Toe Summer 1973

Wright ahead I the Head Wrightson magazine

•••••••••••••••••• •••••••••• ••••• •••••••••• •••••• APPOINT• MENTS Grosvenor Steel HW Foundries Ltd HW Ltd Fabrications Ltd

Mr JV Henderson has been MrW Fortune and Mr A appointed Managing Director of Stoddard have both been the Steelcast Division of Head appointed Directors of Head Wrightson Foundries Ltd. Wrightson Teesdale Ltd. Mr JE Fuller has been appointed Production Director of the Iron Founding Division of Head Wrightson Foundries Ltd. The HW Machine Co Ltd HW Ef Co Ltd

Mr El Ford has been appointed Managing Director of Grosvenor Steel Fabrications Ltd. Mr GT Kirsopp has been appointed Sales Director and MrWH McKew has been appointed Works Director.

Mr AS Anderson has been Mr DP Jowett has been appointed cover photo: Whitby on the North appointed a Director of The Head Assistant Secretary of Head Yorkshire coast; a view across the harbour Wrightson Machine Co Ltd. Wrightson £t Co Ltd. to St Hilda's Church on the cliffs. 1HE ANNUAL

MEEW Results of the group for the year ended 31 January 1973 were as follows: turnover profit The Annual General Meeting of before tax Head Wrightson & Co Ltd was held £000 £000 at Teesdale Works on Thursday 5 July 1 973. The following are UK Companies extracts from the Annual Report. contracting 14,203 318 Results manufacturing 9,401 911 9,356 The Head Wrightson Group of supply (12) 2,587 Companies had a reasonably Overseas companies 72 good year in 1 972-73. Group 35,547 trading profit rose from Less inter-company sales 2,491 £1,102,000to £1.456.000. 33,056 1,289 Group profit before tax rose from Other income/ess expenditure 167 £1.083.000 to £1,350,000 whilst Trading profit 1,456 profit after tax rose from Interest paid (112) £617,000 to £998,000. Investment income 6 The year ended on 31 January Profit before tax 1,350 1973 was a year of consolidation. Tax (352) Nevertheless I consider the results 998 fully demonstrate the underlying strength of your Company and Dividends 359 indicate that we are justifiably Transfer to reserves £639 confident about the future. It is also worth commenting that your Company finished 1972-73 financially stronger than it was at the beginning. Development of the company During the year we incurred FUNDS IN 1972/73 £871,000 of capital expenditure and at the end of the year we had In the twelve months ended 31 January 1973 the group capital expenditure commitments employed an average of 4,130 persons. of £1,286,000. These figures £ compare with figures for the On average, each person generated sales of 8,004 previous year of £545,000 and of To generate these sales we had to spend : £370,000 respectively. on buy-outs, materials and services 5,559 We are now in production at 2,445 Stockton Precision Forge where each employee received an average wage or salary of 1,676 we have installed the Rotaform together with benefits, including pension costs forging machine. Preliminary and other benefits of 246 1,922 results are so encouraging that we 523 intend to double the capacity of we spent on taxes : this installation. to the government on the group's net income 60 Secondly, the development of our deducted from dividends paid to shareholders 36 steel stockholding and processing to local authorities in the form of rates 58 business under the leadership of 154 Alfred Simpson Limited of and paid to shareholders In dividends 72 226 Manchester is going well. leaving 297 Simpsons' new warehouse and in addition we borrowed from the bank 432 processing unit in Swinton is 729 proceeding to programme and it will be occupied in the late autumn and this wasapplied: of this year. We also have plans in increasing the group's investments in financing to expand the warehousing and current business by way of stocks and amounts processing capacity of the owed by customers 518 Bramall and Wax Companies in and in purchasing new equipment 211 Sheffield. During the year we 729 opened a new depot on In addition at 31 January 1973 the directors have which is trading inthe carbon authorised the purchase of further new equipment steels needed in the North East as being an average of £31 5 for each person and totalling well as in Simpsons' main £1-3million. continued on page 2

