Did you work at twist drill at anytime. I worked in work study from 1969 to 1978. My former Bosses were Maurice Owens and Pat Hopwood.

My grandpa worked there for fifty-odd years, man and boy.

He retired in about 1978/9.

He worked on the actual lathes, turning the drill bits.

he worked there during the war, (It was a 'reserved occupation' but he had a disabilty, so he could not have joined the forces anyway)

He told the tales of firewatching, from the roof of the factory, during air raids.

The firewatcher stood, on the roof, in a metal contraption which looked like a cross between a torpedo and an "iron maiden" it had slits at "eye" level, so you could see out. it was not very big, about big enough to take one person.

It must have been terrifying. I know there were hits from the bombs very close to the factory, cos the house I lived in, a few hundred yards away from Dormer's factory suffered structural damage from a bomb.

PT

PT what was his name?

His name was Harold Turner.

He was distinctive, as he was very blond of hair, and walked with a limp, due to a bad ankle. (his walking was like he had a false leg, because the joint had been surgically fused )

He also only had half an ear.

PT

Think he workrd in the Production Turners dept

My dad worked there for a while. From about 69 til 71 I think before moving to Hadfields

my ex hubby worked there for a number of years,his name is steve taylor,also know vaughan biggins,alan brown,kevin brown,pete douglas,just a few i remember.

Remember Alan Brown he was a supervisor on the Roll Forge Inspection team.

Originally posted by desy
Think he workrd in the Production Turners dept

He was definitely into the production of Turners. lol

He personally produced three Turners, that I know of:-

My dad, and my two uncles, "unca Kembo" and Unca Pip-pip! lol

Who were, in their turn responsible for the production of seven Turners between them, (who have in Their turn, produced twelve -at the last count!- Turners of their own!)

chuckles!

PT

Bit thick didn't think of it that way

I was an electrician there for several years man and girl. I remember a lot of the fitters, but none of the machine operators. Left before they started moving away from Summerfield St.

MY DAD ,SISTER AND A FEW OF THE RELATIVES WORKED THERE GILLOTTS , ORWINS AND A LOT MORE.THE CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR THE KIDS IN THE 50,s AND 60,s WERE GREAT .LOTS OF MEMORIES.

I remember a story about the Japanese sending a drill to Twist Drill with a note saying that " This is the smallest diameter drill in the world". The people at Twist Drill sent it back with a hole drilled through its entire length and a note saying "No this is!"

Originally posted by desy
Bit thick didn't think of it that way

No, I know, desy, not to worry, it's quite funny, that my granpa was a Turner by name, and a turner by trade.

I also have a friend who is called Cooper and he was actually a cooper, (barrel maker!).

By the way, excellent story, magneteer i love that one-upmanship (*cheering*).
lol

PT

yes they used to send all the workers kids to the pantomine each year as well.

I remember in the early sixties, they used to put on a brilliant Christmas Show for us kids in the works canteen.

A few of the young lads that were apprentices when I was down there.
Mark Nankowik(think thats how they spelt it).
The girls liked him he was a big lad.

Alex Marsden
David Shepherd
Lewis Thompson

hi, plain talker when you said earlier you knew a barrel maker called cooper it wouldn`t be eric cooper by any chance would it?

Originally posted by holberry
hi, plain talker when you said earlier you knew a barrel maker called cooper it wouldn`t be eric cooper by any chance would it?

Knowing him it's probably Tommy Cooper

yes Holberry, it is!
:)

PT

hi , plain talker small world innit have`nt seen eric for few years he lived at norton lees ( nearer meersbrook ) I knew him from the days when my dad had pubs ( which incidently you posted a reply to one of my earlier post`s regarding the weston park hotel summer st ,) and also in relation to this thread my father worked for a short time at james neil`s in between running pubs and made many friends from twist drill in the pub at lunch time. my cousin rita edwards had the rising sun on pear st where many twist drill lads called

Doe anyone remember colin from twist drill?

There was the time when the shop steward absconded with all the members subs he had taken.

I worked at Dormer/SKF from 1981 to 92, leaving from the Holbrook plant and remember to tale about the drill from japan.

Few names of my era and age range were, Martin Mitchell,
Phil Bearman, Glynn Booker, Mick Silenti. whoose dad was Robert, Mark and Neil Crossley, sons of pat and maurice and Neil Dalton.

