JULY 1973

CONTRACTS RECENTLY COMPLETED •••

St. Catherine's Dominican Convent, Newcastle. Opened by His Lordship Bishop Lindsay on Saturday 2nd June. This 18-month contract, worth about £300,000 com· prised two schools, a nursery and junior, a chapel, living quarters for the sisters, dining halls, kitchens etc.

Newcastle Airport Hotel officially opened 2Sth April by Viscount Ridley, Chairman of County Council. The hotel contains 104 bedrooms all with private bathrooms, telephone, radio and television. A function suite which holds 400 people, dining rooms, bars etc. This 18-month contract was worth approximately £450,000.

Broadway/Links Road extension for Blyth corporation, officially opened by Alderman Elder B.E.M., Chairman of General Purposes Committee on 11 th April. This 12-month contract worth around £250,000 comprised 2600 metres carriageway, 600 metres of which is dualled, together with three roundabouts .

• • • AND ONE ABOUT TO COMMENCE

The Lord Mayor of Newcastle (Alderman Arthur Grey) * turns the soil to mark commencement of the new Murray House Community Centre and Youth Oub, a 12-month contract worth approximately £140,000. BRIMSFOLK

middle were two years of national A.M.M. Having established yourself service in the army. and a small but growing department B.E.Y. Yes-I joined Merz & within the Company you decided to Mclellan in 1955 where I worked on go elsewhere in 1969 to join E.PD.C. Stella on the Tyne. as Chief Quantity Surveyor at the Between 1957 and 1959 I was invited Alcan Smelter. by H.M. Government to take part in What decided you to make this National Service and I joined the move? R.E.'s as a Sapper and subsequently B.E.Y. It was really a move progressed all the way to the rank of cultivated to further my own career. Corporal. I think I must have been the As Chief Quantity Surveyor on the oldest national serviceman, the lowest Smelter, a contract of approximately paid Sapper (14/-d. a week) and then £22m. value, I had a staff of nine the highest paid Corporal. (He doesn't Quantity Surveyors. This contract not say how much but sufjice it to say only gave me a deep understanding of that this state of af(airs came about the l.C.E. Conditions from the through reading tlte small print-a Consultant viewpoint bu also provided ...... habit he has not lost to this day.) an immense variety in the type of Civil BRlAN YOUNGS in discu~ion wilh. As confidentiaJ clerk to the otticer Engineering work undertaken. ANDREW MARR commanding, 1 was resplinsible for A.M.M. As the Alcan Smelter A.M.M. The fourth in our series of sorting out all the problems, which contract was coming to a close you interviews with Company staff invites notoriously, soldiers who have no re~joi ned this Company at the end of you to meet Brian Youngs, chief battle to fight seem to attract. The 1970 as Chief Quantity Surveyor and Quantity Surveyor. experience left me a wiser and more have been responsible for the activities Brian, who is forty years old, has careful man. of this department under Mr. Ireland occupied this position since he On demob I re-joined my former ever since. returned to the Company some two­ Company and moved to Chapel Cross Since your return you have been and-a-half years ago. Station near Gretna. involved in a number of the I asked him. to tell us of the early This is easily recognisable as the Power Company's societies and clubs-which days when he first entered the Station with the unusual shaped of these has occupied most of your profession. -a bump in the time? B.E.Y. 1 was educated at Heaton middle -{an addition for which the B.E.Y. I have been an active Grammar School and left after matric­ contractors did not receive an E.O.). member of the Management Study ulation at the age of seventeen to It was on this contract that I signed Group-an opportunity which I find become an articled pupil with a firm the biggest final account of my career both stimulating from the learning of Chartered Surveyors in to date. point of view and rewarding for the Newcastle-where for the princely From Chapel Cross I transferred to opportunity it gives to meet new staff income of nothing, I trained fm five West Burton Power Station in the from all departments, offices and sites. years. The only financial concession I midlands where I spent eighteen I am also a member of the Cygnet did obtain, however, was 9d. per hour months as Site Quantity Surveyor. It Club committee and take part for any overtime worked. was here that I learned from a especially in its golf111g activities. Jn I A.M.M. One hesitates to use the contractor's surveyor an expression fact, my main interests outside work phrase ''Times have changed", but at which has remained with me ever since revolve around golf, a sport at which I least trainees nowadays do earn a "The contractor must be paid for am no real expert, but one in which I salary whilst they train and do not everything he does-at least once!" am enthusiastically involved. generally have to spend three evenings A.M.M. After your professional A.M.M. Perhaps, in conclusion, you a week at college after completing a training and some light relief in the could tell us a little of your home life J hard day's work. forces you seem to have specialised in and interests. As one who has come up the hard Power Stations for several years. When B.E.Y. I live in Stakeford with my way, how do you see these changes? did you join Brims & Company? wife, Joan; my two daughters B.E.Y. I would certainly support B.E.Y. I was the first Quantity Maureen- sixteen, and Wendy - twelve, whole-heartedly the emphasis today Surveyor ever employed by Bi;ims and (the reason for my greying hairs) on realistic training. If we expect when I commenced in 1962-to be Richard, who is two-and-a-half! young men to commit themselves to a followed shortly afterwards by Alan I am Chairman of the Bedlington career which involves hard effort and Rochester. Adult Association which is responsible long hours of study then, in my This partnership formed the basis for organised adult social and opinion, with the opportunities now of our Quantity Surveying activities educational activities in the open to them they should have the with Alan looking after the building Bedlingtonshire area under the overall backing and support from industry side and myself after civils as Quantity umbrella of the County Education which 1 am glad to say is now being Surveyors in charge of the department Committee. given. A high failure rate in training until the appointment of Mr. N.L. A.M.M. One final question-where for a profession achieves nothing. Ireland in 1966. did you get that tan? A.M.M. On completion of your During the mid 1960's I was B.E.Y. There are a number of training I understand you were directly involved in two of the largest theories currently in circulation an' de involved on a number of large power contracts in the Company's history, one I will agree to de publish ing is dat station contracts as Site Quantity namely those connected with the Tyne my father insist dat he no put de milk Surveyor and sandwiched in the Tunnel. in his coffee!

