January 75 No. 1 06

THE HOUSE MAGAZINE OF RANK XEROX

The Cup that Cheets! And cheers are certainly due to our apprentices for bringing back, for the eighth time, the Rank Xerox Ltd Cup awarded annually to the firm whose apprentices produce the best collective record in course-work and examination. Apprentice Kevin James (right), who received a course prize on his own account, accepted the cup on the Company's behalf at the recent prize-giving at the West College of Further Education. Here he is celebrating its return to us, along with fellow-apprentice David Evans, who won the South Wales Institute of Engineers Shield, awarded^annualiy to the engineering student gaining the best collective ^^ourse and exaj^nation results. Apart from the cup and shield, apprentices Christopher Dean,. Richard Johnson, Mark Savagar, Terry Hook and ex-apprentLce Cjive Manns won six out of the 12 bourse prizes awarded in the Departctient of Engineering & Building, andAwo secretarial students — Caroli^n Ackary and Jane Williams — also received course prizes in the Businass ^tudies section. (More successes^arel ,y featured on pages 2 and p.) | ^/ Q

December 9 was one of winter's golden days. And the golden atmosphere permeated the restaurant in the Social Centre where a small crowd had gathered for 'a sunny occasion', as Training Manager Jack Timms put it. General Manager's 'There has been an increase in the number of people who have gained financial awards,' he announced. 'These are for certificates gained in a New Year Message course of professional studies so you might say they've reached the gold standard I' It is traditional for the The awards, totalling over £800, Mitcheldean General Manager to were handed out by General extend seasonal good wishes to Manager Ron Morfee who said : 'I am all readers of VISION at this in the company of some of the time of the year, and I am very people with the best judgment and glad to take this opportunity. talent in the place. They've had the good judgment to come and work Although the New Year should here and pursue these studies, and be a time of optimism and hope obviously have the talent to succeed. renewed, we do unfortunately have many problems casting 'I take my hat off to those who are their shadow over us this year. dedicated enough to spend their The international and national own time this way and I congratulate economic situation has not left them.' (One chap was so dedicated us untouched in terms of he went to the tech. instead of reduction in demand for our coming to receive his award I) machines, and severe cost The winners were introduced by pressures, made worse by high Training staff — the technical types inflation. first by Frank Edwards, the Many people at Mitcheldean management and supervisory by have already been affected by Wally Hammond, the secretarial by being switched from one product Kathleen Allen and the commercial by or job to another, and the need Lynne Coote, standing in for for this kind of flexibility is Roger Acland. likely to continue. Prize Note We must all recognise that we have a stake in cutting out all One of the award winners, David inefficiency and waste, so as to Jones, who recently took the keep costs of our products Materials Handling & Plant Layout down, and demand for them up. section of the Institute of Materials This is the way to preserve and Handling graduate certificate improve employment examination, also won the John opportunities in 1975. Morris Memorial Award for being the best student. That makes two of I trust that the realism and Guy Bedford's staff who have won sincerity of this message will this award — the other being Ted be accepted by all who work at Bennett who won it in 1970. Mitcheldean. If we can work together in 1975 even more (Trainee secretaries and apprentices effectively, building on the will be receiving their awards at sound foundations for mutual their own Students' Dinner & understanding and co-operation Presentation in a few weeks' time.) laid in 1974, then we shall get through our difficulties and it A/l lined up after the presentation are will be 'A Happy New Year!' {from the top down) the management and supervisory, technical, secretarial and RON MORFEE commercial award winners.