Works managers were pennington and woolhouse, loads of fun playing cat and mouse around the place with them, rather than working:P

Had a great time working with some real characters, still tell tales of the "old days", now I'm 40!

When I was last there Mick Penningto was Work Study Manager and Albert Woolhouse was Roll Forge Manager.

Also remember Maurice Crossley Shop Steward / Referee

I've worked at Dormer and still do since 1978.

Here's some names for you.
Bill Hodkin
Cyril Clay
Denis Yeardley
Ray Hill
Ron Hill
Alan Bottomely
Pete Carnell
Ernest Moat
Tony & Margaret Boot
Terry Cahill
Richard Grayson
Bob Tideswell
Ian frankish
Ron Pegg
Kevin Smith
Tony Morton
Keith Mitchell
Kevin Bottom
all have moved on.

Still there from the old days
Alan Brown
Stuart Gray
Mick Drabble
Graham Brammer
Richard Lill
Steve Tedds
Kevin Holloway
Andy Maxwell
Dave Poole
Tony Cowley
Alan Wood
& Dobbin

It's still a flourishing company, now part of the Sandvik multinational. However it has now moved out of Sheffield to Worksop.

Originally posted by stateside200
Doe anyone remember colin from twist drill?

Is that Colin Shaw?

whilst in the dentist on friday i bumped into old barry wright he used to work there as well.

My late uncle, George McHugh worked at Twist Drill though I don't know in what capacity. He also did commissionaire work including at SWFC.

Does anyone remember a Glenda Fearnehough who worked at the plant 'round about the late-50's?

hi I worked at the Twist drill i think about mid 50s i was in despatch i left in 1961 and moved to Worksop to get married.Can anyone remember Mary Marsden red head she was also in despatch .Edith addy was there at the time.The boss was Bob Cliffe

can anyone remember a Diane Walton she used to work in the offices and her father alf worked on the shop floor 60s early 70s
sadly Alf is no longer with us.
desperate to contact Diane tried friends reunited :help:

Originally posted by fridgeman
can anyone remember a Diane Walton she used to work in the offices and her father alf worked on the shop floor 60s early 70s
sadly Alf is no longer with us.
desperate to contact Diane tried friends reunited :help:

someone thinks she married some guy named cooper john/jack/jim ? anyone shed any light on this.

think they used to live on bocking lane and sometimes stayed at a smallholding in scotland, he were always talking of emigrating to scotland.

hi my dad and uncle worked there quite a few years ago though peter calvert and ron stapleton anyone no them

know but I worked at james neils across the road from them worked first in the melting shop then into the hack saw blade department on the heat treatment.

james neil?? anyone know ray or wayne bridges?

someone thinks she married some guy named cooper john/jack/jim ? anyone shed any light on this.

think they used to live on bocking lane and sometimes stayed at a smallholding in scotland, he were always talking of emigrating to scotland.


getting really desperate now think this is the last resort, need to contact diane regarding her family, anyone help??

Don't know if this is the right Twist Drill.

But apparently my Great Grandad's ghost was oftenly seen at The Twist Drill factory? But apparently somebody told me that the factory in mention has been knocked down?

It's my Grandma's dad, His surname was Tingle???, and his ghost was oftenly seen wondering around the old factory?????

The ghost in the Brown Over-coat???

But anyway, an old colleague of my Great grandad told my granma about the ghost and she thought it was just old rumour, and got quite upset about the all thing, but a recent book " A ghost-hunter's guide to Sheffield", had a feature about my great-grandad in it, so my nan decide to write to the author "Valerie Salim" about my Great Grandad!.

So...........

Does anybody have any stories about my Great-Grandad's ghost???

Does anybody actually re-call my great-grandad Tingle???

Look forward to your replies!

Matt

The firewatcher stood, on the roof, in a metal contraption which looked like a cross between a torpedo and an "iron maiden" it had slits at "eye" level, so you could see out. it was not very big, about big enough to take one person.

PT

Follow the link to what your grandpa stood in during the war. It is a video of the actual firewatchers 'torpedo' he stood in. Sadley the building was knocked down years ago.