2

• NEUV CONTRACTS INTERNAL STAFF Approx Value Department I-Civil Engineering VACANCY Extension to Apprentice Training Centre (Swan Hunter) ...... £64,000 Covered Tennis & Squash Courts (Norihumherland L.T.A.) ...... £75,000 Reconstruction ofload and Ancillaiy Works to Range R8, Spadeadam(D. of E.) ...... £80,000 BUILDING ESTIMATING Extension to Gantries and Prefabrication Shop The Company wishes to recruit (Swan Hunters) ...••...... •...... £214,000 additional Building Estimating Staff Repair to Trench at (C.E.G.B.) ...... £26,000 and we are looking for men from West Mains Road Improvements on Al within the Company who have had (Northumberland C.C.) ...... £388,000 several years' site experience who might be interested in discussing the Department 2- Building opportunities open to them in this New Coil Store- (Thorn Heating} ...... £92,000 field. Youth Club and Community Centre-Newcastle Should you be interested in (Trustees of Murray House) ...... £138,000 learning more then please contact, Earthworks- Spennymoor (C'ourtaulds Eng. Ltd.) ...... £48,000 through your superior, A.M. Marr at Eleven Factory Units- Teessidc) Head Office. (Cannon Park Regional Centre) ...... £203,000 Extensions to James McKinlay School, Redcar ...... £257,000 EDITORIAL NOTE The article in our April issue on The Post Office Central Marine Depot listed B. Brewer as Agent. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR As all our Southern brethren know, Ron Green is in fact Agent and this note is issued to correct the fact. Dear Sir, of the programme" for the year and The Company (or al least certain possibly some indication of what is individuals within it) oftl?O speak with going on . . . for the benefit of new pride of the socio) activities that take staff and prospective members. CONGRATULATIONS TO: place during the year undl?r the Watchdog· Eddie and Angela Snowdon on the umbrella of the Cygnet C'lub. birth oF their son on Thursday 7th As a regular reader of Brimmews a Dear Sir, June, 1973. Eddie is an Apprentice more sceptical viewpoint would An examination of the content of Fitter at the Plant Depot. Both mother result-prompting such questions as:­ Brim.maws over the last twelve months and son are well. a) Does the Cygnet Club Committee would promote a number of know of thl? existence of questions- such as:- Brimsm'lvs?- if so, why does it ignore i) Does the Editorial Board have a bias the magazine for advertising the to the North-Western and Southern THANK YOU programme of activities, etc? areas or the Company and thereby b) Does the Cygnet C'lub ever hold any preclude contributions from North­ I wish to convey my sincere thanks to functiuns'! - if so, why are they so Eastern stafr! all those throughout the firm who, infrequently reported in the magazine'? If there is no bias then one must ask:­ du1 ing my recent spell in hospital and ) c) Do the Committee ever try to i1) Docs anything happen in the conva lescent home, sent many gifts of · communicate with non-members and North-East'? Pait icularly on Teesside. flowers, fruit, chocs and books, also more particularly new staff.! The iii) Is there no CRACK in the NorthM numerous letters and ''Get Well" magazine provides an ideal vehicle for East? cards. such communications-why do they iv) Arc the staff in the North-East so To those who managed to spare the fail to use it? asliamcd or what they arc doing that time to visit me- an extra thank you. d) Do the Committee ever invite new they do not contribute freely to the Elsie M. Foster. staff to join? I suggest that they do magazine'! OR Are they simply self­ Transport Depot. not and that the procedure for

3 TEESSIDE CHAT

Department 1 started work on consists of the duplication of the Teesside at the end of June last year, existing Al 74 so that the first job is to previous articles to the Brimsnews construct the north carriageway, having been stopped by 'D' notices. which runs parallel to the existing The initial contract was Bowesfield road, divert traffic onto this, then rip Interceptor Sewer this being the first out the old road and construct the contract let by Teesside Corporation south carriageway. Work is well Main Drainage Section and aimed at advanced now on this and the traffic reducing the pollution of the River should be diverted by mid June; the Tees. whole of the works to be completed The work consisted of 2500 metres by the end of October. of 675 main pipe, approximately 1000 The yard continues to give good metres of which was over 6 metres service; especially Les Stamp who likes deep and the construction of various to chat up the typist. Anyone on underground bungalows. These were Teesside who needs a fitter ring Eston called storm overflow and measuring Grange 56751 or start a better-looking chambers on the drawings. typist, and we'll ring you. Freddie Todd and his all stars Al74 Road Bridge in progrt!$ Social activities include frequent (ex-New York and Seaton Valley visits to the Blue Bell followed by a Drainage) set to work in July 1972 guided tour of Teesside night life led and soon made good progress with the by Howard. Coming attractions being pipelaying-Eric Werndly keeping a darts match between Brims (the Red them going in the right direction. A Arrows) and Ready Mixed Concrete. feature of the work was several curved We are also at present working for cast insitu inverts, the formwork for Big Brother in "Smith's Dock, these looking like the keel of Noah's Southbank, where Chris Norris and Ark. Formwork drawings have been Mick McNally are leading the attack; sent to Swans as they may come in however information is still classified handy if we have a wet summer. Work and will have to wait for future was completed by the end of February additions. 73, Freddie and his men moving on to J.G. Wood. Hetton Staithes. Hard on the heels of the Bowesfield contract came the A167 improvement between Dalton and Great Smeaton CONTRACTS for North Riding County Council. Al74 Road works IGrldeatham NEARING Brian Hart (man with suitcase) and David Liddell keeping their eye on October brought the A174 COMPLETION things. Improvement Grey stones to ON TEESSIDE The work consisted of one mile of Kirkleatham for T eesside Corporation carriageway which was to take out Motorways Section; 2.8 kilometres of some bad bends on the existing Al 67. dual carriageway with an interchange Earthworks started at the end of July at the entrance to l.C.I. Wilton. This and topsoil stripping revealed that scheme joining the Teesside Parkway someone had moved the boulder clay which in turn joins the A19 diversion and replaced it with running sand, the thus fo rming complete east to west motor scrapers being replaced by link across the south side of Teesside. draglines. However, thanks to a good Those at present leaving their mark effort by Brian and Dave, assisted by on this tiny corner of rural England North Riding County Council, led by are Howard (Hot Lips) Davison the R.E. Bill Harris, the job was completed Sheikh of Stokesley, Graeme (Peter on time. Pan) Adams, he uses palmolive you know. David Dove, David Inkles, and Eric Werndly (Assistant typists or so it seems from the amount of time they spend in her office), Russ Jones (last son of Geronimo and our latest Onnesby County School-Extension discovery), Arthur Harris (super clerk and alterations or the man who couldn't remember to forget), and finally Joyce Murray the Contract Value-£216,000 typist. Completion date- August 1973 Things got off to a good start, the Site Manager- R.R. Kendrew and D. compound being sited between the Hopps vicarage and a pub. A little assistance 'CP~ with some footpaths at the local church and we were fixed up with a Cominued page 5 A174 Road Bridge in progress. dry mild winter. Basically the job