1 business of stainless and alloy supply specialist equipment which is and Wax Companies has gone so steels, stainless fasteners and needed and will act as a sub• well and with so few apparent bright bar. Towards the end of the contractor to Davy International difficulties for the people working year we entered into an agreement in appropriate circumstances for forthose companies. to buy the business of a private that specialist equipment company in the London area which We expect to find that this Prospects also trades in stainless steel agreement will benefit both For the first year in a long time the stockholding and processing This Companies and that it will also economy is growing and growing business which joined Head improve the British export in a way which looks as if it will Wrightson in February of this year performance in steelworks plant. give rise to increased investment trades as Renown Simpson Steels. and increased heavy engineering The return on all this expenditure Summary orders. It is important to emphasise promises to be highly satisfactory The last two years have seen a that this investment at the heavy in 1973-74. significant shift in the emphasis of end is still patchy and has not yet Third, we have bought a new your Company's activities. We have worked its way through to all our riverside site on the Tees in order widened our interest in the lighter workshops, some of which are to improve our capacity to fabricate general engineering market and significantly underloaded. for the North Sea Oil companies. limited our involvement in the However, businessis very much We have long had slipways into major turnkey plant contracting better in the Group's subsidiaries the at Thornaby. Owing market. Apart from adding than it has been for many months to the closure of the municipal stockholding to our interests we past. wharf at Stockton and the plans have been developing our range If the Government can keep the for the new A1 9 bridge it has of proprietary machinery. economy on its present course then proved uneconomic to put the Our internal Research and by the end of this year the Company large fabrications required by the Development effort has been will be turning in good results. In the oil companies into the River Tees directed to support this policy. For meanwhile the first quarter of this at Thornaby, mainly because of the example, we have developed and year has been better than the same costs associated with dredging. are now marketing a novel type of period for last year and we expect This new site is adjacent to our spray granuiator which has wide this year as a whole to show a existing site in Middlesbrough application in the chemical and marked improvement on last year. occupied by The Head fertiliser industry as well as potential 1974 should, on the evidence of Wrightson Machine Company in any situation where the material today, show a still greater and from it we have successfully to be dried is finely divided and improvement. shipped a major fabrication for the difficult to handle both before and British Steel Corporation. This afterdrying. This machine development will place Head produces a clean granular material. Wrightson in a good position to We are supplying our first two take further substantial contracts systems and have high hopes of for North Sea Oil fabrications. We repeat orders. This development is PRESS have a significant amount of this typical of the Head Wrightson class of work in hand. Our welding approach to the future and illustrates expertise is again proving to be a the Company's ability to generate COMMENT major asset. internal growth. Our results were widely reported in Finally, we have continued and are We are also concentrating our efforts the press and the following is continuing to invest in machine tools on sinter plant technology, process reprinted from the 'Financial and equipment in all our workshops design, mechanical design and World': and foundries. It is only possible to process control, in support of our remain competitive by undertaking long record of successful sinter Head Wrightson: expensive investment in modern plants supplied to the iron and steel heading in the right direction tools. indusiryof the world. For a company which is firmly It will be seen that apart from the entrenched in what is basically policy of growth by acquisition that Staff a cyclical field. Head Wrightson was outlined last year we are also At the end of last year we started has achieved a remarkably smooth putting a major proportion of our selective recruiting over and above profit record over the last five resources behind internal growth. the normal intake of apprentices and trainees. This latter recruitment years. Once again, it has jacked up Marketing agreement with we have always maintained at a profits by a satisfactory 25%~ Davy International consistent level. We are now an improvement which has not During the year we negotiated and recruiting more staff and expect been fully appreciated by the subsequently agreed with Davy that this trend will continue market, when the share price is International a rearrangement of although there is also considerable 68{p against 83p in 1972. But the our mutual interests in the scope for increased productivity as chairman considers that the results engineering and supply of complete our order books grow and become are not as good as they might have Blast Furnaces and Basic Oxygen better balanced. been due to a series of exceptional Steel Shops. Under this agreement I would like to thank all the people circumstances. The upturn in Head Wrightson will cease to bid who work for Head Wrightson at business did not transpire until the for these plants and will assist home and abroad. In particular I Autumn, and then the Iron Davy International in its pursuit of would like to say how pleased we Founding Division had a bad year this market world wide. are that the integration of the as it lost the group's principal Head Wrightson will continue to Massey, Steelcast and the Bramall customer for iron castings, the

2 British Steel Corporation. During the year there were teething ELECTED troubles with the new segment m production plant and while the situation is now improved, it is CHAIRMAN OF expected that it will be a further year before the division is making a proper contribution to group results. EUROPEAN On top of these difficulties provision had to be made for an overseas ASSOCIATION account and finally the company had a series of disruptions as a Mr John Ecciesmanaging director result of the miners' strike and the HW a Co Ltd was eiecxed union wages campaign in the early Chairmanof the European spring and summer. Metalworking Plantmakers Association (EMPA) attheir20th plenary session held in Venice on 18 May 1973. Mr Eccles who had been nominated The Association comprises the by the British group will hold office Year leading metalworking plantmaker for a two-year term and succeeds to Pre• and i-ontractor companies in Monsieur J R Tschudnowsky of the Jan. Turn- tax Divi• Times Germany, France, Italy, Sweden as French company Societe-Secim- 31 over Profits dend Co• well as the UK. Spidem. €000 €000 % vered 1969 19.433 312 7 5 10 1970 20.017 764 100 15 enthusiastic member of the HW '1971 27.520 797 110 15 Employees' Council and its various BRITISH associated committees and 1972 34.839 1.083 120 17 currently holds the position of 1973 33.056 1.350 126 22 EMPIRE Vice-Chairman of the Council. He is also senior shop steward for the Amalgamated Union of MEDALLIST Engineering Workers (Engineering Section). Of course the year was not all Wright Ahead extends sincere Jackie, accompanied by his wife problems as the results prove. congratulations to Mr John Hunter Norah and daughter Noreen, Following the acquisition of the on receiving the award of the BEM received the award from Mr Tom Massey companies and in the light in the New Year Honours List. Boardman MCTD, Minister for of the directors' general Jackie, as he is known by his Industry, in the ornate splendour expectations, it was decided to colleagues in HW, operates a of Lancaster House, London on increase the level of capital horizontal borer machine at the Monday 16 April 1973. expenditure. During the year some Thornaby works of HW Teesdale €671.000 was spent and a further where he has worked since 1934, commitment made for €1 28m. apart from a break for war service. Photo /eft to right: Noreen, Tom These figures compare with For many years he has been an Boardman, Jackie and Norah €545.000and €370.000respectively for 1971. The result has been to push fixed assets up from €5 58m. to €5.87m. financed out of cash flow of €1 23m., of which depreciation represented a substantial element of €585.000. The year also saw a considerable degree of reorganisation and rationalisation. The steel stockholding and processing business is going well and the new warehouse and processing unit in Swinton is proceeding to programme. Furthermore the group has purchased a new riverside site on the Tees in order to improve capacity to fabricate for the North Sea Oil companies. Thus Head Wrightson is involved in a number of growth areas, including nuclear power. It is tempting to take advantage of the current lo w ratingof9 4anda yield of 4-5%. when the group seems set to enter a further growth phase. SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE FOR R&O

