - 30' long bars, it was hot gruelling, sometimes backbreaking work, but it was one of the happiest times of my life. I was a fit young teenager then with a zest for life and fun. The people i worked with, the stories that were told and the things that were done there were just amazing. I used to push my short handled tongs up against the spinning rollers and clamp onto this red hot lump of metal that literally burst out between the rolls. Running backwards while holding onto the red hot metal, the hook man would then take up the last third of the bar as it came out of the rolls and I would then push forward as it was lifted on top of the rollers and caught by the roller himself before he and his under roller would put it back through the rollers, but this time on its edge. I would repeat the return and catch the last pass as it came out and run it out to the stacker. He and I would then quickly assess its straightness before lifting and dropping it onto its rest then rushing back just in time to catch the next bar as it came through. The whole process would be repeated 20 times a set. I wonder if anyone remembers some of the people that worked there with me: Frank "Loudmouth" Slingsby, Kieth slingsby, Dave "Chopper" Warriner, Big Walt, Pony, Harold, "Arsecooler", Bow legged Eddie, Jack Thomson, Tommy H, Cec, Nigel "the Rocker" . We used to work a two shift system 6-2 and 2-10. It was fun times all the way with this motley crew.

This post brings back memories of the hard work we did but I never felt as if I was being hard done too because we all worked hard.I can see that where you worked they also had some good nicknames.Ours were Cockeyes,Herculese,Asre bandit,Jimmy Cagney,Tashy,Garth,Finger John,Sh@@gy,Smelly,Toulouse le sneck,Clarence, the cockeyed lion etc.etc.Great days.

Does anyone remember the Power cuts that Occurred during the early seventies? Edward Heath and his Tory Government implemented them. It was a weird feeling when all power was lost and you were working your set, the rolls suddenly slowed down, and then the pulleys just stopped. It was panic stations trying to roll out the billet that was already on the rolls, the roller shouting out commands, Ha ha, in the end we sometimes just had to give in and end up chopping the bar up. We all used to gather around the furnace then to keep warm and drink tea, and play cards til the power came back on. Everybody pulled together though, because we still had to get the work done and our quota met by the end of the week. Dark times, but Happy days.

hello i worked in the rolling mills nearly all my life from 1955 they were sheet mills

worked at kenyons johnny woods george clarks had lot of great times and wages lol

Has anyone seen this? http://www.songsofsteel.com

It's a history project they've been doing about Steelos and Parkgate in Rotherham. They have a film with old archive footage coming out. It's an interesting website. There's also a performance at the Rotherham Civic on March 14th.

I received this message by email: "hello pulse room do i know u i worked at hobson houghton on saville st with my brothers mt name is myers there was tom doug and ray and the foremans name was alex moore i worked in the big mill hope i know u". However I cannot respond to you by email because of your security? I can remember you, I worked in the big mill also and remeber Alex Moore very well, he was a great guy. I remember Taffi, John Cutts and I think the name of the roller was Hague. I was about 20 years of age and had blond hair.

Please get in touch if possible.

Ian

hello ian it must have been around the same time i remember taffa and john cutts the rollers name wae arther hague also they were joe bryan cyril clark and many mare i have not put on wen finished we used to go in the hole in the wall 4 a pint take care ian tom

:love::love:I received this message by email: "hello pulse room do i know u i worked at hobson houghton on saville st with my brothers mt name is myers there was tom doug and ray and the foremans name was alex moore i worked in the big mill hope i know u". However I cannot respond to you by email because of your security? I can remember you, I worked in the big mill also and remeber Alex Moore very well, he was a great guy. I remember Taffi, John Cutts and I think the name of the roller was Hague. I was about 20 years of age and had blond hair.

Please get in touch if possible.

Ian

Maybe we could meet up Tom, I'll be in Sheffield on Friday this week during the day, I'll be going up Eccleshall Road to a music shop. I can meet you anywhere in sheffield once I have been there. It would be good to talk about times at Hobson Houghton.