2 I n AWARD WINNERS

Management and Supervisory Full Technological Certificate — David Institute of Cost 8- Management Certificate in Industrial Management — Phelps (Reliability), Clive Manns and Roger Accountants — Part I: Paul Tucker and David Barrett (Machine Shop), Bob Miles (Engineering D.O.), David Tuffley Michael Wright (Financial Accounting); Hawking (Reliability). (TED). Parts I B II: Tony Butterworth (Financial Ordinary National Certificate — Electrical: Accounting) ; Parts II 8- III: Keith Hewitt National Examination Board for Supervisory Keith Davis and Robert Howell (both (Group Finance); Part III: Steve Knighton Studies—C\We Brookes (4000 Assembly), Design Engineering and both already have (Supply Centre). Ken Butt, Roger Preece and Tony Yelland HNC Mechanical); Science: Ton'^ lliffe (Engineering D.O.), Rafe Cherry (Goods Institute of Purchase & Supply —Final: (Reliability). Inwards Inspection), Geraint Griffiths Robert Liddington (Purchase). (Electrical Sub-assembly), Frank Tonge and Higher National Certificate — Electrical: Association of Certified Accountants — Dennis Williams (Internal Transport), Tony Tony Day, Ian Hodkinson and Derek Russan Parts I B //.Tony Rand (Group Finance). Wood (Machine Shop). (PED Electronics); Mechanical: Richard Walford (Design Engineering), Tony Walklett (TED) ; Endorsement: Michael Secretarial Technical Martindale (PED Electronics). Typing — RSA I: Susan Cooper Telecommunications — Part II : Institute of Work Study Practitioners — (Reconditioning), Gwynneth Lewis Michael Short (Design Engineering); Part I: Terry Phillips; Part II: Arthur Kelly, (Technical Library), Joy Scrivens (Financial Part III: Robert Leach (Reliability). Bill Kerr and David Powell (all Work Study). Accounting), Carol Wall (Personnel). Licentiate of the Royal Institute of Technician's Certificate — Shorthand: Anne Bedney (Machine Shop), Chemistry: Mike English (Works Laboratory). Electrical: Roger Baldwin and Stephen Pamela Douglas (PED), Sheila Tingle Davis (RED Electronics), John Davis Commercial (Elec. Sub-assembly), Anne Watts (Group (Goods Inwards). Inventory Control), Jane Williams Certificate of Office Studies — Part II: (Finishing). Electrical Installations Final: Robert Graham Arnold (Model Shop), David Jones Kempster (Works Engineering). (Materials Handling). 'O' Level English: Sheila Tingle. GOOD RESOLUTIONS

Saving through the Payroll

Save? With the cost of living being 'Then in the early 1960's the payroll what it is and inflation reducing the became computerised and we were purchasing power of anything able to operate a new type savings already saved ? What's the point ? scheme called Direct Transfer That's virtually what we said to Scheme — in other words, painless Alan Cryer when he told us that a extraction at source! savings drive is being started within Today we have 778 people at industry this month to draw attention Mitcheldean Plant participating in the to the payroll savings facilities scheme.' available. We asked Alan if he was one of The drive is being organised in them. 'I certainly am,' he said. 'I like conjunction with the National to practise what I preach I' Savings Movement and Alan is hon. group secretary for this area. The appropriate forms for saving He is also our Payments Operations through the payroll are being Manager at Mitcheldean, so he distributed. All you need do is fill knows a thing or two about cash one in as directed and the painless flow, and we thought you'd like to extraction can begin. hear his argument. January is the time for making good 'We appreciate long-term savings resolutions — and your resolution to may not be attractive today,' he told save is less likely to get broken by As a National Savings Movement us, 'but short-term purpose savings February if you let the computer official, Alan Cryer wants to see more are a different matter. Inflation or not, carry it out for you. of us saving ttie painless way. we all need to save for a purpose at some time, whether it's for getting married, or buying a house, or holidays. And there's nothing more comforting than knowing you've a Conserving our Energy bit put aside to meet any unexpected contingency. Although at the time of going to press we had not received any official 'The payroll savings facilities make it request, it was known that the possible for you to build up a Government was looking for savings account in a painless way. something like a 15 per cent cut in What happens is that you elect to our energy consumption, and that a save a sum of money, no matter how mandatory ceiling on office much, and arrange for it to be temperatures of 68°F was being deducted at source every week. considered (compared with the 63°F 'This is paid monthly into the required during the last energy crisis). Trustee Savings Bank — it's a Tony Newman, Maintenance Manager, Government-backed concern offering told us: 'We are in a better position full banking facilities, and you get an to cope this time in the light of our individual interest-bearing savings previous experience. account and a pass book. It's all 'We have been preparing a plan of confidential and you may find it helps action with Works Manager you to budget more efficiently. Don Elliott acting as co-ordinator for 'If you wish, you can opt for all energy saving exercises, and longer-term saving (for retirement, various steps have already been say) by investing the money in a taken — such as making sure all Save As You Earn contract, savings equipment is working efficiently, and certificates, etc. That is up to you. putting places like the computer 'From a Company point of view, we're block on 100 per cent standby cover. proud of having a long savings 'Come the crunch, we could put our record. Way back in the mid-1950's emergency plan into operation almost Dennis Barnard, Len Hart and at the flick of a switch !' Henry Phillips used to run a Thrift In the meantime, everyone can help Club with the help of some 12 conserve energy by collectors in the Plant. They used to collect the money and bank it and • switching off lights when not usually all of it was paid out at needed, especially when going Christmastime or for holidays. In home at night and during the fact, in 1963, the Savings Group was lunch breaks; awarded a certificate of merit by the • keeping doors and windows shut National Savings Movement for the to keep the heat in. steady increase in both membership and subscriptions. -A possible energy-saving exercise I