A highly advanced new type of microscope has recently been installed at the Research & Development laboratories at Thornaby. Called a scanning electron microscope, it is the result of almost 25 years' intense research by Cambridge University Engineering laboratories. It is a fairly costly item of equipment of which there are only 100 in the world. Its main application at R&D is in fractography, or the examination of fracture surfaces. Until the SEM was developed four years ago, the metallurgist had only two major tools for studying metal specimens in detail—the optical microscope and the transmission electron microscope. However, both these instruments have limitations : The optical microscope has a strictly limited depth of focus which makes the study of surfaces such as fractures almost impossible at all but the lowest magnifications. The transmission electron microscope requires a complex specimen preparation, using replicas, which destroys the specimen surface. In containers looks good and addition the cost of the instrument Grosvenor intend to build this job is very high. BULK UpiD into a running product line to The primary advantages of the SEM meet the market demand. over the conventional optical and CONTAINERS Keen interest is being shown in transmission electron microscopes these containers and numerous are: In the Winter 1 972 edition it was enquiries are being received from announced that Grosvenor Steel all partsof the world 1 large specimens can be Fabrications Ltd had signed an accommodated agreement with Grundy 2 minimum specimen preparation (Teddington) Ltd., giving Is involved Grosvenor the sole rights to 3 the specimen surface is not manufacture and market the FURCINC destroyed Grundy design of bulk liquid 4 A magnification range of container tanks. X20 to X 50.000 Grosvenor are happy to report that PRESSES 5 large depth of focus (300 X this business is proving to be very B & S Massey Limited have won greater than optical microscope) successful. The present order book orders for a 600 tonne high-speed top photo will mean continuity on this forging press from Raleigh The new scanning electron microscope product until February 1 974, Industries Limited of Nottingham at R & D being operated by Norman deliveries being maintained at the Handford, a metallurgist and for an 800 tonnes/f wide-ram lower photo rate of one tank per week trimming press for Garringtons Ltd A view through the new microscope of commencing July 1973. of Bromsgrove. A 2500 tonnes/f the fractured surface of an SG iron tensile Negotiations are in operation at the high-speed forging press test piece. The magnification is x500 moment for the possible order of a manufactured for the Spanish firm further 18 tanks. of Echevarria SA was recently The future market potential on these despatched.

4 Precision Forge where a 1 50 mm between one and nine pounds. Rotaform machine and ancillary Production speeds of up to 600 us TEACH-IN equipment was installed in October forgings per hour have been 1972. achieved. This installation consists of a hydraulic tipping device which supplies billets to a vibratory As part of the pre-marketing feeder, 900 kg/hour induction The Rotaform machine has already operations for the Massey furnace, a 150mm Rotaform machine attracted a great deal of international Rotaform machine a paper on this and two 1 50 tonnes wide-ram as well as national attention and machine process was presented trimming presses. Other equipment Ray's paper which was well received by Mr Ray Spiers marketing and installed at Stockton includes a has now introduced Rotaform to the sales engineer!Rotaform BBS 100 mm capacity billet shear with forging industry in North America. Massey to the 1973 Forging automatic loading and three heating The photograph below shows the Equipment Suppliers symposium cells as well as a small die shop. Rotaform production line during held in Chicago between 26—28 It is intended that a second 1 50 mm installation at Stockton Precision June. This symposium was machine will be installed laterthis Forge Ltd. organised by the Forging Industry year and this is at present being Association of America and other manufactured by Massey at HW people present were Mr Ron Manchester. key Hughes, sales manager BBS 1 hydraulic tipping device Massey ar\h Mr Frank Brown managing director HW Stampings. 2 vibration feeder As well as dealing with the Forgings produced at Stockton are 3 induction furnace principles and theoretical aspects of : mainlycircuiarfortheautomotive the process and its commercial j industry and include tail shaft 4 Rotaform advantages Ray described in some I flanges, bevel pinions, clutch discs detail the installation at Stockton ! and gear blanks ranging in weight 5 trimming presses HEAT EXCHANGERS FiR MEXICO... HWT has won an order worth approximately fl\m for the design and supply of 1 5 heat exchangers for Mexico. The order which was placed by Petroleos Mexicanos covers the thermal and mechanical design and engineering of 15 special alloy shell and tube heat exchangers for an oil refinery at Tula Hidalgo. Design work on the contract has already started and the exchangers which will be fabricated at Teesdale works are scheduled for delivery early next year. ...ANEIISI RUNCORN The photographr/g'/jf shows a typical heat exchanger manufactured by HWT leaving the Thornaby works earlier this month. This is an Inconel lined reactor for ICI Runcorn, 4-3 mdia. 7-9 m long, weight 53 tonnes.

Group one black and white or colour prints MANIPULATOR THE 1973 Group two transparencies FOR BSC AMATEUR Prizes in each group The largest manipulator ever 1st £3 supplied by The HW Machine 2nd £2 Company is currently being built at SNAPSHOT 3rd £1 their Middlesbrough works for the Send your entries with your name, British Steel Corporation's Cargo COMPETITION company and department to; Fleet Works where it will handle F Mothersdale blooms in the cogging mill up to Purchasing department 10 tonnes in weight It is valued at The panel of judges will be looking Head Wrightson Teesdale Ltd approximately £300,000 and for interesting photographs PO Box 10 weighs over 100 tonnes. portraying people in action whether Stockton-on-Tees HW Foundries are supplying they be young or old—at work or Teesside castings for this manipulator and at play. TS17 6AZ the two pairs of moveable heads Open to all employees of the Please mark envelope 'snapshots' each of which weighs between 14 Head Wrightson group of Closing date 12 October 1973 and 15 tonnes will be cast at the companies Entries returned 31 October Billingham steel foundry. 1973 As the manipulator cannot be Each employee may submit a total Please note the organisers cannot installed when the rolling mill is in of four entries, which this year will accept responsibility for damaged operation this will be done during be split into two groups as follows : or lost photographs. the Christmas holiday period and modifications have already been made by H WM to the existing mill CLOSING DATE 12 OCTOBER'73 at Cargo Fleet during the summer holidays in preparation for this.