I remember on nights we used to cut pieces off Sulfuric acid and throw it in the Don and it exploded. Lots of good times there and in Hole in the Wall after and sometimes before work.

I met John and Phillip Cutts last year on Phillips 60th birthday, he put me up for the night, he lives in Mosborough. At the time of working at H H I lived in Beighton and travelled to Sheffield on the 25 bus to pond st.

It would be nice to meet you Tom. Let me know, I can give you my telephone number to make contact.

Ian

hello ian sorry i will not be able two meet you on friday the caravan will be open at skeegyi will be spending a lot off summer down therewith my wife and family i speak to cyril wright a lot on face book i also see adrian cropper a lot in the peaks keep in touch ian take care tom

hello ukebby i rember your dad very well we used 2 work to gether at hobson houghton in the sixties i ve know your dad all my life hope he is still well ask him if he still rembers tom ray and doug myers tell him all the best from some old friends by 4 now

hello ukebby i rember your dad very well we used 2 work to gether at hobson houghton in the sixties i ve know your dad all my life hope he is still well ask him if he still rembers tom ray and doug myers tell him all the best from some old friends by 4 now

I remember your name he used to mention you and Doug, he's 75 but still likes his pint and horses.

worked at kenyons johnny woods george clarks had lot of great times and wages lol

Was that the Kenyons at loxley? I and my cousin worked there 1969-70. Will always remember the day a lad called Steve Brown slipped and got is boot ripped off in the rolls along with is toes.
He was a lucky lad if it hadn't been fpr his quick thinking mate also called Steve he may have gone all the way. Happy days hey!!
I started my working life in the mill at Andrews Toledo Neepsend 1963, finished up as the cog backer on the 8 1/2" mill.

apuq98@dsl.pipex.comI have unearthed an album presented to James Amour on his retirement from FVSS Ltd June 30th, 1954. Photo of him with Tommy Dewar and George Ashton. The album contains the names of 177 colleagues with whom James was associated for a number of years. It also contains their signatures together with details of where they worked (Shepcote Lane, Firth Vickers, Strip Mill). R Stevens is shown as a Cost Clerk. This could well be Ron who was computer manager at SLRM when I worked there 1970/72.The album came with my father to North Wales when he retired from SLRM in 1972. He doesnt want the album and if I can trace any descendants of James Amour, I will post it to them.

Mike, I am one of two grandsons of James and Georgina Amour and most excited about your post!
I have two photos (inc presentation image A-1835) of James Amour's retirement and would very much appreciate the album you referred to.

He had one brother (William Amour) and two daughters, Jean & Marie. My mother, Jean Amour (1913-1999) married a farmer (Brian Campbell 1912-2000) from Skipsea, E. Yorks in 1938 and, 6 months after my birth, in Oct 1946, they sold High Skirlington Farm and moved to farm at Gwithian in Cornwall.
James & Georgina Amour retired Cornwall to be nearer us, first to St. Mawes and later they moved to Carbis Bay (St Ives). His wife Georgina died in 1960 and James died in 1964.
My elder sister (Patricia Amour Campbell, born 1936) remembers Sheffield as she was very close to James & Georgina Amour. I am the photographer & printer in the family; I would love to scan the album and pass it on to Pat for her family to preserve.
William, James and Georgina Amour attended the wedding in Eire of my younger sister, Georgina Nixon (Nee Georgina Amour Campbell, 1948) and I am sure she will be excited about the album!

I very much hope this finds you alive & well!

Yours sincerely,
Andrew Amour Campbell,
11 Harbour Terrace, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 2AN.
Mob: 07866 101025.
[as you can see 'Amour' was retained in our family, probably because neither James or William had sons to carry the name forward]

apuq98@dsl.pipex.com

Mike, I am one of two grandsons of James and Georgina Amour and most excited about your post!
I have two photos (inc presentation image A-1835) of James Amour's retirement and would very much appreciate the album you referred to.