4 CONTRACTS NEARING COMPLETION Continued SOUTHERN NEW S

DEPARTMENT 4-BUILDING Agent Ron Green is back in harness Congratulations to Maureen, our Girl again after a spell of illness. Glad to Friday, who was married on Saturday, see you back and fit again. The 9th June. Honeymooned in Jersey­ enclosed photo shows how close we lucky girl! Another marriage is that of are to the Dock quay wall-a large M. Curtis, Q.S., he's talked of nothing container ship's bow is visible else for the last six months, now on alongside the building. Ted Andrews honevmoon in the Canaries. Let's has been standing in for Ron Green in hope-he shuts up now and gets down his absence and has now taken over as to work!-the newness soon wears off! Agent on the Portswood Transport (Sorry Mike.) Depot and the new contract at Our Estimators are having a lot of Hardmoor Copse School, Stockton Health Centre hard luck, always second-never mind, Southampton. Frank, keep your chin up, it can't go Contract value-£165,000 on forever. P.S. After Hullock's quip last month Completion date-June 1973 On the work front. about Everson House warming, it had Site Manager-B. Grange Fort Southwick was completed on to happen. About fifty of Brims schedule, in fact the externals were personnel were present and a good three months ahead of programme, time was had by all. thanks to Ted Andrews, Agent, and P. R. Everson Foreman Dave Iredale. New contracts obtained recently are the Hardmoor Copse School, DRAMATIC NEWS! Southampton. Vosper Dibben & Vosper Youngman, both of these are It was "Jingle" all the way at The in Vosper Thorneycroffs Shipyard, Chandlers Ford Methodist Hall where Woolston. S omhBmpro~ Colin (say no more!) Hullock starred, hilariously miscast(?) as the bumbling incompetent in the title role of Lord Arthur Savillc's Crime, an adaptation of an Oscar Wilde story. The first-night audience was visibly reinforced by a contingent from the Western Docks Contracts who forsook the delights of N.G. Bailey-Offices and Workshops the local four ale bar in time for Scene II. Contract Value-£65,000 An unfortunate and as yet un­ Completion date-June 1973 The Andover contract, a Tum-ksy explained after effect, the R.E. 's Site Manager-J .W. Harker project, is well under way. The staff s attitude to impassioned pleas photograph shows only part of Unit I for extra payments, appears to have floor area. We are at present laying hardened considerably! 350-400 sq. metres of floor slab, A Docks Board Friend. power float finished, per day. There is a total of 14,000 sq. metres of floor area in the three units to be constructed. Completion is required A STAR IS BORN by November 1973. (Again) Keep those details flowing Gerry, As already noted C.A.H. competently you know it's a bonus we're after. discharged his role in the play with no Portswood Transport Depot is well prompting from back stage, the only under way. D. Iredale, Foreman, ex vocal assistance offered was by an Fort Southwick, has taken over from exiled Scotsman and ''Say no more" J. Lyness who has left for pastures didn't fit into the dialogue at the point new. it was offered. Our fashion correspondent (sexy Northern Gas Board-Transport Work­ Adams) was most taken with C.A.H. 's shop and Offices costumes and nominates him for the best dressed Agent of the year award, but for the zip which couldn't rise to Total Contract Value (2 Stages)­ the occasion the button which pinged £200,000 (exposing we'll say not what) and that Completed date-now completed short trouser leg, the reason fo r which Site Manager-J.R. Bell has yet to be adequately answered. . ----~ Any person living or not, having a Post Office Central Marine Cable Depot,