6 HW Stampings DF Aistrup/V7 machinery for COMPANY TRAINING too I ma king L Crone HI machinery for NEWS toolmaking TIE LW Gretton HI machinery for toolmaking Mary Burton Trophy S King A/7 machinery for toolmaking 1972-3 N Moses H22 diemaking This coveted award is presented B Suggett HI machinery for annually to the outstanding toolmaking apprentice of the year in the H W A Thomas Ay 7 machinery for Training Centre. The winner this toolmaking year was Derek Rowling a GFThomasAy7 machinery for draughtsman with R&D Division toolmaking and the silver trophy, donated by I Thompson HI machinery for Arthur Burton HW Teesdale in toolmaking memory of his wife Mary, was HW Teesdale presented to Derek by the Chairman, AE Coulson D1 thick plate working Sir John Wrightson. Derek retains AN FWnn H3 mechanical fitting the cup for one year and also B P H ilIs D 7 thick plate working receives an inscribed tankard as a JE K\rxoo H3 mechanical fitting perpetual memento of the occasion. AS Parry D 7 thick plate working M J Stone D1 thick plate working

John Kirton/HWTeesdale It is interesting to note that one of the EITB stipulations is that to receive his Certificate of Craftsmanship the recipient must be at least 19 years of age. John Kirton completed all the EITB requirements except this one two months before his 19th birthday and became the youngest HW trainee who has so far completed the minimum requirements. Derek, who is ^ 8 years old, plays . wing threequarters for the Teesside Stephen Simpson/ Polytechnic rugby 1st team and is HW Machine Co a keen hiker having completed the well known Lyke Wake Walk' Stephen, an apprentice maintenance three times. fitter (not yet 20 years old), has just completed his third EITB Awards to 1972-3 training module and is the only trainees HW trainee to continue in the scheme after reaching the minimum Prior to the presentation of the required standard of two modules. above trophy. Sir John presented Now, with the approval of his certificates to 47 trainees who had supervisors, he has commenced a successfully completed their basic fourth module which he plans to training course in the HW Training complete early next year. The Centre. modules are mechanical maintenance parts one and two and Module training successes maintenance of factory services Congratulations lo the following parts one and two. Very well done trainees who have successfully Stephen on an outstanding completed training modules, performance! validated by the Engineering Industry Training Board (EITB) Grosvenor Steel lAA Mahoney/Grosvenor Steel D Lee D1 thick plate working Congratulations to Tony Mahoney HW Machine Co GSF Ltd, Audenshaw on This special tie has been produced S DuXlon H3 fitting 1 successfully passing the in the HW colours of silver, grey and A Fryer H2 turning 1 Chartered Accountants final black and is available at a cost of 40p R fryer H2 turning 1 examination. He has also been to all employees of the Head 1(3 jQr\esH3 fitting 1 admitted to the Institute of Wrightson Group. See notice boards A Kirkham H3 fitting 1 Chartered Accountants as an for further information. F Woodward H3 fitting 1 Associate Member. WEAR YOUR COLOURS I

7 1 HW Teesdale: ON THE MOVE each converter shell was fabricated at Thornaby and despatched in The photographs in this article show measured 8 90m in diameter and three pieces to the company's how the first of three BOS 2 10m in depth. Large-scale Middlesbrough Works by... converter shells and trunnion rings shipping operations of this type 2 low loader: were transported from our are taken very much in our stride (photo by Evening Gazette) Thornaby works to BSC Llanwern at HW and perhaps many of us do this one bearing a trunnion ring in Monmouthshire. Each not realise how much work goes wound its circuitous way across consignment weighed 260 tonnes. into these operations. The following Teesside in the early hours one The converter shells measured list of people who assisted in the Sunday morning to Middlesbrough 8 33m in diameterand 9 07m in Llanwern operation gives some Docks. The three piece converter height, and the trunnion rings idea of the scope of the task. shells were delivered to...

3 Dock & Marine Structures Division, Middlesbrough where the three sections of converter shells were assembled on bogies and welded together. The OUR THANKS TO: completed shells were then transported on the bogies to the (with apologies for any omissions) Company's quay for...

The Department of the Environment for permission to move the loads by public road

Sunter Bros Ltd for the hire of their low loaders

Teesside Constabulary for the police escort

The Post Office for moving the Sussex Street post box

Teesside Corporation for removing traffic lights and other street furniture

Early Sunday morning motorists for their tolerance

Tees & Hartlepool Port Authority for taking down a gate and stretch of fence at Middlesbrough Docks

The Teesside Dock workers who helped to load the ship

Clarkson Bros £r Caspar of Middlesbrough Shipping Agents

The Holseher Line who provided the ship

The crew of the Gloria Siderum

Messrs Van Der Weest of Holland who provided the pontoon and ocean tug The Robert A

Ashmead Ltd for the hire of an inshore tug

Wynn Transport Co for the hire of low-loaders at Llanwern

BSC Llanwern who built a special wharf to receive the loads

Sir Robt McAlpine Ltd who supplied cranes at the wharf

CEG B who shut down a high tension cable for the load to pass under 6 a pontoon: safely which brought the fabrications through shallow waters to the And of course all the staff and employees of Head Wrightson who were temporary wharf at... involved.