4 HN PEACOCK CENGINEERINO WRITES ABOUT SCREAMING THUaUGH THE "EffSSS"!

That's Terry Kavanagh at the controls of The name Bugatti is holy — among He once exclaimed modestly 'I go in the Lotus 22/31. motoring enthusiasts, that is. It to win', and you have only to see represents a great deal of noise, wide him cornering at 'Ettori's' to The lucky mascot of this Lotus team spoked aluminium wheels and a appreciate his remark. This U-shaped is Terry's wife Sally of Engineering horseshoe-shaped radiator on a blue corner at Prescott is historically Drawing Office who often threatens vintage racing car which, in Hitler's named after Ettori Bugatti whose to take the wheel on practice days — early days, could win any motor race beautifully designed cars were but she admits it's mainly a man's in Europe. constructed at Molsheim in France. sport! The war caused the production of A superb and particularly fast racing You may well see Terry competing at Bugattis to cease permanently, but Lotus 22/31 is jointly owned by Shelsley Walsh or Pontypool Hill the legend is preserved at the Terry Kavanagh of Design PWB Climbs or certain Silverstone events. beautifully situated Cotswold estate section, Keith Beddis and Ian He recently took second place at known among enthusiasts as Walding. This immaculate 1598cc Wroughton Sprint Meeting, and also Prescott Hill Climb. single-seater regularly competes at at Penrice Hill Climb, but he's very modest about it all. It is operated by the Bugatti Owners' Prescott, and it's great to see Terry Club and provides competitive screaming through the 'esses' as he Incidentally, when you next win the meetings five or six times a year. attempts to make his fastest time pools and obtain your Ferrari, try These contests consist of climbing ever. Here the track is S-shaped and joining the elite in the Ferrari the twisting tarmac road and being is enveloped by trees which Owners' Club. They're joint electronically timed to one hundredth accentuate exhaust roar as you dice organisers at Prescott and you may part of a second. Climbs are made towards the finish. well make 'fastest time of the day'. one car at a time, but following in fast sequence, provided the track is quite clear of other competitors' cars. Lying a few miles north of , it has seen many world- famous drivers but is largely supported by racing Minis and numerous other types of racing and sports car. Des Weyman of Design Engineering sports a fast race-tuned Austin Mini of 1293cc in which he has made some particularly good climbs at Prescott. He has not only been class winner there but, amongst other recent racing achievements, he also holds the class record at Penrice and Pontypool Hill Climbs.

Des Weyman (second from rig fit) with his Austin l\/lini Cooper S at Prescott. PR WIS g •

this Plant, he has a co-ordination role help them to feel at home — not —but 'we want to help for all secondee administration at provide a permanent crutch.' them feel at home* other Mfg Group locations. 'We have Absence makes the heart grow a reciprocal arrangement for helping fonder; it also tends to magnify Before Derek Wintle went on holiday each other's people.' little matters into monumental ones, at Christmas he had to make sure Quite a lot of work has to be got and telex plays a vital part not only that nine of our secondees, or through before a man is seconded. in business matters but also as a 'residents' (four in Engineering and First the need has to be established lifeline connecting the secondee five in Manufacturing) and their by a manager and agreed both here with home base. families were being safely and in the host country; only after 'Our Mitcheldean telex team give us 'repatriated'. the job clarification has been settled a fantastic service,' said Derek, All on secondment in the USA, they does the selection process commence. holding up a message 2ft. 6in. long were using their holiday entitlement It isn't just a case of choosing a man relating to salary reviews. to spend Christmas with their for his technical aptitude; his health It is important that our people relatives back home. The deal is that and personal circumstances have to abroad should not feel out of touch, they get one holiday trip for the be taken into account, and and they are sent regular copies of whole family per year of service everything hinges on the results of a Vision, Management Review, works abroad, and the Company pays for rigorous medical test. Commented notices and any other relevant their air fare — it's all part of the policy. Billy Gilmour, a hardy Scot just back material. It goes officially by As Co-ordinator, International from the USA: 'Stamina is a vital courier to the USA, by post to most Assignment and Policy for qualification 1' other places; unofficially, those who Manufacturing Group Personnel, Says Derek: 'When a chap has passed commute between plants often act Derek spent six weeks in the States his medical, I brief him on his terms as postmen. last year assisting with the framing of and conditions. We have to get all Secondees in non-English speaking the newly revised policy and its the necessary documentation countries are sent some newspapers distribution, and explaining all about together — passport, visa, work and comics for the kids. Inevitably it to residents over there. permit, international driving licence things arrive late sometimes, or don't Terms and conditions vary according form (he is expected to possess a always get to the right people. to the country concerned because of suitable driving licence), customs Stuart Harrold said that while with differing internal legislation, tax, etc. clearance form for when he returns, Fuji Xerox he never felt really For example, in Japan our even voting arrangements, and we homesick enough to appreciate our Manufacturing Group representative, set up the administration side — tax, canteen menus I Ernie Watkins, has to pay not only social security, payment system and so on. As the assignment goes on. Group income tax but also a 'resident's' Personnel become concerned with tax — nothing to do with being from 'Normally we fly people but placing our secondees back in the Rank Xerox, simply a tax for being sometimes this isn't feasible. One Plant. They try to ensure no one alive. man had a son with a pierced loses by having been away. ear-drum so sea travel was advised. 'The EEC is a particularly difficult Sometimes we lose the secondee. area because of the varying 'When we have a whole gang going Mike Rowlett of Group Finance, for interpretation of documents between we arrange sessions with former instance, transferred to Venray Plant countries,' Derek told us. residents and managers and we show on January 1 ; for some nine months How many secondees do we have? films about the places where they're last year he worked in Lille, along going to live and work. 'From RXMP we have 30 in the USA, with Mike Stone, helping SIRX to set two in Venray, two in Lille, one in 'I think the wives have the hardest up an accounting system there. Japan and one in Brazil. We also task in getting integrated. They Our first man to be sent to France, have one person on national aren't allowed to work on a visa and Mike is not so much English as assignment at Welwyn and there will I admire them for the way they cope. European. He speaks German, probably be some later at Milton We haven't lost a wife yet! Dutch and French, and is quite at Keynes,' he said. home on the Continent. 'Our aim is to give our secondees as As well as looking after administration good a welfare and social service as Mike obviously enjoyed his stay in matters for all on secondment from possible. We want to settle them in. Lille — he'll certainly never forget his arrival at the bungalow allotted to him. 'There'd been a burglary and I found the French police examining the bedroom for footprints. There was a great hole in the window and we had to sleep with it like that! Oddly enough, the only thing that had been taken was a sheet I'