5 LYNDHURST SEWERAGE MODERNISATION SCHEME

After great pressure from the ebullient "Northerner" Colin Bullock, I have been forced to publicise that Brims and Co. are paying a few selected staff to work in the heart of the New Forest, surrounded by trees, wildlife, a go lf course or two and three and a half thousand "landed gentry" of this prosperous region. The forest has changed little from the time that William the Conqueror first appropriated the land, all twenty· five thousand acres of it, until last May 1972 when Brims first arrived on the The Treatment Works is designed to The major proportion of the pipe scene to construct this Disposal Works give an increase development potential excavations, and the most difficult, and associated pipelines. It is worth at Lyndhurst to a population of 6,000 have been executed by the amazing approximately half a million pounds people with provisions for additional John Storey and his Leibl1err 921. and the client is the New Forest Rural construction to boost the figure to They have partne1ed up to become District Council. 9,000 at a later stage. The layout adept at flitting across bogs and Peter Beaumont, joined later by consists of four Pumping Stations, a marshes whilst l<1ying pipes to the Mike Riley, have whipped up the local detritor unit with balancing tanks, disbelief of the locals who point to the "foresters and backwoodsmen" to the three percolating filters, one storm graves of their long Jost tractors and labour force of approximately twenty tank with capacity for 5 7 ,300 gallons, mechanical machinerv. men. Amalgamated with the craftsmen two sedimentation, two humus tanks, Apart from getting the engineers, of our Sub-contractors Fourwais and a sludge thickener tank and sludge Messrs. T. Goodwin, K. Willetts, B. T M. Passingham; the magnificent total treatment building. Pearce and P. Griffiths, to look of thirty-three stout men would have The other portion of the contract through the right end of the instru· gratified the Norman tyrants of was to lay approximately 6,500 metres ments, we have had few problems. We William's day. of pipelines consisting mainly of S.I. have made use of the latent talents of Apart from the holiday influx of pipes. At this stage in time we have our Senior Fitter, Bill Jennings, and tourists who flock to the site, just off constructed 5 ,OOO metres of sewers successfully completed three coffer­ the main A35, to collect camping and rising mains and we have come to dams, the largest of which is 28'-0" permits or fill their kettles, we have the conclusion that the geology of this deep. Bill also came in useful for remained in fairly stately isolation and area, Middle Eocene, covered with checking the sparking plugs of our have been able to get down to a little fluvio-marine drift, does not lend itself cross-country transport. He declared graft and take advantage of the "dry" to excavation. We have other words that ''Donna", the site pony, all 1 winter. for the ground conditions but it is thirteen-and.a-half hands of her, is Our first task was to float the usually referred to as "running sand". running well on all fours: J access roads on mats of heather to get Judging by the enormous heaps of Well, that is about it from to the allotted site area from the main surplus that keep appearing from any Lyndhurst. It only remains for us to road. We trust we made good use of M. excavation I would think that the wish that Brims Southern will manage Ferris's generosity of "free" crushed pipeline boys have successfully to keep up the trend of construction concrete from Fawley as we have had lowered the whole area of Lyndhurst in the wilds and find us similar no trouble in getting about in the by several feet in their attempts to pastures in the near future. Works as yet. "open out" a couple of trench lines. K. Harman.

SOUTHERN NEWS How to spot a happy cyclist Northern knowledge of C.A.H. who -Look for the dead flies on his teeth! OBITUARY 0 can provide a pl"ausible solution to this It is with deep regret that we phenomenon is requested via the We welcome newcomer Terry Gale have to report the death of channels of Brimsnews to lay bare the who has joined the clerical staff at 14 Pat O'Sullivan, who was a secret and put the matter to eternal New Road as Copy Typist/Clerk. Concrete Ganger in the rest, or at least for as long as it takes Terry's home is at Warsash, situated on Western Docks. Pat died Newcastle's Football Team to win the Hamble River and so well known suddenly while on Company another competition (whichever is the in the South for its boating and busine~ in Bournemouth. Pat shorter). yachting activities. Warsash is also was very cheerful and well Signed famed for strawberry growing, so we liked Irishman and will be Your friendly are all hoping ...! sadly missed by his family neighbourhood Site and friends. Staff and others (namely John Donald).

6 HOUSING

We have a Motto by courtesy ofTony sometin1es what he has Jet himself in Site Staff Cunningham, SEMPER IN for. It could be Mary's bacon A. Cunningham-Agent EXECRETUM SOLUM PROFUNDUM sandwiches or John Gibbon's Escort B. Gill--Gcncral Foreman VARIAT. (We are always in the ...., on Measurement day. D. Brodrick- Q.S. only the depth varies.) SACRISTON S. Flint-Cost & Bonus Being what we are, we try to rise T. Short- Cost & Bonus above it, if only for our own comfort. We could have sold these houses twice L. Hall- Foreman Joiner We have so many characters with us over they look so good. T. Cryer-Foreman Bricklayer that it is only possible to mention a Billy Mays is pushing for early M. Porritt-Ganger few. completion to allow the team to V. Northam- Storekeeper THORNABY concentrate on the next job for Thorn Where has all the CRAK gone? Heating at the Team Valley. Possibly it was lost on their weekend The first twenty-two homes were John Thompson will be going on to to Majorca. handed over last month with a flourish the Private Housing site at Hexham for of a golden key by the Mayor of Brian Rudland shortly; we wish him STOCKTON T eesside and the clink of sherry every success. glasses. Forty-eight homes in a web of old Gas, The completed areas are a credit to REDCAR Water and Electricity services. Les everyone involved , the photograph 105 houses erected since Christmas Reid is shouting for Tim Bradley and shows a few from L to R. despite the vandals. Last week we Mike Robson, our two Engineers, to found a nail driven into each of the bring their knitting needles and help fork lift tyres. Someone down there Mack to work it out. loves us. We all of us appreciate the help Brian Appleby says: Eddie Cowan from otht!r departments and would is trying hard to form a band in the like to say thank you. digs with Jack Cleghorn, Geordie There is still over £2.7m work on Gladstone and his mates, but Tim existing housing sites to complete but Bradley prefers Thirty-ones and Ken we are looking to the estimators to Williamson the foreman bricklayer just keep us in trouble. likes to get on with it. Our management techniques are This is the plum job O.K. Redcar improving every day. Matt Cuiran's races over the fence and everyone has latest memorandum "Hints on First a great tan from the Ethylene plant Aid Treatment" was particularly across the fields, washed down with a useful for the following. cup of tea from Kathy the boss. Shock When we get the Q.S. valuation HEMLINGTON Internal Bleeding When Colin Todd's costs come out Were so busy that their contribution Dislocation See Andrew Marr Bill Holmes- finishing foreman. Jimmy was: Concussion When we find out what Kidd-Stores and Materials controller. The contract consi~ts of 270 we have in the Bill Mike Robson-Engineer. Stan Fisk.­ traditional dwellings for Teesside We have only recently started to finishing foreman externals. Joe County Borough including thirty-seven control site staff costs (by the coffee McBumey-Structures foreman and Aged Persons' Bungalows all linked to pot) as used by one of our more Mr. Shackley. a Warden's flat by an intercom system. progressive civil agents. Whilst we have It's a pity Shirley the site's Girl The site is working towards an not developed it fully, we do Friday isn't on to add a little glamour. Autumn '73 completion date. recommend this coffee pot method as ) Joe McBurney is the Mr. Micawber Contract value-£1 million approx­ the one most likely to. of the site, his daily labour report imately. It is based on twenty full mugs always shows 25% more bricklayers on from one ounce of cheap instant site than Gerry Arbuckle the G.F. can coffee. :. One ounce will water six count. staff three times a day with two mugs Bill Holmes seems to be working for visitors or four cups if you get a for the Plwnber; it is not true that his crowd. sideline is baptisms. The system is fool-proof. Any Jock Bradley is convinced that Mr. increase in staff is immediately thrown Bradley on the Pug mill builds up that up by the increased coffee heap of sand to hide from him. conswnption, which is of course care­ Mr. Shackley does know that the fully monitored by you keeping the C.O.W.s Bill Bruce really loves him and coffee and the scales locked in your Stan Fisk wants·to know what he has drawers. done to be sent to Thornaby, (it's Nil carborundum and remember better than Coventry). "When you get to the end of your Tom Stuart who has recently joined rope, tie a knot in it and hang on". us as foreman joiner must wonder A. Porter.