8 4 loading onto the ship: a specially constructed heavy lift ship with three hulls which collected the trunnion ring first from Middlesbrough Docks and then picked up the converter shell at...

5 the Head Wrightson quay: the first shell and ring were taken round the coast 'south about' by the Gloria Siderum in April (a 680 mile journey which took three days) and unloaded three miles from Llanwern onto...

7 1

8 the new Basic Oxygen Steelmaking plant: when they are commissioned later this year each of the converters will be capable of producing 175 tonnes of steel in 16 minutes.

7 BSC Llanwern: Just one contract, just one where a low loader went aboard the journey, but typical of Head pontoon, jacked up the loads and Wrightson on the move. set them down in ...

9 FROM THE FAMiT ALBUM With the completion of the 'year end work' and the publication of the financial accounts our family album snapshot reminisces on an accounts/costs party held in 1950 which at that time was an annual event. Many of the staff shown in the photograph still actively 'figure' in accounts work but the high stools, benches and old fashioned pen and ink have been discarded and much of the ledger work is now computerised.

Our new travel agent devoted much personal time to the work of instructing their fellow Pat Wakellng is now running employees in the valuable Cook's travel office in The Friarage knowledge of first aid. The HW at Yarm. This office which takes first aid groups are voluntary care of all Head Wrightson travel organisations associated with the and accommodation arrangements British Red Cross. was opened in February under the The red cross emblem is universally management of Brian Conder who recognised as the relief of suffering. is now assistant manager of Whether it be for relief to the Thomas Cook's, Middlesbrough. victims of earthquake, floods or war, relief to the aged and infirm, the sick in hospital and at home, or in the case of our first aiders—to give immediate help and assistance to those of us who are the unfortunate victims of an accident whether at work, on the road or in our own home. Do you possess a knowledge of Jacky Bullock Thornaby foundry first aid ? If not and you are and Harry Collins BiHingham interested why not join one of the foundry are two of the voluntary HW groups this autumn-you will chief instructors with our be made very welcome. respective first aid groups at

Thornaby and Billingham. photos: Both men possess many years of Jacky Bullock bottom /eft and experience in first aid and have Harry Collinsi?e/oiv PLEASE!!

OMci (Midv Ivjine

t^

10 HW'S OLDEST LIVING MALE PENSIONER

Robert Peck is enjoying life to the full. This year he has celebrated his diamond wedding anniversary, his 87th birthday and a retirement in excess of twenty-two years. Since retiring from his position of forge superintendent at H W Stampings in 1951, Mr Peck has led a very full life. His many interests include active participation in church activities; a keen interest in bowling in which, until very recently, he was taking an active at Stockport, working 7 days per In 1 928, ai the age of 44, he joined part in competitions, and travel, his week on a 12-hour shift system as HW at Thornaby in charge of the holidays taking him to all parts of shift foreman and realised then that stamp shop. Bob was one of a short the British Isles. his future lay In supervision and list of six from 80 applicants and Hethinks nothing of jumping on a organisation. when asked by the interviewer what bus or train and visiting his old In 1918 he applied for a job with he thought it would cost to make colleagues at the Seaton Works— the Austin Motor Company, as a railway coupling, answered—'4/- and telling the 'youngsters' how to stamp shop superintendent but was if I make it your way and 21- if I make forgings, in addition to being not successful in obtaining this make it mine'. Accountancy the honoured guest every year at position. As an alternative he was techniques and classifications—and the Stampings Christmas lunch. offered the position of assistant accountants—have certainly changed since 1928 but costs were The photograph (top left) of Mr chief inspector in their shell shop, costs then just as now and Mr Peck and Mrs Peck on the occasion of which he accepted. This position continued on page 12 their diamond wedding anniversary he held successfully until 1921. photo top left in May this year depicts the couple For six months during 1921 he was in good form and looking forward out of work. He drew neither dole Mr & Mrs Peck recently celebrated their to many more happy years. nor Public Assistance, living on his Diamond Wedding Anniversary and the Although Bob', as he is savings which he supplemented photo shows Mr Frank Brown managing universally known, is now taking by gathering and selling director HW Stampings when he called things easy in Saltburn, he has blackberries. at their home to offer congratulations many years' experience of hard work In 1922, he was fortunate to get a photo top right behind him. job with the BSA Company as Bob in the old stamp shop at Thornaby He was born in Lincoln on 26 April first assistant to the superintendent works during the early 1930s 1886 and his working life started of the stamp shop, the art of forging photo below Pictured recently during one of his when he was 1 2 years old, now being in his blood and his delivering 100 newspapers every regular visits to Seaton Works with, future career in the industry well grouped around him, some of Mr morning for which he received 21- established. Peck's former apprentices per week—sufficient to buy seven Z\\b loaves and feed the family for a week. In 1899, when 13, he left school to become a grocer's errand boy, delivering orders on a heavy handcart. This earned him 4/- for a 57^-hour week which, after two years, increased to 6/- per week. In 1902 Bob commenced his apprenticeship as a blacksmith with Clayton Shuttleworth of Lincoln where his father was foreman, starting at the age of 1 6 at 6/- per week, completing six years later at 22/- per week. During this period he clearly learned the basic knowledge of forging which he was able to put to such effective use in later years. He left Lincoln in 191 5 to work for the Lancashire Dynamo Company