Dere/< Wintle (centre) with Billy Gilmour, a design engineer recently returned from an assignment at Rochester, USA, and {far right) Mike Rowlett of Group Finance {now with Venray) who was our first man to be sent to France. rL_n no Lr~u LTTJ

Back from Japan— also a consumables plant at being that there are Japanese staff. with a bride Takematsu. How did you get on with the driving ? How did you get on with the I had a Mazda RX 4 (by coincidence I) weather ? Stuart Harrold went further than and commuted 36 miles each way The summer is totally unbearable — most of our secondees. He was in every day to Ebina; I used to visit 95°F and 90% relative humidity Japan for two and a half years as the other factories as well. In Tokyo almost round the clock. Air- Engineering representative with Fuji itself the congestion is appalling and conditioning is a must, even in the Xerox, and towards the end of his I found the best way of getting car. The other three seasons are very stay was working for both Xerox and around was by motorbike. pleasant. The winters are dry; in Rank Xerox. Tell us about your wedding in Tokyo. fact, last winter we went 90 days He so enjoyed being out there he without any measurable rainfall in I was introduced to Mitsuko by a brought a bit of Japan back with Tokyo and there was a lot of static mutual friend; she worked in a him — a charming Japanese bride electricity because of this. shipping company and her parents called Mitsuko, who speaks English. are internationally minded so there Before he went out, Stuart underwent was no opposition to our marriage. a gruelling intensive course in the The ceremony was a purely civil language, so our first question was : one — not unlike getting a driving licence I I had to have 'the banns' Did you find your f