Dormer Firewatcher's Torpedo (http://www.btinternet.com/~howard.longden/Firewatcher.mov)

getting really desperate now think this is the last resort, need to contact diane regarding her family, anyone help??

:help: :help: someone surely must have known one of these two people, anyone remember them, have contacted the sally army apparently they have a lost person/find a person section where for a small fee they will locate people for you, i'm just trying to be quicker in locating these people before it's too late.

james neil?? anyone know ray or wayne bridges?

Yes - Ray retired years ago, Wayne is still there. Spoke to him just a couple of days ago.

:help: :help: :help:

urgent due to one of the family in hospital (hdu) so anyone with any info please pm

hi fridgeman

look at http://www.b4usearch.com/
it lists 14 diane waltons for sheffield
hopefully it may help

thanks last orders, been on all weekend to no avail.
reason for trying to contact Diane or John family member in hospital, doctors have given us no hope so it,s just a matter of time.

My mother and father (Nellie & Jack Copeland) worked there for a number of years in the 50's and 60's. Dad was a fitter and turner, Mum worked in the office.

I'd previously worked at Martins Dry Cleaners, Fitzalan Square but Mum and Dad thought I'd be better off working where they were.

I found the work a bit boring as it was mainly paper work so after 12 months duty returned to my previous job at Martins.

Dad got his 25 years service watch in 1970. He and Mum have since passed away - 1970's.

I worked there first as a drill straightener and then as a painter,my brother worked there as a fitter.Dormer owned it then,bloody awful place,what I would imagine prison to be like.

My brother told me a story about his foreman always going round to the toilets to see if the fitters were skiving off. One day my brother found an old pair of wellies and put them in front of the pew then locked the door with a bit of wire. The foreman was going spare in and out of the bog shouting names and threats until finally he came out of the toilet and discovered all the fitters present but the wellies still there.

I worked there first as a drill straightener and then as a painter,my brother worked there as a fitter.Dormer owned it then,bloody awful place,what I would imagine prison to be like.

My brother told me a story about his foreman always going round to the toilets to see if the fitters were skiving off. One day my brother found an old pair of wellies and put them in front of the pew then locked the door with a bit of wire. The foreman was going spare in and out of the bog shouting names and threats until finally he came out of the toilet and discovered all the fitters present but the wellies still there.

That sounds like the perfect April fool joke to play on someone! lol

PT

I worked there first as a drill straightener and then as a painter,my brother worked there as a fitter.Dormer owned it then,bloody awful place,what I would imagine prison to be like.

My brother told me a story about his foreman always going round to the toilets to see if the fitters were skiving off. One day my brother found an old pair of wellies and put them in front of the pew then locked the door with a bit of wire. The foreman was going spare in and out of the bog shouting names and threats until finally he came out of the toilet and discovered all the fitters present but the wellies still there.

Did you work? when the painters were Jim Smith,Charlie Smith and Herbert Buckley (ex-Father in Law).

I can't remeber any names except Striker who painted the machines hence the name,a striker is a radiator brush which he used all the time. The boss was a little fat man with short trousers. My mates worked there Pete Elliott,Jack Glossop (died young) and Derek Nicholson all off Fentonville St.This was around '50-51.:D

My mother and father (Nellie & Jack Copeland) worked there for a number of years in the 50's and 60's. Dad was a fitter and turner, Mum worked in the office.

I'd previously worked at Martins Dry Cleaners, Fitzalan Square but Mum and Dad thought I'd be better off working where they were.

I found the work a bit boring as it was mainly paper work so after 12 months duty returned to my previous job at Martins.

Dad got his 25 years service watch in 1970. He and Mum have since passed away - 1970's.

Yes making twist drills is boring,mind it's meant to be.

thanks last orders, been on all weekend to no avail.
reason for trying to contact Diane or John family member in hospital, doctors have given us no hope so it,s just a matter of time.


family member sadly passed away on saturday evening in the macmillan palative care unit at the northern genral hospital, staff fantastic.
never did contact Diane, sad really. :(

my dad was CEx there until he died in 1970s - Norman Waple. What was he like to work for?

He was ok Aidrian

Anyone got re-collections of 'Big Den' who worked in the Mill?

my dad was CEx there until he died in 1970s - Norman Waple. What was he like to work for?

I'll ask Big Den to let you know.