11 MrS Bates/accounts dept years. He has had a long ' At a retirement presentation in the association with active participation BITliE grounds of The Friarage, Yarm in HW social and welfare on Thursday 12 July the Chairman, committees and with the sports IMENTS Sir John Wrightson presented to activities at Teesdale Park. He was Mr S Bates assistant chief also Chairman of the Employees 50 years' service with accountant HW a Co Ltdq\i\s of Council Finance Committee from Massey three occasional tables and a radio 1 967 until his retirement this year. on behalf of his colleagues at Yarm Mr Daniel Green recently retired and from around the HW Group. photo below after fifty years' service with B&S Syd started as an office boy in 1 922 left to right: fK^ Howard commercial Massey. At a presentation held at and was first posted to the cashiers, Openshaw, Dan received a director. Dan Green. AA Thomas he then transferred to the accounts managing director. EV Davies portable TV set from his fellow department where he later became managing director Alfred Simpson Ltd workers and a cheque which were assistant to Percy Corney for many and JH CaWaqhan sales director presented by Mr AA Thomas managing director. Dan started with the company in 1923 as an estimator in the sales department. For a short period in 1927 he served in the accounts department and then returned to the salesdepartment on estimating. He was appointed the company cashier in 1 953, succeeding the former cashier, Alf Beebe who had also served 50 years with the Company. Mr Green has been an active member of the B&S Massey Social Clubchoir and has acted as Father Christmas at the annual Children's Party for many years—a job the Social Club hopes he will be able to fulfil for many years to come.

continued from page 11 got the job. He very capably held the position of stamp shop superintendent until 1947 when he semi-retired but he had a further 3^ years with the Company in an advisory capacity until he finally retired. Whilst employed by HW Stampings Bob was noted for his efforts in producing in 1937 at the Teesdale stamp shop, all the tie rods, nuts and jaws for the Chelsea Bridge. He also achieved notability and respect in the forging industry through his published award- winning papers on drop forging practices. In line with his obvious technical bias Bob is still remembered for introducing into the die sinking industry some new measuring terms such as a 'scant sixteenth' and 'a full sixty-fourth'. Nobody had explained it that way before to the head of the die design department who would not use anything less accurate than seven figure log tables for his calculations. Mr Peck is one of Head Wrightson's unforgettable characters— long may he continue so.

12 Stampings presentations J G Good HW Teesdale bridge yard LONG SERVICE JH Howsden HW Stampings The centre photo (opposite page) L Marshall shows Mr A Clark centre left and HW&Co Ltd accounts/costs MrAE Goodacrecentrer/ghtaXxer AWARDS RE Metcalfe receiving retirement presentations HW Foundries Thornaby Foundry on behalf of their colleagues from The annual presentation of Long T O'Neill Mr PF Pugh works director HW Service Awards was made by the HW Foundries Iron Founding Div Stampings. Alf Clark was Chairman Sir John Wrightson on CH Soppet permanent night shift ambulance Thursday 19 April. HWFtCo Ltd training centre room attendant from 1964 until The recipients were: TH Sxones HW Stampings his recent retirement. dSNn^hxHW Australia Mr Goodacre worked nine years in 50 years' continuous service the die shop from 1960 and then S Bates HW&Co Ltd accounts dept Mr Jack Wright managing director transferred to the maintenance W Laing HW Teesdale machine shop HW Australia received his 40-year department where he remained J Summerbell HW PEL erection dept award from Sir John earlier in the until his retirement. He is an year when Jack was on a visit to 40 years' continuous service the UK from Sydney. accomplished snooker player and L Burns HW Teesdale machine shop intends to devote more time to this JTCox top photo skilful hobby. HW Foundries Stockton Foundry /eft to right: John Summerbell, Syd Bates Mr Pugh also made a presentation SR Duckett and Walter Laing on behalf of the colleagues of HW Teesdale bridge yard centre photo Mr Jack Green (photo opposite J Frosdick The 40-year award group 1972-3 page, bottom left) to mark his HW Teesdale machine shop lower photo retirement after 23 years' service. SH Gilchrist Jack worked in the die shop for Some of the lady guests at the HW Foundries Stockton Foundry presentation of the Long Service Awards nineteen years until 1 968 and then worked in the maintenance department for four years.

Mr J Wellum/HW Teesdale Due toil! health, Mr Jack Wellum HWTeesdale machine shop manager retired at the end of June after 28 years' service The photo (opposite page, bottom right) shows Mr Herbert Wright presenting a cheque to Jack on behalf of his colleagues in Teesdale Works. Later in the evening at a special retirement party, Mr R Purnell commercial director HW Teesdale presented a radio and an electric drill on behalf of the staff. Also at the party, a surprise presentation was made by MrWWallaceon behalf of the works of a model of a heat exchanger. We wish each of the following personnel a long and happy retirement: HW Foundries—Billingham W Lawson 50 years' service HW Foundries—Iron Founding Division H Walker 49 years' service HW Machine Co K Tait 24 years' service BBS Massey D Green 50 years' service HW Stampings A Clark 11 years' service AE Goodacre 12 years' service HWTeesdale L Dalkin 38 years' service J Elsdon 15 years' service W Laing 57 years' service T Murphy 72 years' service A Watson 27 years' service J Wellum 26 years' service