7 Manufacturing Group Mike Smith, formerly Engineering Deputy Manager, Production Programme Manager, Engineering Engineering, will, in addition to his Now that Mike Hill, formerly Group, has joined Mfg Group as existing responsibility for Quality Manager, Material Control, has left Manufacturing Programme Manager Engineering, Finishing Engineering Manufacturing Group to take up the to assume Mr Mitchell's former and Office Services, be undertaking appointment of Director, Supplies responsibilities. responsibility for Assembly Planning Business Area, Central Strategy and Product related activities within Group, the following changes in the John Hankin, formerly Assistant the department. Manufacturing Planning Division, Manufacturing Programme Manager, under the directorship of Don has been appointed Manufacturing Production Engineering Managers Shryane, have taken effect: Programme Manager covering (Products) reporting to Mr Wood as Consumables and Photoreceptors a result of this move are: Harold Jeremy Henwood, currently for all new products. Hayling (Accessories/660/720); Manager, Facilities & Resources Geoff Howell (7000 Sub- Planning, has assumed the title Purchase Assemblies) ; Brian Lewis (4000 Manager, Manufacturing Resources, John Wilks, formerly Section Family Processors); Sid Palmer with responsibility for Production Manager in Purchase Department, (two new products). Planning & Control and Manu• has been appointed Purchasing facturing Planning Administration in Manager, reporting to Norman Metrication Officer addition to his current responsibilities. Fisher, Assistant General Manager. Jack Timms has been appointed He continues to report to Mr Shryane. Mr Wilks has been in the Purchase Metrication Officer for the This restructuring will achieve the Department since he joined Rank Mitcheldean Plant, in which capacity important objective of bringing Xerox in 1957. he will be responsible to Mr Tester for together the planning of our longer the planning and implementation of Manufacturing term requirements as identified in the metric change in all areas. Engineering During this important development, Long Range Plan and our shorter Ken Stanbridge is now Manager, term plant loading. Through Mr Timms will be in close Planning and Control, reporting to Production Planning & Control consultation with all departmental Jack Tester, Manager, Jeremy Henwood will assume heads and managers in the Manufacturing Engineering. His responsibility for the Supply/Demand development of a total strategy which responsibilities include the co• interface with I HQ. will include personnel training, plant ordinated planning and control of conversion and standards revisions Colin Peters, Manager, Production multi-department activities within in all their aspects. Planning & Control, and Dr Geoff Mfg Engineering, with emphasis on Parry, Manager, Manufacturing advance planning of new Personnel Planning Administration, retain their developments; allocation, balance Derek Lee, formerly Compensation current roles but report to and effectiveness of resources; & Benefits Manager, has been Mr Henwood. budgets; and development of practices. appointed Manager, Training. Neil Forrest, Manager, Resources His current position in PED as Bernard Morris, formerly Personnel Planning, Eric Moore, Senior Manager of two new products is Officer (Admin. Compensation & Project Manager, and Brian filled by Sid Palmer. Benefits), is now Manager — Hartshorne, Industrial Architect, John Wood, in his present role as Compensation & Benefits. continue to report to Mr Henwood. Bernard Smith, formerly Purchasing Controller, Mitcheldean, has joined Mfg Group staff as Manager, Purchasing, and reports to H ACTION MEN Mr Shryane. This important appointment highlights the Our last feature on the implementation to General Manager Ron Morfee. prominence which will be given to of SOLAR, in the July/August issue, The team members are: Production our purchasing efficiency, especially dealt with Stock Update, third of the Department— Brian Barnes, Manager, during the present period of high five segments of the system. NC Complex; and John Court, material cost inflation, with tough Since that time, a great deal of work Manager, Finishing & Low Volume tasks included in our 1975/6 has been carried out in all user areas Assemblies; Quality Assurance — Operating Plan. and many previously recognised Norman Copeland, Quality Engineer; Production Control— David Davies, Graham BIythe, formerly Manager, problems have been resolved. Manager, Planning & Support, John Purchasing, has been appointed It has always been important for our MacDonald, Manager, Special Manager, USSR Contracts (Mfg Company, with its wide range of Projects, and Paul Trollope, Senior Group), and is to be seconded on a component parts, to have an accurate Supervisor; Finance & full-time basis to work with Merritt system to control the level of parts Chandler, Vice-President, stocks and their flow throughout the Administration — Terry McNamara, Information Technology Group, in Plant. Manager, Special Projects; the purchasing and contracts field for Information Systems — John Powell, The need for this system has, of the USSR Project. Design Analyst, Alan Tully, Senior course, become even more critical in Systems Analyst, and Graham Ron Mason, Vic Parry, Peter the light of the current international Riddiford, Project Analyst, Systems Walton and Jack Wigglesworth economic situation, and it is Planning Department (Group). continue to report to Mr Shryane; essential for our future at Mitcheldean The team are investigating their responsibilities are unchanged. to ensure that it is fully implemented implementation problems in as rapidly as possible. Jim Mitchell, formerly association with the appropriate Manufacturing Programme Manager To help achieve this, a full-time Management and Supervision and for certain new products, has been team has been set up under the jointly establishing the most appointed Assistant Manager — leadership of Production Manager practical courses of action to resolve Manufacturing Programmes. Frank Whinyates, reporting directly these problems.

8 lace meeting place meeting place meeting place meeting place mee leeting place meeting place meeting place meeting place meeting plac< ace meeting place meeting place meeting place meeting place meel

Another recipient of a long service Those who used to work on the award — of a different variety — is Bell & Howell assembly line years ago John Badham, a design engineer will recognise Jean Miles; and working for Accessories Manager those who live locally will also Ken Boyd. recognise in her the wife of the local John hails from near London; he bobby in both Mitcheldean and joined the Air Training Corps when Longhope a year or so ago. he was 14 and at the age of 20 received a commission in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. When he came to work at Mitcheldean he changed his squadron (85 Southgate) along with his house. Now living at Sling, near Coleford, he belongs to 614 Squadron.

