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RANK XEROX

Jan/Feb 1990 No. 199

The house magazine of Rank Xerox Mitcheldean Presenting — Mitcheldean^s millionth machine WE HUNG out the banners, He brought with him messages flashed electronic messages of of congratulation from Xerox top welcome to our guests and management. broadcast the proceedings Joining him and site director throughout the plant when, on 14 David Stokes on the podium was December, a Xerox 5014 came Dick Holmes, vice president and down the line. director of European Royal College principal Gareth Niclioils is presented with our It was a rather special Manufacturing Operations, millionth copier by apprentice/trainee Jeremy Addis. machine, however — the making one of his last millionth new copier to be appearances at Mitcheldean executive of the Forest of Dean who had been with us for over 30 produced at Mitcheldean. before his retirement. District Council, and Les Tuffley, years and who were associated With us to celebrate this David extended a warm chairman of Mitcheldean Parish with the production of the very landmark in our history was welcome to the gathering who Council (Les worked on site for first machine manufactured at former corporate vice president included not only senior Xerox 40 years before he retired). Mitcheldean — the 914, so called Frank Pipp, now a consultant at and Rank Xerox management but Another key guest was Gareth because it took paper up to 9 in. x senior staff level, who was group also local MP Paul Marland, Eric NichoUs, principal of the Royal 14 in. in size. director responsible for Radley, County Forest of Dean College. Although the company had manufacturing and supply in Council chairman, Arthur There were among the been in Mitcheldean in one form Rank Xerox in the '70s. Cooper, chairman and chief audience a number of employees or another since 1940, it was not until late 1959 that this, the first Frank Pipp conveys the congratulations of Xerox top management. With him EMOare vice president and director Dick xerographic machine, was made Holmes and Mitcheldean's director David Stokes. The backcloth shows models•e havew produced since 1960. in Britain. Until that time, as long-servers know, the factory was making cine cameras and projectors under licence from Bell & Howell. The 914 was the first automatic copying machine, able to produce copies at the touch of a button. It was, however, slow and cumbersome with a copy speed of seven per minute, and the company had forecast that 750 machines would be sold over five years before the market was saturated. Mitcheldean Plant — The production of our millionth copier 30 years later national award winners thus beat the original requirement From the left — handsomely! Realisation of the machine's • Best Factories Award revolutionary potential came • Environmental Commendation quickly with the most extraordinary explosion of s British Quality Award demand for these and subsequent

Continued overleaf 1 Continued from page I. copiers. Once installed with customers, the copiers were switched on, long queues formed, and the revolution in the office had begun. Eventually 200,000 Xerox 914s were produced in factories around the world. Since 1959, Mitcheldean plant has been involved in the manufacture of no less than 34 types of copier. These have included the 813/660, the 3100 and 3600 families, the 4000 family, the "So as to ensure that our 5400, the 9000 family, the very business needs are communicated successful 10 Series and, most and understood, we have recently, the 50 Series — through embarked upon a process of the 5046, 5018/5028 and developing much closer links with 5012/5014. educational establishments in the Said David Stokes: "As an area. indication of how successful our "This process, I am sure, will product is and of the growing enable us to define industry's market, I would point out that it requirements, and enable took 25 years to produce the first educational institutions to provide half million new copiers, and only us with young people who have five years to produce the second the education and training to meet half million. I hope the trend our needs. continues!" • If all the one million machines milestones achieved during the "We have worked very closely Sharing some further facts and built here at Mitcheldean were course of 1989," said David with the Royal Forest of Dean figures, he said that: working together today, they Stokes. College for a number of years, • Of the one million copiers we would be producing the He spoke of the 1989 Best and are very appreciative of the have produced, over 80 per cent, staggering sum of 22 million Factories Award, featured in our help and efforts given to training are exported. copies per minute! last issue, which established many of our young people. • The copier produced in the Mitcheldean as a benchmark "We thought an appropriate • If all the machines were placed highest volume at Mitcheldean factory, well above the UK gesture in recognition of this alongside one another, they would was the 1025 with 148,000 units average and equal to the world's close working relationship would reach to Land's End and back manufactured. best in the areas of quality, be to donate to the College the again. • The largest machine produced productivity, cost and customer one millionth copier produced at was the 9700 which the "Today's event is not only a satisfaction Mitcheldean." refurbishing department still work recognition of one million copiers On 19 October we achieved Then a buzzer sounded, the on today; the smallest was the produced at Mitcheldean, but also two million safe working hours specially labelled 5014 copier was 1012. of several other significant for the first time, establishing a lifted on to the pack line, and duly corporate benchmark. emerged at the end but minus the On 4 December we received usual packaging. an award in respect of It was presented to college We get 'Gold Disc' for environmental improvements principal Gareth Nicholls by one carried out as a result of the of our apprentice/trainees, Jeremy millionth best seller Mitcheldean Enterprise Addis. Workshops project (featured on He also handed over an page 4). inscribed brass plaque bearing the Then, just prior to the logos of the British Quality millionth machine celebration, Award and the Best Factories had come the news that the joint Award. management/trade union job Thanking the company evaluation team had won a warmly for this Christmas gift, corporate Team Excellence Mr Nicholls said it would be award. placed in the college's library of It all added up to a fine finish resource learning where it could for 1989. be used by students. Looking to the 1990s, David spoke of the Mitcheldean 2(XX) Time for a memento strategy which would involve As a memento of the occasion, significant investments in each of every employee received a the areas of our business, and travelling clock, with a personal would ensure that Mitcheldean message from David Stokes. One for the record—David Stokes receives our chart-ii, . rd from operated as a truly world-class He explained that the gift was Gareth Nicholls. manufacturing unit. also in recognition of the efforts THERE WAS a surprise middle-aged expert on pop "I am sure that the strategy made during the year by the addition to the awards which music", and he was used to will be instrumental in our Mitcheldean team towards Mitcheldean has collected in hearing all about who was top celebrating the production of two meeting the objectives of: 1989. of the charts. million copiers within the next ten • a 25 per cent improvement in In expressing his thanks for "Mitcheldean copiers make years. product quality; the gift of our millionth copier perfect copies of anybody's "In order to meet many of the • achievement of inventory to the Royal Forest of Dean material," he asserted, and he objectives that we have set targets by end October; College, Gareth Nicholls said was pleased to present the ourselves as part of M2(XX), it will • two million working hours that, as the father of two teenage company with a 'Gold Disc' to be important that we continue to without a lost time accident; children, he had become "a mark its millionth best seller! engage and train young people • and 1(X) per cent, delivery within business. performance at year end. Changes in EMO organisation Raymond Stark, formeriy plant DICK HOLMES, vice president leadership, the European Stephen Tiemey who joined manager, new build operations, and director of European Manufacturing Organisation has Xerox in 1972 and has held has been appointed vice president, Manufacturing Operations, retired established a legacy of success by several key positions in finance, materials management, also with on 31 January this year. He joined consistently responding to the planning and supply/demand effect from 1 January, 1990. Xerox in 1972 and has spent his needs of their customers. He including that of vice president, He joined Xerox in 1963 and career with EMO. added that Dick is an excellent control and planning, his most has held a variety of key positions In announcing the resulting businessman who has made recent assignment being that of in production control, materials organisational changes, Eric significant contributions to vice president, materials management, supply/demand and Steenburgh, senior vice president Xerox's success. management. manufacturing operations. and general manager, D&M He is succeeded as vice He took up his new Both Tiemey and Stark report (MO), said that, under Dick's president and director, EMO, by appointment on 1 January, 1990. to Steenburgh. A model gift for Dick THE LATEST claimant to the happy retirement." A 'reduced copy'of the