13 THE WHITE ROSE WALK

Once again members and friends of The HW Machine Co Staff Social and Benevolent Fund put on their boots and took to the moors on their annual walk, held this year on Saturday 9 June. Having in previous years conquered the Lyke Wake Walk in both directions and done the rounds of the Three Peaks of Yorkshire they trod new ground this year and tackled the White Rose Walk. This walk takes its name from two well known landmarks in NE Yorkshire which it links, the White Horse, on the hill-side near Kilburn,and Roseberry Topping, near . The route Ready to go again on Battersby Moor Should any reader care to enjoy this initially follows the escarpment of most exhilarating walk, the the Hambleton Hills, with extensive who simply placed a large stone following time table may be of views westwards to the Pennines, over fall-outs, ours were assisted assistance: then, from a point just south of to the transport of the support party r/ep White Horse 8.30am Black Hambleton to the highest to complete the day in comparative arr Sneck Yate 10.05am point of the on comfort. t/ep Sneck Yate 10.25am , walkers have a choiceof Eventually, as the sun began to set arr Wheat Beck 12.00noon three routes, and finally it follows seven walkers, now separated by cfep Wheat Beck 12.45pm the line of hills circling Ingleby their varying degrees of arr Chop Gate 2.25pm Greenhow round to Roseberry exhaustion, limped to their final rfep Chop Gate 3.00pm Topping via Kildale and Captain resting place at Newton under arr Battersby Moor 5.25pm Cook's Monument. Roseberry vowing never to put foot dep Battersby Moor 6.10pm On this occasion the short route' in boot again ... until next year! arr Newton under of some 34 miles was followed Roseberry 8.20pm first cutting across from Black The successful walkers were: 8.bOpm last Hambleton to Urra Moor via Wheat D Clouston, J Dale, M Harling, Beck, on the Osmotherley to GS Harrison, G Struthers, A more detailed guide to this walk Hawnby road and Chop Gate. S Woolard, J Wordsworth. written by Geoffrey White, Ten walkers set off from the White All were grateful to the support Recorder for the Yorkshire Horse at 8.30 am on a bright but party and their transport cheerfully Wayfarers, and published as a cloudy morning. The previous spell driven by A Christison and Dalesman Mini-Book, is available of fine weather meant that the L Richardson. from most booksellers, price 20p. route was dry and the initial miles were covered more quickly than anticipated; consequently the leading walkers reached the first support point at Sneck Yate ahead The Moor of the support party, but these kildale welcome friends soon arrived and White Rose our refreshments gratefully Hasty e

14 SPORT & SOCIAL 700 entrants took part in this year's interdeparimenial competitions, details of which are as follows ('72 comparisonsareshown in brackets) : Bowls—single rink 25 teams of 4 players (23) | Bowls—three rink 10 teams of 12 players (9) Cricket—^^ teams (10) Darts—^ 6 teams of 5 players (16) Darts—individual OA entrants (53) Football—\ teams (1 5) The football competition provided some really entertaining matches which resulted in an exciting all- Teesdale final between the bridge yard and the office. Bridge Yard emerged the victors and during the celebrations in the club following the match Teesdale's managing director Mr John Edwards presented the cup to their captain Alan Mawby and also congratulated the office captain Tom Newbold on the excellent match between the two teams. The results of the darts competitions j were as follows: Individual: Winner Alan Fawcett i Thornaby Foundry | Runner-up Jack Morgan HW PFL Team event: Winners Thornaby Foundry dressing yard | Runners-up Stockton Foundry ! Theothersemi-finalists were HW PEL 'A' team and Teesdale Bridge Yard 'A' team. At the time of going to press the bowls and cricket competitions are in full swing and the fine summer evenings are bringing many spectators to the various matches at Teesdale Park. top photo HW Teesdale bridge yard team. 1973 HWM Staff Benevolent Bowl as the twelve cars set off in Interdepartmental Football Competition brilliant sunshine on their journey winners: & Social Fund into the unknown. However, front row left to right frustration soon developed among R Humphreys Team Manager. The annual bowls drive was held the car crews as they tried to P Wennington, A Coulson, D Longstaff, on 14 June at Teesdale Park, the unscramble the 41 clues on the A Mawby Capt. E Garbutt, M Cronesberry winner being R Thompson with route which ended with a pie and back row ieft to right A Christison and R Cooper joint peas supper at Guisborough. Stan E Allsop, G Gascoyne, J Dalkin. C Hardy, runners-up. T Muldowney, K Moody Woolard was declared the winner by one point over Brian Wren. lower photo This year's annual car treasure hunt HW Teesdale office team. 1973 had to be organised in two heats Interdepartmental Football Competition which were held during May and Photographic Society runners-up: June. All the competitors enjoyed front row left to right themselves even though one or Members of the photographic P McLean, G O'Neill. F Iceton, JF Heath, society held a portrait session J Green, T Newbold Capt two had to resort to opening the back row left to right: sealed envelope to determine the recently, the modelling being J Rennolds, B Pearson, M McPartland, finishing point. The final produced undertaken by two ladies from the S Todd Sub. C Simpson. B Munson keen competition for the Rose drawing office.