7 PLANT DEPOT NEWS

Good morning all, and if you happen Bill Jennings, stationed at to be lying in bed-Hello Again! out before on small dwnpers in this Lyndhurst for the moment, continues range and we're looking fo rward to SOUfHERNPA1TERCHA1TER to uphold the honour of Dept. 8 and is comments from site on their efficiency assisted by Tony Weeks. We, that is me and my feet are still or otherwise. I must admit I'm still It's impossible to mention everyone partial to an old starting handle. recov~ring from our trip to the sunny I met during my visit but to those of Southern sites, which proved to be We've just received word from the you I did bump into-kind regards and Manufacturers that our Coles Husky most enjoyable and to say the least, see you shortly, I hope. productive. It proved to be a good 18 ton 4 x 4 Mobile Crane will be P.S. I told you what Sunderland ready for delivery around mid July. example of inter-department relation­ would do to Leeds, didn't I'? ships and stimulating conversations. This is quite a machine and is our :frrst Choice greetings such as "So you are NEWS FROM THE YARD venture into the mobile crane field Jack Fairbairn" and ''Nice to see you proper. Initially the crane will go to To add to our fleet of concreting our Kendal contract for a period of AGAIN!" and "Wad di ye want?" dumpers we have purchased two approximately eighteen months and it from a Geordie exile, were but a few Sambron (French Manufactured) high of the milder salutations. Various is hoped it will be able to do the work discharge, two-wheel drive dumpers, of two crawler cranes on the "bridges" argwnents took place during the visit unladen weight 36 cwt. and carrying but the final score ended up:­ section, due to its mobility, fast-all capacity of 2 Ton. The very high terrain travel speed and almost Southem Region fifty points, Plant discharge height of 6'11" is gained by instantaneous erection of the Depot fifty points,-a favourable score elevating the hopper vertically through telescopic main boom. I was very you may think, but it must be two rams in a similar manner to impressed when I had a test drive, remembered that THEY supplied the conventional fork lift trucks. The referee. dumpers are ideal, indeed were especially with the cab and control The boy Bullock's advert. in the lay-out. The safe working devices are primarily purchased, for discharging quite sophisticated and leave lf last issue headed "Reported Missing concrete directly into our Schwing absolutely nothing to guesswork. It's from the South" and referring to my concrete pump delivery hopper, which well worth a look if you're anywhere absence proved to be out of date as I has a hopper height of 4'8". They are near Kendal site, end of July. had actually returned North by the also very good for discharging into time the Bn"msnews was printed. Tut crane skips or low level shuttering. At INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS tut Colin. don't look now but your the moment both machines are grapevine's slipped. working on our Birney Hill Reservoir Paul Robinson, Agent, and Freddy It was really pleasant to meet up contract, feeding the Schwing pump Todd G.F. called into the Yard to with the boys (and girls) around the from the Benford Batching Plant. discuss their Plant requirements for sites, especially as I had only spoken the Swan Hunter Gantry contract. to a few of them over the 'phone and Amongst other things they required you know the pictures you conjure up was a work boat which we're about Colle on the other end of a endeavouring to find for them. We 'phone conversation. Ken Harman, understand Paul and Fred are at Agent at Lyndhurst, did offer me a loggerheads as to who will be the ride on his cuddy, said I had the Skipper and wear the peaked cap. natural shaped legs to fit, but being Normally we don't enter into domestic the modest, charming, unassuming arguments of this nature, but feel on person that I am, I graciously declined. this occasion Paul should give Fred his I'd forgotten my spurs you see, and as peak cap back. After all Paul, Fred any horseflesh lover knows, you must always did fancy himself as Captain of wear your. spurs when you're dealing the lugger. Should you hear him cry with horseflesh, even if you're eating out "Left hand down a bit" as he it. brings the vessel alongside however; he The only Agent who had any idea should be suitably demoted (we about a good hobby was John Harvey, suggest to cabin boy), or if you're in a Havant Incinerator, who like other queer mood and forgotten to take well-bred personages, spends his leisure your pill, make him walk the plank, time sea fishing. We swapped various making sure it's a 12 x 12 to support fishing yams and agreed that he could his weigh t; also it'll keep Dan Dan the relate better fish stories than I as his Cruelty Man off your back, especially arms.are longer than mine. if you fit toe boards. Oh yes, before I Mike Ferris and that so-and-so forget, Alan Williamson our Store­ Lofty Mathews tormented the life out keeper says he doesn't care how many of me when I visited them at requisitions you send in. He hasn't got Portsmouth Dockyard. Lofty bet me a any sea-sick pills in his stores and pint (wish I'd made it gin) I wouldn't suggests you contact Fred Werndly as mention his name in Brimsnews. Well Incidentally the dumper engines are he didn't mention the pills on his Lofty get your hand down kidda-here fitted with electric self-starters, memo. to all sites regarding protracted it comes again-LOFTY MATHEWS. something we have never really tried deliveries of almost everything else.

