Anyone around who worked in the Optical Works of Leadbeater and Peters, Convent Walk then Meadow St 1944 -1962?

Hi, I did not work there myself, but a very good friend of mind was there for years, it would be around the 1960s. His first name was Sid and I think he used to 'grind' the lens, I may be using an incorrect term!

He married later in life and the last I heard from his wife was that he had a stroke and was in a care home and not expected to come out. He would be about eighty now.

Thanks vilink, there were two who worked there in my time,Sid Nowell,and Sid Nicholson,who I think is the one you refer to.
Sid worked the surfacing department,which ground and polished the lenses which fits in with your description of "grinding",he was a bit of a loner,used to go hiking every Sunday in Derbyshire,20 miles was a short stroll for Sid,did National Service in the RAF as a Medic,and if I remember rightly he was stationed at Cranwell

I think my next door neighbour from the 50s used to work there.
I cannot remember his first name ,maybe Frank or Harry Mills.
At the time we lived in Wordsworth Ave

Sorry, think we've got the wrong Sid, his name was Sid Collins, he was certainly a loner, but a very good violin player, he left L&P to study music full time and then became a music teacher.

I cannot think of this Sid hiking! I'm sure someone else will be in touch with you when they see your message because, as you know L&P were on Convent Walk for a very long time, I well remember being taken there for my specs as a little boy.

My dad used to use L&P as a curse when he hit his thumb etc rather than swear in front of us impressionable kids. Interesting to know what it really meant!

Of course vilink I remember Sid Collins,silly me!!!he used to do the glazing,that is warming the plastic frames then putting the lenses in then plunging them into cold water,Sid worked in this next department to where I worked,I remember him very very well,and am sorry to hear of his problems,as you say an excellent violinist and if I remember correctly he used to travel to Manchester to have lessons from the then first violinist of the Halle Orchestra.
A good workmate was Sid always ready with a joke or witticisim,and,he helped me out of a few scrapes when I had made the lenses a fraction on the small side,he would fiddle and faddle to make them fit.
My apologies for forgetting a good mate,but,it is a very very long time ago

My first job as an apprentice electrician was helping to install the machinery at meadow st