15 Best wishes to newly weds Stuart and Lesley McTomney. Lesley, Senior Staff Guild a secretary at R&D, first met former laboratory technician Stuart at At the Annual General Meeting R&D. held on 17 April 1 973 a special motion for the winding up of the Guild's affairs was defeated by a majority vote. It was stated at the meeting that the original aim of the Guild was perhaps more appropriate today than when originally formed in 1952, namely : 'with the object of members of the various HW companies/divisions getting to know one another better and fostering the spirit of co-operation which was essential in the difficult period in which we were living'. A new Council was formed and subsequently officers appointed as follows: President Barry Hope R&D Division Secretary George Wilks Varm Treasurer f red Mothersdale AVIV Teesdale Council George Cooper HW Teesdale Council Bill Distin R&D Division Council Maurice McGarvey HW Teesdale HWcrlcket section SILVER Council Harold Morris HW Teesdale At the AG M of the Cricket Section, Council Les Usher HW Teesdale held in the Social Club on 9 April WEDDINGS 1973 the following officials were Council Jack Wood HW Teesdale A number of silver wedding elected: The new Council have had several anniversaries have been reported on lively meetings and are most keen Chairman D Fryer this occasion and Wright Ahead and determined to resuscitate and Secretary M Pratt extends sincere congratulations and update the Guild's image within Treasurer K Haggerstone good wishes to the following : the original objects. 1st Team Capt D Fryer Mr&MrsJEChesser The first social occasion was held in 1st Team Vice Capt G Bell HW Machine Co 2nd Team Capt D Coupland June at the Friarage, Yarm, when Mr & Mrs E Donne HW Stampings 2nd Team Vice Capt D Carr members and their ladies enjoyed a Mr & Mrs K Davies HW Machine Co Selection A fryer pleasant stroll around the grounds Mr & Mrs J Stalker and participated in a putting HW Machine Co competition. After refreshments, a Mr & Mrs JW Scott HW Machine Co domino drive was held, a simple game perhaps but one which Stampings walk out! provoked a lot of fun for many On Sundays July four young ladies non-regular players. from Stampings' successfully walked 25 miles in aid of charity. MDNTHLY The event, organised by members of Hartlepool Round Table, was to Scottish fishing channplon raise funds to buy a caravan to NEWSLETTER John Smiles, one of several keen provide a holiday home for needy A new monthly newsletter for all anglers in HW PEL Thornaby, families. Head Wrightson employees was entered this year's Scottish Open The girls, Shirley Butler, Susan launched in July. Fishing Championship Competition Forster, Jean Ouinn and Audrey The object of the publication is to which was held at Kilsyth on the Wilson had not attempted a major keep our employees abreast of Forth of Clyde Canal. There were walk before but, with a little current events within the HW over 500 entries and John scooped training and the encouraging Group. It is intended to reflect a the prizes (and prize money) with financial sponsorship provided by variety of activities and the first an all-time record catch of 12 kg. management, staff and friends, edition contained an invitation to 1973 appears to be a good they dare not fail. readers to contribute items of news fishing year for John for he has Very well done girls—I'm sure your which they consider interesting. since landed more big catches in colleaguesdid not mind paying other competitions. outthe £35 you collected.

16 SOCIAL CLUB CLUBLAND IS THE BESTLAND The following officials of the Social The following is an interesting that they had appeared in Club were elected at the AG M extract from 'Clubland News' dated Opportunity Knocks. Grampian held on 24 May 1973. June 1973 which describes an Television, and had worked with Secretary J Bradford Teesdale evening in the Social Club by one Vera Lynn. The Clark Bros, and Bridge Yard of their reporters. lately Stewart Gillies. I felt really Treasurer YSI Ferguson Maintenance sorry for the persons who stayed Garage It was my great pleasure to be asked away on this talented night, because Committee K Moody Teesdale to the Head Wrightson Club. this act will not be available for Bridge Yard Thornaby. on Tuesday. 24 April. at least another year. They are Committee B Westwood Teesdale The Club put on a ladies'football booked solid and, after a season Bridge Yard match on the sports field, followed in Jersey, they go on to the Committee R Oliver Teesdale Bridge by entertainment afterwards in the Continent. Yard club concert room. All proceeds \ for the football match—the Committee L E\owv\ from a collection held went to the I result was a draw and lots of stiff Committee GA MaxUxas Associate benefit of Middlesbrough Nazareth limbs afterwards. Mr JH Hunt was re-elected House. During the interval. Mrs Ferguson, Entertainments Secretary and an It certainly was a night to on behalf of the ladies' section, ex-officio member of the remember. It was my very good handed the sum of £10 to yours Committee fortune to see and hear the truly, to be foi warded to Nazareth wonderful harmony of the fabulous House. A truly commendable action show group. 'The Blue Harmony \ one with which I was pleased Boys', hacked by the club's resident to comply. drummer. Geoff Peacock, who I do wish more visitors would use incidentally must be one of the this great little club, where a truly best in the area. These four artistes friendly welcome awaits them. TALENT simply had everything. Led by The Club secretary. Mr Sam Richard Hardman. they gave a Ferguson, and concert secretary. COMPETITIONperformance which I have seldom Mr Joe Hunt, with the help of the seen equalled, but the highlight of ladies' section, certainly did the harmony was surely the blending everything possible to make this The Club Committee propose to notes of the three trumpets. These night the huge success it was and arrange a 'Go as you please' talent boys are a sure-fire winner to any to live up to the motto of competition in the autumn. club. Richard told me afterwards •CLUBLAND IS THFBEST LAND'. Sam Ferguson is certain that there is a lot of hidden talent around the varioussubsidiaries. So watch the notice boards for further information about this event.

GARDEN PRODUCE SHOW

Saturday, 25 August The Annual Garden Produce and Handicrafts Show in the HW Social Club, Teesdale Park, Thornaby Entries open to all HW employees and theirfamilies 50 classes of vegetables, fruit, flowers and handicrafts, with various sections for children's entries. All exhibits to be tabled by 2 pm. Head Wrightson & Co Ltd Yarm Telephone: Eaglescliffe 781010 Yorkshire Telex: 58-606 Cables: Teesdale Stockton-on-Tees TS15 9DA

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