Eugenie Jones has never been known to get in a flap, as far as we can ascertain. And she's had plenty of opportunity— she's been with us since 1951, and recently received her long service award in the form of a necklace. Now secretary to Roger Haggett, Director of Manufacturing Operations (UK), she started work at Mitcheldean printing job tickets in Production Jean originally joined us in 1954 Control when Arthur Mason was ('Stan Richardson was my manager. chargehand,' she recalls). She left after four years to move around You could say that was when she Gloucestershire with her policeman created the 'blue print' for her husband ; now he is stationed at career; as Eugenie told us: 'I used to Newnham-on-Severn and Jean was get covered in blue from the carbons John's award — a medal for 1 2 years' adult service (dating from the able to rejoin us two years ago. She every day (they didn't issue overalls works on the electrode assembly in those days). I think we can be age of 18) — was presented to him by the Duke of Beaufort, Lord which goes into the developer box of grateful to RX copiers for release the 4000 machine. from that alone I' Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, at Badminton House on November 3. 'My mother, Dorothy Rawlings, Her secretarial career progressed via Flying Officer John holds a gliding worked in Plating for ten years — she Purchasing and Production Control finished about 1964. And today I've to Mitcheldean Management before licence, but his duties involve groundwork on training and got various in-laws and nephews she took up her present appointment. working here.' She met her husband, Des Jones, administration ; he is also a qualified now Manager, Named Vendor range officer and can take range Jean's 15-year-old daughter attends Liaison Engineering (PED), at the practice on -22 and -303 rifles. Abenhall School and is also doing a Plant and they were married in secretarial course at the West 1959 — just a year too soon to have of Further their wedding reported in VISION. Education. Their total service amounts to Like most working women with a almost half a century. home to run, Jean has little time to spare, but what there is she devotes Eugenie's favourite hobby is an to reading and gardening. 'We've unusual one — tapestry work. She got the smallest garden we've ever also likes making wine — and had now — which is just as well.' drinking it, she added, with a twinkle in her otherwise calm blue eyes. Having lost the chance of getting to Majorca last November, she and her family are hoping to have a springtime holiday there. 'A policeman's wife's lot is not an unhappy one,' judging from our chat I

ace meeting place meeting place meeting place meeting place mee LETTER Three long-serving members retired Kath Munden started with us about at the end of November — Jackie 15^ years ago and worked on the Smith, Kath Munden and Frank bench in the Machine Shop, later James, and two retired just before transferring to Auto Plating. Many Christmas— Doris Barker and Jack will remember her husband Alf and Benbow. her daughter Pam (now married to Doris and Jack we'll be featuring in Max Gaylard) who also worked at our next issue; this month we have the Plant. Her other daughter is the 54 or so years' total service of the married too, and Kath has five first three to acknowledge. grandchildren — all boys. 'There's not much else to say about me,' she It would be difficult to write about insisted. Jackie without mentioning Doris. The 'Dowagers of Design' worked We asked her what plans she had for together as secretary and assistant her retirement. 'I shall get some kind secretary of the association for some of job, I expect,' she said. 'I think years, and most people thought of working keeps you young.' It's them as partners in Engineering certainly worked for Kath ! Records — a kind of Gert and Daisy A skilled sheet metal worker, Frank relationship, as one person put it! James came to us in 1956 and Their retirement within a few worked in the Sheet Metal Shop all weeks of one another broke up the his time with us, first at Mitcheldean partnership and they were feted by the and then at Cinderford. More flowers for Jackie, presented by Office Manager John Brain. The money LSA, in recognition of their efforts; He used to work on prototype, and she received from the LSA she put the 'rave up' took place at the White recalls helping to produce the first 914 towards an electric sewing machine, and Hart on December 2 when Frank machine. He must have been skilled her colleagues in Engineering gave her Edwards presented them with a at skittling too, for he used to play a sewing table, some gold charms and travelling clock each and Henry for the Plant team in the local chocolates. Phillips weighed them down with leagues. beautiful bouquets. Frank has a son, Brian James, who is But although they left at about the Chief Draughtsman in Engineering; same time, they didn't join us that his son-in-law, Christopher Lyes, way. Jackie came to Mitcheldean works in Tool Stores. from London with her husband Bob; Before he joined us, Frank used to and it was 21 years ago that she run a smallholding at Gorsley; but started work in Bell & Howell he has no desire to return to the Assembly, Doris having joined the outdoor life in a big way — just department some six years earlier. gardening enough to provide produce Later Jackie moved to inspection for his immediate circle. work, then Goods Inwards, finally When we asked him how he felt transferring to Engineering Records about retiring, he replied solemnly: about five years ago where she met 'I reckon the first 30 years will up with Doris again. probably be the most trying I' Always a lively, active personality, Jackie served on the Sports & Social Club Committee, on the Canteen 950 Years of Service Committee and on the Grading In recent weeks, 28 people with 30 or Committee (she was an APEX staff more years' service, totalling nearly For Frank James there was a battery representative), in addition to her 950 years, have received gifts in wall clock from his mates and a cheque LSA work. recognition of that service. We plan from the LSA ; Vic Buhlmann, Manager She and Bob have two daughters and to feature them next time. at Cinderford, presented both. a son, John Smith, who works in the Tool Room as his father did before him. One son-in-law, John Goode, is in PED, and Jackie has a brother, Vic Mockford, working in Electrical Sub-assembly.