title of 'the smallest copier ever On behalf of Mitcheldean Xerox 5014 — seen against the original. made at Mitcheldean' is a version plant, David then presented him of the Xerox 5014 which, as you with the 5014 replica and also a can see from the picture here, is a brass plaque, engraved with palm-top rather than a desk-top verses in true Forest dialect, machine. illustrated by a familiar local Measuring just five square ruminant! inches, it's a marvel of Dick was highly delighted miniaturisation. But despite the with the novel gifts, which were print it appears to have produced made entirely by the building 5 (of a sheep!) it isn't operational. staff pictured below. The copier was built specially Paying tribute to his as a retirement gift for Dick management team, he said he Holmes from Mitcheldean. had seen tremendous Site director David Stokes improvements since he took presented it to him at a dinner over as EMO director and he held in his honour on 14 had greatly enjoyed his time December, which was attended by working in . Frank Pipp and senior UK for machines before, but this was European Manufacturing the first time I've ever made a Operations staff. Representing our skills whole copier!" he told us. "It was Dick joined Rank Xerox in an unusual challenge and I platen and edged the trays in blue. 1975 and was deputy Mitcheldean management had enjoyed it." Finally, the little copier was manufacturing director for three wanted to give him some The copier lid, fixed in the mounted on ash wood and a brass years before becoming director of memento which would be open position so one could see plate suitably inscribed was manufacturing & supply and, representative of operations on inside to the plastic platen, was added. more recently, vice president and site and demonstrate the unique made separately; so too were the director, European Manufacturing skills available here. trays which were Dave Hart's High tech. ram Operations. They presented the challenge contribution. "His manufacturing to parts manufacturing staff, who The user instructions on the In contrast to these manual accountability has spanned all the responded in an imaginative way. console were correct down to the skills, the illustration on the Western European manufacturing It was Chris Barnard who smallest detail — Chris Clarke plaque — a Forest ram (64K plants in Spain, Holland, France came up with the idea of a copier took a series of photographs of RAM?) — was designed and and the UK, as well as embracing replica. the 5014 console until he processed through CAD/CAM. others in India and even Eastern The main credit for its achieved the exact size required It was created on an Intergraph European countries," said David. creation, however, goes to Ron and this was cut out and glued machine by Roger Bailey, while "We have come to know and Evans who, working with a 5014 into position. Roy Chamberlain drove the respect Dick's broad business beside him, fashioned the one-in- The paintwork was carried out machine which took the design on experience and management style, five scale model out of a solid by Graham Lockwood and Roy to the brass plaque. John Davies and we all wish him and his wife block of aluminium. Davis; they even coloured in the engraved the verses, and the Paula a long, successful and "I've made emergency parts green registration lines on the plaque too was mounted on ash. The team who carried out the project—from left. Ron Evans. Dave Hart. Roy Chamberlain, John Davies (all of small The final lines, "Best of luck, batch). Roy Davis and Graham Lockwood (paint shop), Roger Bailey and Chris Barnard (technical support) and Chris owld butt, thou bist welcome any Clarke, engineering manager, parts manufacturing. time," aptly expressed the feelings of Dick's many friends at A rewarding enterprise — viewed from any angle

FOR THE past five years management of natural resources. numerous small businesses have What makes them unique is been 'brewing" in the MEWS, that the assessors represent a wide their products ranging from cross-section of business — last microtechnology to wood• year they came from working. organisations like Plessey, CEGB. In the early 1980s, the brewery National Westminster Bank, buildings, from which the whole British Rail, and the Nature modem Rank Xerox plant had Con.servancy Council. sprung, became surplus to Holiday villages, docks, requirements. collieries, canals, small Conversion of the area into the workshops, literally any Mitcheldean Enterprise environmentally inspired Workshops (or MEWS), a scheme undertaking, can compete on set up by Rank Xerox, has now equal terms with factory, office, won the company a major warehousing and retail commendation "in recognition of developments, whether new or human and social responsibility restored. and environmental quality." Rank Xerox chose to submit Site director