He had one brother (William Amour) and two daughters, Jean & Marie. My mother, Jean Amour (1913-1999) married a farmer (Brian Campbell 1912-2000) from Skipsea, E. Yorks in 1938 and, 6 months after my birth, in Oct 1946, they sold High Skirlington Farm and moved to farm at Gwithian in Cornwall.
James & Georgina Amour retired Cornwall to be nearer us, first to St. Mawes and later they moved to Carbis Bay (St Ives). His wife Georgina died in 1960 and James died in 1964.
My elder sister (Patricia Amour Campbell, born 1936) remembers Sheffield as she was very close to James & Georgina Amour. I am the photographer & printer in the family; I would love to scan the album and pass it on to Pat for her family to preserve.
William, James and Georgina Amour attended the wedding in Eire of my younger sister, Georgina Nixon (Nee Georgina Amour Campbell, 1948) and I am sure she will be excited about the album!

I very much hope this finds you alive & well!

Yours sincerely,
Andrew Amour Campbell,
11 Harbour Terrace, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 2AN.
Mob: 07866 101025.
[as you can see 'Amour' was retained in our family, probably because neither James or William had sons to carry the name forward]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your post. Regret to say my father died last year and in going through his effects, I have failed, so far, to find the aforementioned album. I think he 'lent' it to a former colleague of his, Jeff Edwards, who lives in Stranraer. If so, as I am visiting Jeff in August, I can 'borrow' it back. The album was, in fact, given to my father by James Amour's granddaughter Allison when he and Jeff were in Madeira around 2006. I still have piles of Dad's belongings to search through and I will contact you by 'phone in the near future. The only photo I have found so far is of James being presented with a retirement gift by Tommy Dewar. I will post you a copy ASAP. Kind regards, Mike.

My dad Joe Rowley was a grinder at Firth Vickers Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills. He was Secretary of the Football Club and I remember going to a few matches with him and collecting dirty socks! I have a 'photo of him and the team. He was only 49 when he died in 1960, I was 16 at the time. Does anyone remember him??

Peter.

My late husbend, Norman Longstone worked in the rollingmills, on clay wheels, any one remember him

Does anyone remember the Dutchman who worked at the old Swift's Rolling Mill in Loxley Bottom?

Hi my dad worked at Ibbotsons, George Clarks, John Woods, Woodhead Components and Apollo Steels, in 60's, 70's and 80's. :thumbsup:

hi mandi i worked at george clarks on penistone rd there was bar mill and sheet mill there was a fork truck driver called Derick who only had one leg

I worked at Sheffield Rolling Mills, Millsand, Off Ladies Bridge, if memory serves me i was on SK2, running out, back in the 70s

I worked there in the early 50s on the 3 high and the far west and the SK1.

In 1967 I worked as Hook man at Hemmings Bar mill, Grange lane, I was made redundant about a year later when it closed, but they kept the wire mill working for a few more years.
I remember punching a hole in the top of a Tin of soup, and standing it on top of the furnace for Dinner, also toasting my sandwiches we had a extra long toasting fork,just opened the furnace door for 8 seconds and they were done to a turn !!!

hi apollo I worked @ bedford steels effingham rd 1978 to 1982.
I worked on two different sized mills an eight inch duo and a 9 inch prial the company also had a twelve inch double duo i think which i believe is still running. all hard hot work which ever mill you was on.
done most jobs such as cog backing back and front finnish backing aka
running out. pulling out on the furnace. straightening etc. as a matter of interest sir henry cooper once put my tongs through the rolls doing some promo work for the company i was on the later shift so i could not chastise him for it. I remember them leaving us beer and food how many companies
would let you have a few beers while at work these days?
any one else work here ? .

I was an electrician at Arthur Lee & Sons (Crown Works) in the wire & rod hot rolling dep't and wire drawing mill 1957-1961. AL&S RIP

stevenorfolk - do you remember the electrician at Hemmings, Alan Jones? I think he left some time around early seventies.
Also a very friendly youngish guy who drove a three wheeler - maybe an early Reliant.
I believe Hemmings also had a place around Fox Hill/Wadsley area.