Firth Vickers stainless steel, Staybrite works, Weedon Street Tinsley

[johnpm 18]

My dad Jim Moore worked at Firth Vickers from 1930 - 1980 (apart from war service). He started as office boy at Weedon St & moved on to installation of Hot Mill (at Shepcote Lane) where he became assistant mill manager. Then he bacame Stores Manager but after a period of ill health in the late 1950's went into Purchasing until 1978 when he moved into Engineers records .Anyone knew him?

[PeterR 10]

Hello, I currently work at President Buildings on the former Firth-Brown site. My great granddad (John Longden) used to work here too and I recently found his long service certificate dated September 1939!

 

I'd like to buy some cutlery for the office (knives/forks/spoons) made by Firth-Brown. There’s lots of cutlery on the internet which says it’s “Firth Staybrite” cutlery, but it often also has another different company’s name on it too. I’m assuming this is when Firth-Brown/Firth-Vickers made their 18/8 stainless steel at the Weedon Street “Staybrite Works” and sold the raw material to other cutlery manufacturers. I’ve seen “Atlas Firth Staybrite” cutlery (red writing, cream boxes, red inserts), which sounds like it might be a Firth own brand, but I’ve also seen these boxes marked “Arthur Price”, so I’m still confused.

 

Does anyone know what cutlery, if any, Firth-Brown/Firth-Vickers actually made themselves?

 

Hello crossland86,

 

Coincidentally, in 1961/3 I worked in what are now 'The President Buildings' and which was the Head Office at the former massive Firth Brown's site.

 

Sorry but I can't recall any connection with cutlery. Most items were massive and weighed many tons. There was a light machine shop in the building next to you with the big stainless steel spider on the wall, but even the items machined there were much bigger items than the blanks the size of cutlery which were supplied by steelmakers to the cutlery trade and were finished by the 'Little Mesters'. My Grandfather was one.

 

I was as a clerk in Forgings Sales Dept. in 1961/3. The office was on the top floor just left of the still existing number 36 gate when facing 'The President Buildings' from Saville Street East. Prior to that in 1959/61 I was in Progress and Planning Dept. which was in a now demolished higher block of offices and is now a car park just behind 'The President Buildings'. The two blocks were connected by an overhead covered passageway from the still existing wooden structure attached to the back of the building, on the top floor. I finally left the Company in 1966 and often look around the old area remembering the old times and friends.

 

Here are a couple of photos I snapped in 1990. The first is 36 gate where I had worked in the offices first floor left.

The second one is the main entrance, under the canopy, which is now demolished. The remainder of the building to the right remains.(36 gate in far distance):-

 

 

 

Have you looked on the thread 'Anyone worked at Firth Browns ?' ??

 

Regards, Peter.

Edited August 15, 2015 by PeterR

[mikeG 16]

My dad Jim Moore worked at Firth Vickers from 1930 - 1980 (apart from war service). He started as office boy at Weedon St & moved on to installation of Hot Mill (at Shepcote Lane) where he became assistant mill manager. Then he bacame Stores Manager but after a period of ill health in the late 1950's went into Purchasing until 1978 when he moved into Engineers records .Anyone knew him?

My Dad, Eric George, was Hot & Cold Rolling Mill Manager at Shepcote Lane in the 50's and I definitely heard him refer to Jimmy Moore who was no doubt, your Dad.

[PeterR 10]

Hi crossland86,

 

Have you checked your pm box ??

[whissiewoo 10]

My late brother frank monks worked at firth Vickers as a metallurgist in the foundry from leaving school. He died in a motorbike accident on weedon street in 1973 aged 30. At his funeral his work colleagues and hockey team former a guard of honor.

[RiPPear 10]

My father and grandfather both worked at the Garter Street Plant of Firth Vickers during 50's and 60's, both in their time foreman maintenance fitters. Both used to take us down to the plant occasionally on a Saturday morning to see that the scheduled weekend maintenance work was moving along. Always remember the Pattern Shop at the top of Garter Street on the right (going up) and the security office with the clocking in machines on the left by the centrifugal casting foundry.

[PeterR 10]

My late brother frank monks worked at firth Vickers as a metallurgist in the foundry from leaving school. He died in a motorbike accident on weedon street in 1973 aged 30. At his funeral his work colleagues and hockey team former a guard of honor.

 

Hi whissiewoo,

 

Such a sad story. From the information you give, your brother Frank and I were the same age.

 

My Dad worked at Shepcote Lane Rolling Mills and died aged 49 in 1960. He was Secretary to the football club and, as with your brother, members of the team also formed a guard of honour to escort the funeral cortege along our road. I was so proud.

See page 1 post 10 on this thread.

 

Peter.

Edited November 26, 2015 by PeterR

[Petesteadman 11]

Don't know if anyone is still looking at these posts - I have just come across them. I worked at Firth Vickers Staybright on Weedon Street 1974 to 1977 in engineers shop. Some really good lads in there George Cottam (already mentioned) Paul and Dave Bugdall, Jimmy Stringer, Don Cargill (he came to my wedding) - good memories

Pete

[djanddj 10]

Hi petesteadman do you remember Dave Hague worked there 1970 to 1977 in engineers.:

[Petesteadman 11]

Hi petesteadman do you remember Dave Hague worked there 1970 to 1977 in engineers.:

 

Hi Dave - good to hear from you. Yes I remember you living at Rawmarsh. Hope you are well

Pete

[djanddj 10]

Yes keeping myself fit not long till retirement hope your'e well

[johnlittle 10]

Hello, my father was Sydney (Sid ) Thompson and he worked in the offices at Firth Vickers all his working life retiring as a result of ill-heath in about 1970. He died in 1977. Working there meant a great deal to him and I believe he had something to do with a national savings scheme and was probably in an operatic society with my late mother ( possibly Firth Browns?). At the time of his retirement I believe changes were taking place and by his death apparently no-one was still employed who would have remembered him.