8 PEOPLE & PLACES

You'll gladly agree, PLANT DEPOT NEWS HEAD OFFICE NEWS For the whole site works hard, Accounts: To keep up with me. DANDAN Basil takes the high road! Yes, after six We've a site here on Teesside, Being tormented by the Safety Officer years' service with the Company, Basil They call it Kirkleatham, in the Yard every morning is one Clay retired from daily slavei:y on 25th It must be the greatest around, thing, but when he brings in an May. He plans to make his new home And led by the Fuhrer, Assistant Cruelty man, things are at Tain, Scotland. For we're all beneath him, getting out of hand. Richard (Dick) After a great deal of house-hunting We've started to rip up the ground. Mike Stewart (Asst. Accountant) Haswell has now taken up residence We're building a road, with Sir Matt at the Yard and no finally made his wedding day on Nearly two miles in length. Easter Monday, 23rd April. His bride doubt the pair of them will be out Which bends for most of the way, spreading the gospel by the time this was Miss Valerie Appleton from down-under. The wedding co-starred And Ceasar'd be shocked sheet comes off the press. And amazed at the strength, Hari:y Hart (financial accountant and With which we erect roads today. THE END IS NIGH office pin-up) as best man. Estimating: But the staff here at Greystones, No doubt you feel the same way about After eight years' service with the Are all damn good workers, Plant Depot News as you do about a Company on Teesside and Head And never stop grafting all day. good book; once you start reading you Office, Derrick Horner, Building For thanks to the Captain, can't bear to put it down. We'd love to Estimator, left to take up a similar We're rougher than Ghurkas continue with the Depot saga, but our pos~ in Darlington. And work just for BRIMS tough , cigar-chewing Editor insists on Comps: (Not for pay?): a thousand words only. Regretfully as Congratulations to Jill Sobey on the by R. S. Jones. the old-time comic used to say "Aye, occasion of her marriage to Mr. Robert aye, That's your lot". Trewick on 11 th April at Newcastle J.S. Fairbairn. Civic Centre long life and happiness to THE PLEASURE IS OURS the newly-weds. Jill's prize this time is The following letters were received as TRANSPORT DEPOT NEWS a husband instead of the bottle of a result of our donating a concrete May we present the first of several new sheri:y she won at the Millstone Darts pipe to Malvin's Close School, Blyth: vehicles which will be brought into match last November. service over the next few weeks. Our best wishes go to Margaret Dear Sir, As you can see we have added Robinson, who left the section at the We are most grateful for your gift quality to quanlity and come up with end of May, eagerly awaiting a happy of a crawling pipe for our school. the Leyland Clydesdale 10 ton tipper. event in July. Margaret joined the It is already a source of delight to Company in August 1970. the children and is a great compliment A wann welcome is given to Miss to you in the field of public relations. Joan Bewley who is Margaret's replace­ I enclose a letter from one of the ment. children and I thank all those con­ cerned most sincerely. Two poems by Russ Jones, English Yours faithfully, translation by students studying the Mrs. E. R. Scaife writings of Indian cave dwellers. Head Teacher.

AN ODE TO KIRKLEATHAM l:hC\11tl ~0<.i li.r We are the Brims Boys, Sc.odi· In red and in white, !:lie. ~ U.'il We work by the day, f 'l'e.. ~ And through to the night, "'s l!r Our efforts are seen, Br;llJS an& Our pride and delight, lr'A e.. It's a dual carriage road """ ;t And it looks quite alright. \t.r!J ~c.h I.CJ. had decided, Giiii 801.( t:.\q., ~ A bridge was in store, fo,.. So up went the shutters, 31~ And down came the pour, it; to 4S We built it in no time, l't~ Cl And gave it what for, f<=Sai1: So And so if you like it, VLl°,13 !:'%,~ We'll gladly build more. ~ov. fro., Our work is our pleasure, ~"' "°I :i.'Yil\S doll5c. It's obvious to see, c. at\..r,'lc From shifting some muck, :ic. "'° 0 \ To felling a tree, But I've not done it all,