I didnt work directly for Norman Waple, But I can tell you that as far as I`m aware he had the interests of STD close to his heart and under his stewardship strove to keep independant control of the company even though it was owned by SKF. It was after he died that everything went to pot. Big D.

Snout. - Big D. - Was in the perfect position to judge and know your late father. - Never be in any doubt. - Bert Smith

family member sadly passed away on saturday evening in the macmillan palative care unit at the northern genral hospital, staff fantastic.
never did contact Diane, sad really. :(

would still like to contact diane walton or cooper even through a third party,
funeral on tuesday 7th november at the south chappel grenoside at 11.30.

do you know alan and kevin brown or vaughan biggins?

Don't know if this is the right Twist Drill.

But apparently my Great Grandad's ghost was oftenly seen at The Twist Drill factory? But apparently somebody told me that the factory in mention has been knocked down?

It's my Grandma's dad, His surname was Tingle???, and his ghost was oftenly seen wondering around the old factory?????

The ghost in the Brown Over-coat???

But anyway, an old colleague of my Great grandad told my granma about the ghost and she thought it was just old rumour, and got quite upset about the all thing, but a recent book " A ghost-hunter's guide to Sheffield", had a feature about my great-grandad in it, so my nan decide to write to the author "Valerie Salim" about my Great Grandad!.

So...........

Does anybody have any stories about my Great-Grandad's ghost???

Does anybody actually re-call my great-grandad Tingle???

Look forward to your replies!

Mattwas his name Arthur

do you know alan and kevin brown or vaughan biggins?

Yep, I know them all. I also knew Alan and Kevins father Ben.

i used to be married to steve taylor who worked there for quite a few yrs,do you know him as well,i would think you do if you know the others.

i used to be married to steve taylor who worked there for quite a few yrs,do you know him as well,i would think you do if you know the others.

There were two Steve Taylors, but I think you mean Steve from Hillsborough. Yes I know him. I used to work the nightshift with him. He worked on the CNC lathes. Nice guy, but he hated nights.

yes hal we did live at hillsborough,yes he did hate nights but we needed the money,needs must.

Did you work at twist drill at anytime. I worked in work study from 1969 to 1978. My former Bosses were Maurice Owens and Pat Hopwood.
My dad George Szumski worked there up until his death in 1984. He worked in the Hardeners Department for almost 36 years.

Go here (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=hal9001) to see video footage of the Summerfield St factory in 1991. It is amazing how far the manufacturing has come in 16 years. Almost all the processes shown have been improved or superseeded by better processes.

Is there anyone there you recognise?

my dad worked there in fluting frank barker. got me a job when i left school in 1970, end up on tool +cutter grinders name mick.

my dad worked there for many many years as a supervisor before he tragicaly died.

Joe Wright any one remember him??

Did any of you Dormer guys buy your news papers from Ron Hall, or go for a meat pie and peas at the little shop on Summerfield Street, just above the Summerfield Pub.

Yes my father was also in the fellowship of services with Ron also.

Do anyone of you remember colin marshall?

family member sadly passed away on saturday evening in the macmillan palative care unit at the northern genral hospital, staff fantastic.
never did contact Diane, sad really. :(

still trying to contact diane or john anyone any information?

My Auntie worked at Twist Drill in the 1960's, her name was Helen Shand, but we always called her Auntie Cordy.

my dad worked there in fluting frank barker. got me a job when i left school in 1970, end up on tool +cutter grinders name mick.

I remember Frankie Woof-Woof as Kevin Smith used to call him.

Do anyone of you remember colin marshall?

I remember Colin, big hair and skinny but a really nice lad. Is he a relation/friend?

My grandad used to work a twist drill his name was Maurice Baxter. He met my grandma there her name was Rose Ware. I can remember them telling me tales of a guy called 'little Billy' they used to pick him up and hang him by his coller onto coat hooks and cover him with a coat for a joke.

Does anyone recall any of these names?

Did little billy work on the Roll Forge (Bill Aistrop)

My mum (Doris) worked in the offices for years in the 60's & 70's, she loved working there.

An old mate of mine (Dennis Mansel) worked 'man & boy' in the stores until they shut the place down.