ANY NEWS FOR VISION?

If you have, then please — let your departmental correspondent know, or leave it at any Gate House for collection by me, or post It to me at Tree Tops, Plump Hill, Mitcheldean, Flowers too for Kath Munden, presented by Eileen Tyler, plus a bouquet from the night shift in Auto Plating, presented by Ted Rudge, while Marion Ward or ring me — it's 542415. handed her a retirement scroll. A jewel box and ear-rings were given by her fellow workers in Finishing and friends in the Machine Shop, Myrtle Fowler, Editor and there was also a cheque from the LSA.

10 Dean Forest Studios

Raymond /VIorgan and fiis bride, Susan Hendy {Group Finance), wtio were married Tony Newman, Manager, Maintenance, at All Saints' Church, Longhope, on presents retiring boilerman George Pitt December 14. with a photograph of himself in boilerhouse White Blood Donor no. 1. It was published on the front cover of our April 1974 issue in which we Having seen a feature on a Points West TV reported the story of how we coped with programme about 'wliite cell doning' — a the last energy crisis. George, who left us at development to aid sufferers from the end of November, was delighted to leukaemia—John Wintle decided to volunteer. have a memento of the boilers he had Last November, he became only the third worked among for the past 11 years. He also person in the South West to use a new received a clock from his colleagues, some machine at the Southmead Hospital Blood G. Howells cash and a 'dose of Scotch medicine'. Transfusion Centre in Bristol. Winner of the sunflower competition A regular blood donor, John was familiar Dick Taylor at ground level while Spencer Retirement with the normal procedure and, as a design Hodgetts up above officially declares the engineer, he took a professional interest in 12ft lin sunflower the winner. The only retirement in December, apart from the mechanics of the new centrifuge the LSA members mentioned on the opposite machine used to separate blood into its Sunflower Club page, was that of Robert Lee (Quality constituent parts. Assurance) who worked in the Machine Shop Last autumn some members of Small Batch and had been with us for just over four years. A pint of blood was taken from his left arm held a competition for the growing of the He has our best wishes for the future. and pumped into the machine, which tallest sunflower. Organisers were Gordon consisted of two bell-shaped transparent Howells and Spencer Hodgetts who plastic mouldings, one inside the other, supplied each member of the 'Sunflower CAR POOL producing a bell-shaped cavity up which Club' with one plant each. Details of would-be car poolers this month the blood climbs under centrifugal force. are as follows: Many plants were destroyed by strong For reasons of weight, the plasma rose first winds, insects and individual attempts at John Robinson, ext. 481, Stonehouse area and was drawn off into one plastic bag; the forcing them to dizzy heights ! Nevertheless, with access to Road and Bristol white cells rose next and were drawn off some managed to stay the course for final Road for Gloucester. into a second bag together with a few red measuring day. G. W. Austin, ext. 191, Greytree, cells. The plasma was then returned to the Winner of the competition was Dick Taylor Ross-on-Wye, close to Three Crosses Estate, centrifuge cavity where it remixed with the whose plant reached a height of 12ft lin. Brampton Road. Have 3 seats available, remaining red cells. His prize was a silver cup and the proceeds would share with 2 others, change cars This reconstituted blood was then pumped of the winner-take-all on a 25p entrance about, not cash paying passengers, permanent into a third bag suspended high above the fee per member. day shift, no nights, 8 am to 4.45 pm. machine and returned via a drip-feed into his other arm. Males of the Month This process was carried out several times until the right quantity of white cells was obtained (it took hours). 'It wasn't too arduous,' said John, 'as I received the normal treatment of coffee and biscuits afterwards.' The white cell doning enables a secondary infection in leukaemia sufferers to be counteracted so that treatment for the leukaemia itself can be carried out.

Obituary We regret to report the death on December 16 of George Childs at the age of 48. A leading hand in Internal Transport, he had been with us about eight years. We also report the death of Stephen Pockett (RX Lydney), aged 23, who had been with us since 1968.

Our sympathy goes to the families of both For manliness, good taste, charm, humour and plain good looks drop in to men. Resources Planning. More than 50 per cent of the department are 21st Birthday sporting beards these days. Is this a record? {PS. Big 'E' International XV lost again to Design, 24:10 pts {remember Helen Daunter (Despatch Office) on the report in our April 1974 issue ?). Ban 'The Elver'!) January 22.