9 TRAINING YOUR DOG

In this article I am not going to Before teaching your puppy to call him it usually means either food, a attempt to lay out the standards walk you must start with a collar and game or a bit of petting. necessary to enable you to compete in leash, preferably a fine round leather the show ring or for that matter for collar NEVER a chain. To the collar The quickest and easiest way to obedience tests. However, he should should be attached a leather leash, teach him to come at all times is to be taught, from his early days, to grow fairly long, and not too thick. attach a length of fine light cord (at up to be a "gentleman", or a "lady" if I am assuming that you are teaching least 30 feet) to his collar, and let him your dog happens to be of the your puppy to walk on his leash while play about on the end of this, but opposite sex. is is still only about three months old. keep hold of the other end. When he is In the beginning it is essential for At this stage the important thing is to almost as far as he can get, call his you to realise that a tremendous part get him to walk on his leash, direction name firmly, plus the word "come". If of what your dog will finally become, matters not at all. he does not respond immediately give depends on you. Patience is vital, and As soon as he trots happily in his the cord a sharp jerk, and rapidly pull also the ability to put yourself in the own direction, you can start to teach it in, or run away from him, pulling dog's place, to "think like a dog". He him that he must go where you wish. the cord as you go. Praise him when he does not speak your language, so you The dog should always walk on your reaches you, and then encourage him must try to understand his. left side, the leash being held in your to go off again, repeating the There is very little difference right hand, across the front of your procedure over and over. A little later, between training a dog and training a body. This leaves your left hand free let go of your end of the cord, so that child. The job needs kindness but to pat him with. he can go further away, and then, ifhe firmness, and constant repetition. In his first lesson in going the 1 ight docs not come the moment he is Always use the same word for the way on his leash, let him start off as he called, snatch up the end and call him same thing, and make your directions wishes, on a slack leash, and then, as before. Never, never go to him, he to him a command of one word if speaking the word "heel", turn him MUST come to you. This is a lesson J possible. The words must be repeated from the direction in which he is which can be practised during his daily time and time again, until he is certain going, and at the same time pat your walk, and is one which should not take of them, and you are satisfied that he left side with your left hand, en­ long to teach so long as you do not knows what you mean. couraging him to come into your side. forget to praise and possibly produce a In the early months he can only be The moment he arrives there praise tit-bit. expected to learn to be house clean, to him profusely. Continue this until he There are two bad habits in house walk on a lead, to come when he is trots happily beside you, remembering dogs which never make them very called, and, perhaps, to lie down when all the time to be profuse in your popular with your friends. One is he is told. praise. Never, make this lesson too jumping up in greeting, and the other When you wish him to SJT, use that long and do remember not to expect is sitting on chairs or sofas. word, and do not make the mistake of him to walk to heel immediately he is When the dog jumps up at you, expecting him to sit today, when you let out of the house, for in the first raise your bent leg, so that your knee say sit, and then, tomorrow, change few moments he will be looking for a catches him in the chest. This will the word to DOWN although the spot he wants in which to make make him fall over. It does not hurt desired result is the same. "sit" and himself comfortable. If possible, him, but it will quickly teach him that "down" should mean two very always give him a few moments to jumping up brings no real reward. If, different things. The word "sit" does roam off the leash before expecting however, he is really pig-headed and not mean a thing to your dog; you can him to start a lesson. still jumps despite this treatment, step just as easily teach him sit to the word Remember that a short, sharp jerk firmly but gently on his back toes. A "tail" if you wish. It is not the word on the leash is the best way to convey few repetitions of this and he will itself but the application to the your message, and the moment your know how stupid he is. movement you wish him to make, dog starts to come into the right Teaching him to keep off chairs i~ which matters. Above all, the tone of position, let the leash be loose. The simply a matter of constant repetition your voice is of the utmost correct way to get him to walk to heel of dragging him off and gently importance. If you allow the slightest correctly is by a series of short, sharp scolding him when he gets up-or even sign of crossness or impatience to jerks, accompanied always by the when he tries to get up. A gentle slap creep into your voice you have "had word "heel"· and the gesture against on his hind quarters with a folded it". The dog will be bewildered and your left thigh, plus of course plenty newspaper can also be very effective. Jost, and will probably cringe. of praise the moment he starts to do as It does not hurt him, only his feelings . Each lesson should be short, ten you want. If your dog has learned these simple minutes being ample, but the lesson It is no use at all having a dog lessons to perfection he will be the must take place at least once a day, which will walk beautifully to heel if ideal companion. preferably at the same time each day. he will not first of all come when he is S. R. Gregg It is always a good idea to make this called to have his leash put on. Your before a meal or before his walk, for dog must be taught to come when you then he. will associate the meal or want him. Of course he knows his before his walk with the lesson, and name already' and is probably very treat it as a reward for being a good willing to respond to it when he is boy. He should never be given a lesson alone with you, either in the house or immediately after a meal. outside, because he knows that if you