My Dad worked at Sheffield Twist Drill - His name was Tony Day and I belive he retired around 13 years ago right before they movd the firm to another location. he is still going strong and lives in Halfway

worked at dormer 31 years,with Tony Day,Brown brothers,the 2 Steve Taylors and many more.Had some great times socially.

worked at dormer 31 years,with Tony Day,Brown brothers,the 2 Steve Taylors and many more.Had some great times socially.

can you reveal your name then,will ask steve if he remembers you,are you going out tonight with them all,think they are going to town.

Does anyone remember any of the electricians at STD ? What a fine bunch of highly skilled blokes, keeping the machines working to a high standard, both days and nights, and they produced a cracking 5 a side football team too.

My name is Brian,Steve will know me,havnt seen him in a while though.

My name is Brian,Steve will know me,havnt seen him in a while though.

your not brian who lived in ecclesfield are you?

your not brian who lived in ecclesfield are you?

Your not far out,i lived in Chapeltown.I wasnt out with them on Friday,I was
in London for the weekend watching The Blades stay in the Premiership.

Your not far out,i lived in Chapeltown.I wasnt out with them on Friday,I was
in London for the weekend watching The Blades stay in the Premiership.

is it HOLMES?

Yes I remember Brian Holmes

Your not far out,i lived in Chapeltown.I wasnt out with them on Friday,I was
in London for the weekend watching The Blades stay in the Premiership.

wernt you steves gaffer,i think i remember going to a party at your house,a long time ago though

Most of this thread seems to be about factory staff, but what about the office workers? I started in CSD under Bob Cliffe in the old offices, which were moved to the new block. Other names that spring to mind are Gordon Robinson, Austin Traynor, Stuart Bowles, Sandra Rabjohn, Steph Jackson, Joyce West, John, Pip, Peggy, June, and Steve (can't remember their surnames at the moment), and the lovely Gladys Lemons. Anyone remember Mary Hill and Mary Parker? There are others who's faces I can picture but can't put a name to right now. I still sometimes see Dave Ball, who ran the printing dept for a while with his dad Harry. Someone mentioned the works study group, and Pat Hopwood in an earlier message. Didn't he finish up getting locked up?

I've worked at Dormer and still do since 1978.

Here's some names for you.
Bill Hodkin
Cyril Clay
Denis Yeardley
Ray Hill
Ron Hill
Alan Bottomely
Pete Carnell
Ernest Moat
Tony & Margaret Boot
Terry Cahill
Richard Grayson
Bob Tideswell
Ian frankish
Ron Pegg
Kevin Smith
Tony Morton
Keith Mitchell
Kevin Bottom
all have moved on.

Still there from the old days
Alan Brown
Stuart Gray
Mick Drabble
Graham Brammer
Richard Lill
Steve Tedds
Kevin Holloway
Andy Maxwell
Dave Poole
Tony Cowley
Alan Wood
& Dobbin

It's still a flourishing company, now part of the Sandvik multinational. However it has now moved out of Sheffield to Worksop.



can you plz tell me if you knew bashir ahmed and abdul rashid.

thankyou

My mum (Doris) worked in the offices for years in the 60's & 70's, she loved working there.

An old mate of mine (Dennis Mansel) worked 'man & boy' in the stores until they shut the place down.

Dennis Mansel lived on Priory road, his father was a fighter pilot during the war and worked at the twist as a manager but I don't know his position. Both a little bit on the heavy side.

My brother Brian Kay was a fitter there for years, he had an ancient motorbike and lived in Crookes. He had a famous act singing Mule Train which he still performs but sadly not as good as the old days.

Brian Kay gave us (maintenance) his rendition of mule train with his fitters mate accompanying him on piano one dinner time in the Earl Grey just before the Christmas break,we had a long dinner and the forman came and turfed us out.
Dennis Mansel! his father was Colin Mansel.