11 SP@RTS & S&CIAL CLUB HOME MARKET When sending in items please give your extension number and/or department to ensure inclusion.

For Sale Bonanza Night Black & white TV 19in. UHF, in good December 5 was Bonanza Night — working order; also Midlands ITV aerial, when about 100 draw prizes were £12-50 altogether, or would sell separately. handed out to lucky people. B. Butler, ext. 202 or Drybrook 542736. Totalling around £1,000 in value, Mitcheldean — detached house with garage, they included colour Polaroid 3 bedrooms (one with fitted wardrobe), cameras, cassette radio/tape bathroom, lounge with stone fireplace, recorders, sets of luggage, Christmas Sep. dining-room, fitted kitchen, fitted hampers and bottles of cheer. carpets in bedrooms, bathroom, landing, stairs, hall. Full cent, heating, electricity to Don't forget the St Valentine's Dance garage. £10,500. Drybrook 542813. in the Social Centre. Tickets, £1.25 1964 Riley Elf (Mini) two-tone grey, leather each, can be obtained by a call to seats, body very good, mechanics excellent, ext. 1169. MOT, 40 mpg, £165 o.n.o. Elliott, 29 Woodside Street, Cinderford; A. Smith,

Playpen, wooden, with floor, £3. R. Bennett, ext. 534. Renault 16TL (red), March 1974, 12,000 miles. Electric sunshine roof, cloth seats, as new condition, just serviced. Price new: £1,725 ; price now : £1,350 o.n.o. R. Murray, ext. 992 or Ross-on-Wye 2268. Lydney — 3 bedroom detached house, lounge, kitchen/dining-room, downstairs cloakroom, bathroom with sep. WC, enclosed entrance hall, inner hall, garage, gardens front and rear. Situated in quiet location, easily accessible to all local amenities, views towards Severn Estuary, £10,500 o.n.o. Mrs Y. M. Jones, ext. 587 or Lydney 3221. Solid oak refectory table, 64in. x 30in., brand new, £120. D. Isles, Work Study, RXC, ext. 19 - 16.

Semi-detached dormer bungalow with large garage, night storage heaters, fitted wardrobes and carpets included. Offers Cups in hand, award winners in the Golf Society line . < golfing picture of the around £8,750. 33 Churchill Way, year: (I to r, standing) Des Gibbs (Round Ro^in Cup), Mike Cooper (Inter-Departmental Mitcheldean, or Mrs C. Scott, ext. 483. Cup team), Mike Mee (Inter-Plant Cup, team captain). Bill Meek (Inter-Departmental 1966 Hillman Minx, taxed and tested, Cup team captain) ; (seated) Dave 'Bandito' Robinson (Summer Cup) and Roger Thomas radial tyres. A sound reliable car, (Inter-Departmental Cup team) holding also the Rabbit's Cup won by Keith Bedford £95 o.n o. J. Stones, ext. 584. who was not present. Playpen, used only once, £5. 1966 Morris Mini 848 cc, maroon, in excellent condition, taxed and tested, £230 or o.n.o. 1960 TORMENTE D SOULS Hillman Husky Estate 1390 cc, green/white, Comes the day in the life of a golfer. So they grant him one shot—near perfection. in good condition for year, reconditioned When there's nothing that seems to go right. To the heart of the very last green. engine. Offers. T. Daunter, ext. 236. When he feels that his future is hopeless, The most beautiful shot of his lifetime, 1964 Morris Mini saloon, red/black, MOT While he's searching, in vain, for the light. Or the rest of his fourball have seen. Oct. 1975, taxed, clean economical car, When his swing seems distorted and awkward. And thus he returns to the clubhouse. £70. D. Entwistle, Mitcheldean Components And he's missing his put's by the yard. With a shot about which he can boast. Planning section, ext. 481. When he catches the lip of each bunker. While gloomy thoughts fly out the window. And finally tears up his co'd ' Over tea and some hot buttered toast. Wanted Then the sun 't'.'.s to shine in his heax'en. Then the very next Saturday morning. Lady Luck has deserted his star. Forgetting his bad shots galore. Metal buttons, buckles or badges for the While his coniJdar.ce rjradually awindles. You will find him right there, with a confident Blue Peter guide dogs for the blind training And he feels he could kick as far ! \ air, centre appeal, also metal snap caps from It is then that golf's Guardian Angels, ON THE TEE —FULL OF HOPE —FOR bottles and old Christmas cards. Please Ever watchful for 'Tormented Souls', 30ME MORE ! I hand in to Nurse Hilda Baldwin at the Decide that they don't wish to lose him. With f. knowledgment to Austin Young of Medical Centre. To tenni< or ludo, or bowls. Stann jre Golf Club. Play pen. M. Kear, ext. 394.

12 Printed in by Taylor, Young (Printers) Ltd.