JO THE FACE SAFETY CHATTER BEHIND THE VOICE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE 2. Employees should be educated to CWTHING & EQUIPMENT recognise these hazards. Far be it from me to decry the success 3. The purpose of the necessity for the of Sunderland football club in winning use of protective equipment should be the Football Association cup at understood by employees. Wembley by beating Leeds United. 4. Surely it's wrong to temporize with This great achievement has given any rules requiring the wearing of North East football the uplift it rightly protective equipment. Once protective deserv"es. Being one of the millions equipment is supplied, its use should who watched the epic battle on tele­ become a condition of employment vision, I could not help but notice the and Site Management should consider apparel and head-gear worn by the this responsibility as necessity. fanatical supporters. Could these be 5. The last keypoint is of particular Joyce Murray typist at Kirkleatham­ the same people who if asked to use importance! Too often an accident topless protective clothing or equipment at occurs because personal protective Despite the impression given above, their workplace would refuse to do so, equipment which should have been Joyce does not often lose her head and often giving an excuse that the wearing worn was left in a cabin. Enforcing puts up with us all very well. of protective clothing made them any rules on Safety is surely not She joined Brims on the appear soft in front of their mates. A strictness, basically it is surely a Kirkleatham contract having paradox to say the least. All employers demonstration of any Site Manager's previously worked for Teesside today have a legal and moral duty to interest in, and concern for the Safety Airport Authority. Her interests supply for their employees practical of each of his employees. include playing tennis and hockey and Safety equipment and devices in great she is an active member of Stokesley & variety to protect any part of the Where protective equipment has to be worn in a specific area of a site then District choral society, Her proudest body. It is emphasised that personal boast however is being Captain of the protective devices do not eliminate other employees should not be permitted access to this area unless ladies' darts team at the New Inn in hazards. They are a second line of Stokesley, she often demonstrates this defence which protect workers from protection has been provided for their Safety. No one, including site visitors talent by beating the engineers and injury, providing they are used. Why G.F. in a quick game of darts on a then the reluctance of many workers should be permitted to enter an area where a hazard exists. It is good policy lunch time. to use this equipment provided for We think she is the best looking their personal protection? One of the to ge t employees to sign for protective equipment issued, and to state clearly chairman in the business as, together reasons for the failure is so often the with typing and answering the tele­ lack of a programme on site. the implications of its use at all times in hazardous areas. phone, she includes going to the shops 1. No attempUs made by Site Manage­ for messages, making the coffee, ment to sell employees on the need for Finally, complaints about Safety sorting out super clerks, filing systems personal prntection or to explain the equipment are not uncommon, i.e. and any other jobs we can think up. characteristics and benefits of the .use helmets cause headaches etc., but in Footnote:- This is the rest of her. of protective devices. some cases these may be psycho­ 2. Site staff themselves do not wear logical, on the other hand all protective equipment. complaints should receive urgent 3. Safety equipment at times on site is attention, and action should be taken not adequate and employees' based on the extent of the hazards complaints are ignored or improperly involved. Significantly it is surprising handled. how employees can be encouraged to 4. Workers conclude that it is unfait of wear protective equipment after Management to force them to wear discussing matters with Site Manage­ Safety apparel if Management fail to ment. do so themselves. The above list is a partial one, many Remember it is good business to more reasons for failure of a provide employees with protective programme could be added, but it clothing and equipment if there is a ADVERT would be better to review the basic need for such protection, but principles of a successful programme if employees must be made to recognise Attention all bald-headed men! this is possible. the need for such protection and that When you go to sleep at night does. It is good business to provide all it is p~ovided for their benefit on the your head keep slipping off your employees with the necessary understanding that it will be used. pillow? protective equipment in all areas of a QUI COLLABORANf When you go bowling to friends site where hazards exist, but before M. Curran keep sticking two fingers in your ears? embarking on a programme it might be Ifso use FUZZO! helpful to review these key points. We have a letter here from a satis­ 1. Personal protective equipment fied customer, Harry Tarn who says: should be provided for every known "I've been rubbing FUZZO into my hazard. scalp for nearly twenty years and I want to tell you I have the hairiest finger tips you've ever seen."

II CYGNET CLUB NEWS

they hold the British Slalom championships. As usual !ndrew did not fail us claimi11g that he was still suffering from shock from being viciously attacked by a gone-off lamb chop on Saturday night. He decided that it could be in his better interests to coach the other members.of the party from the bank. With growing support for a glorious veteran the "other 1 VENTURE CLUB WHITSUN lift back to Killin to pick up their cars. members" rapidly dwindled down to MEET ON LOCH TAY The return journey did not take long two. AND RIVER TAY being spurred on by the thought of a ,Purely to maintain the pride of the The purpose of the expedition was to meal and the rapidly approaching Venture Club Les and Stu set off canoe the length of Loch Tay and then opening time. down the rapid and surprisingly to canoe down the River Tay as far as We set off in glorious sunshine on remained upright to deserve their free Grandtully, and much against the Sunday morning to canoe the pint from the onlookers before tradition of the Venture Club, we remaining three miles of Loch Tay and returning for work the next morning. completed what we set out to do. then to canoe a further six miles down S. C. Mair The meet was attended by: Andrew the river to Aber foldy, which was our Marr; Stuart Mair; Eddie Bradley; John next campsite and ale-testing centre. CYGNET CLUB Roper; Derek Coward: Alan We hi t our first major rapid one GOLF SOCIETY Thompson; Les Bone; Terry Fisk: Max mile from the end of the Loch and, as The first outing of the 1973 season Graham. usual the scene at the bottom was one was held on Saturday, 14th April at We left on the Friday night, of devastation with large mounds of Barnburgh Castle Golf Club. arranging to meet at Killin at the head bodies, smashed canoes and paddles Weather conditions were perfect of Loch Tay, and despite sight-seeing littering the banks. With quick repair but the attendance of only ten tours by various members of the party work with genuine Brims ticky tape members was very disappointing. to interesting places like the we managed to limp home to the The result of the Stableford Edinburgh hospital, barracks and cat eampsite to the most ambitious meal competition held was as follows: and dog home, all the part y managed of the weekend. Andrew had decided C.P.B. Goldson 41 points to find the campsite at various times that we should all have paella for our J.M. Whitaker 38 points during the night. meal but with three cooking groups we G. Burton 35 points On Saturdav morning we left Alan's foWld we had a choice-paella a la sog, On 2nd June we visit Hexharn and car at Fernan, which was our first paella a la burnt and a John on 8th September Brancepeth. In campsite and first pub on route, with Roper/Max Graham special where even addition a knock-out competition has all the tents, food etc. so we would be the prawns were getting concerned again been arranged. able to cook a meal on our arrival. with the volume of water and Any Cygnet Club member The cruise to Fernan was about commenced blowing up their life­ interested in joining the golf society thirteen miles and we arrived cold, wet jackets. should contact me. and tired after a long day. The following morning we set off J.W. Hedley. As usual on Venture Club meets to complete our journey to Grand­ nothing goes according to plan and tully, and it proved to be a very this was no exception. Alan had left interesting section of the river with lst DRAW WINNERS · his car keys in Eddic's car, which was frequent rapids and surprisingly few Roger Eley £5.0G back at Killin, which meant that the capsizes till we reached the geet Bob Hunter £2.00 other car owners had to hitch-hike a mankey rapid at Grandtully where Margaret Robinson £1 .00 BARBECUE-NORTH EAST r11e EV£Nr OF THE YE'AR Ar'5KJ~romH P~ C!AMP S/7E Friday 20th July 1973 //C.KET.S : ~M DDRa7Hy LUACK H. O. M;!:MBJ!f~S ~VPiS/S £/. 2:5r l/. Z/ MffMBeRS a21 t;(/JfiSrs £.I . / s-

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