Most of this thread seems to be about factory staff, but what about the office workers? I started in CSD under Bob Cliffe in the old offices, which were moved to the new block. Other names that spring to mind are Gordon Robinson, Austin Traynor, Stuart Bowles, Sandra Rabjohn, Steph Jackson, Joyce West, John, Pip, Peggy, June, and Steve (can't remember their surnames at the moment), and the lovely Gladys Lemons. Anyone remember Mary Hill and Mary Parker? There are others who's faces I can picture but can't put a name to right now. I still sometimes see Dave Ball, who ran the printing dept for a while with his dad Harry. Someone mentioned the works study group, and Pat Hopwood in an earlier message. Didn't he finish up getting locked up? I used to work under Bob Cliffe and a guy called Ken in despatch in the 50s.is that after your time:thumbsup:

Looking through this thread a few days ago prompted me to try and contact an old mate who worked there. Electrician name of John Hobson ( actually employed by H.E.Barnes but spent many years on contract at S.T.D.). I was dismayed to learn that he died 4 yrs ago from asbestos related cancer. I sent a letter of condolence to Freda, his wife via their solicitors as I had forgotten their address. I received a reply from the solicitors informing me that Freda had also died last year. Gutted.

I've sent you a P.M. but I worked with John for a few years. Don't know if you knew him through Sheffield Twist Drill or from a non work area. I also met up with him when he left Barnes' and was a foreman at Hall & Pickles.
Eeeeee Twist Drill Tricians, now there's a few stories.

Do you remeber Tomy Nicoll of Kelvin

can you plz tell me if you knew bashir ahmed and abdul rashid.

thankyou

I knew Bashir. Lovely man.

Anyone reading this thread remember James White.. Jimmy? I think he worked there in the 70's and early 80's.

Someone mentioned the works study group, and Pat Hopwood in an earlier message. Didn't he finish up getting locked up?

Yes something about creaming offmoney from dealing with scrap metal from Aldridge tools (I still have the page from the STAR). also it was also thought that he had some connection over the accountant at the time being shot in Hathersage.

Don't think Electricians had anyone to form a five a side team, the few younger "sparkies" were more interested in fishing!

I used to work under Bob Cliffe and a guy called Ken in despatch in the 50s.is that after your time:thumbsup:

I was at Twist Drill from 67-72. Started in CSD under Bob Cliffe in the old offices, and then we moved to the new block. Also worked for a while in "The School" down the road. The only Ken that springs to mind is Ken Mercer, who was always in CSD when I was there. It was rumoured at the time that he had a bit of a thing going with Christine Moss.

Don't think Electricians had anyone to form a five a side team, the few younger "sparkies" were more interested in fishing!

aaaaaargh like a dagger through the heart. Being multi skilled and super fit, the younger tricians had a variety of sporting interests. Fishing, squash, footy, chess, table tennis. And still found time to keep all the machines, (and lights) working.

my father worked there for donkeys years until he was taken away from us tragically
he was joseph wright (foreman)

Did he work in the wire mill ?

Did you work at twist drill at anytime. I worked in work study from 1969 to 1978. My former Bosses were Maurice Owens and Pat Hopwood.

my father was a foreman for donkeys years until he was killed.
his name was joseph wright ring any bells

Did he work in the wire mill ?

yes i believe he did until he took his life, he was there for years and years and never bunked off as we remember as kids.one memory we had was him coming home sticking of the hops or something from the brewery

hi, plain talker when you said earlier you knew a barrel maker called cooper it wouldn`t be eric cooper by any chance would it?

Eric Cooper (formerly a Cooper !) is my father and lives in Norton Lees

Father used to work there till about 1984 - George Matthews (mac) milling dept.

Father used to work there till about 1984 - George Matthews (mac) milling dept.

Mac was my supervisor from 1980-84.

He always said I was wasted in the milling dept. I am now an Product Development Engineer at Dormer, which proves him right.

Mac was a really nice and kind man.

Hal,

Thank you for your kind reply. My father (mac) died in October 1984, did you know?

Gillian

Anyone remember two lads in 1969 ish one was Alex Marsden had mutton chop sideboards. Also Mark Nankowik (SomePolish sounding name) had a quite attraction with the girls apparentley he was pretty well endowed.

About the smallest diameter drill bit story, didn't Alex Dormer send it over to Stanley Allcard and they put a thread down the hole ???

About the smallest diameter drill bit story, didn't Alex Dormer send it over to Stanley Allcard and they put a thread down the hole ???

Hiya my dad work at twist drill on the loading bay anyone know Danny Bilton. He worked there for years untill the company moved. seemed to remember him talking about someone called christine who lived on norfolk park. The xmas parties were at top rank when my dad was there but they were brill.