David Stokes receives the ettvironmental awardJroni the Rt Hon. Christopher Patten, Secretary of State for the Environment. Site director David Stokes the environmental improvements received the award on behalf of that resulted from the MEWS and acres of land to the project and camouflaged with brown the MEWS from the Rt. Hon. restored the centre of Mitcheldean invested £'h million in cladding, and stairs, doors and Christopher Patten, Secretary of to its original setting. refurbishing the whole complex. outer fence spmced up. State for the Environment, at the The two main MEWS The old stonework was There was considerable Royal Society of Arts in London buildings are more than 100 years cleaned and reconstituted stone refurbishing, too, of the more on 4 December. old and until 1939 were owned by was used to fill in and match the recent peripheral single-storey Accompanying him were Mike Wintle's Brewery. original. The numerous windows, units including building 11 where Cooper, manager, works In 1984. as part of the MEWS which are a particularly attractive the first few 914 machines were engineering & facilities, and scheme, buildings were feature, received special attention. built. Ferruccio Marangon, manager demolished at the entrance to the In one building some 20 The project was finally maintenance, energy & MEWS, area, thus opening up an excellent frames were either bricked up or completed in 1988 (that was when Nickolas Schroeder, manager, real view for people passing through concealed by other buildings, the last unit was finished) and the estate operations, from RXHQ, the village of the fine stonework only coming to light when the workshops now provide and Derek Knibbs, who was of the main buildings. latter were demolished. Every one employment for over 300 people managing director of the MEWS Even in the days when the of the windows was restored to in some 40 businesses. from 1984 to 1986 and played a brewery was operational, these working order. Among them are quite a few crucial role in its establishment. buildings had been obscured by "Keeping it all up to the former employees who have The environmental award stables, a garage, the beer store standard required for listed started up their own thriving scheme is organised by Business and a variety of sheds. buildings is an ongoing task," concerns and who count the Rank and Industry Commitment to the Today they positively enhance commented Mike Cooper. Xerox plant among the customers Environment and it plays a the appearance of Mitcheldean During the conversion work, for their products and services. significant role in focussing the village. granite blocks for the brewery Earlier optimism about filling attention of industry and The MEWS was initiated to horses to walk over were the units has proved to be fully commerce on this all-important create some 90 small workshops discovered and a few are justified. The rate of occupancy issue. and office units, supported by a displayed, together with a has been consistently high, and Launched 14 years ago, the range of external services, to descriptive plaque to remind when the application for the awards have rewarded initiative assist small businesses to start up people of the history all round recent environmental award was and innovation across virtually during a period of high them. made in October 1989 it was 94 the whole spectrum of industrial unemployment. The old bore-hole was per cent. development and activity and the Rank Xerox allocated five maintained, the lift shaft

Bill Lowe visit D&M EXECUTIVE vice president Bill Lowe, accompanied by his senior staff, visited Mitcheldean on 15 January for an Operations Review and site tour; he also conducted a communications meeting with senior Mitcheldean staff. Our visitors expressed positive satisfaction with the information provided at the review and excellent feedback was obtained on the CAD/CAM applications. Mitcheldean 2000 strategy, and manufacturing and assembly working environment, and the general work ethos and attitude. We shall be featuring this visit in our next issue. Pottery help for a Portuguese home

IAN ROBINSON had long wanted to have a pottery of his own. He achieved his ambition when in 1984 he became one of the first people to rent a unit in MEWS building 11 — the very lan's wife Chris and their ten-year- building where the first 914 old daughter Sian remove items from copiers were built. the oven after glaze firing. And there he set up 'Vision Pottery' — "You have to have foresight in this business!" says Ian. But he never envisaged it would develop in the way it has, Seen playing with the children at the or that it would lead to helping a home is Vilma Ruck, formerly in group of deprived Portuguese reception/telecommunications. She is children. now going out again, this time for several months, to work with the A former potter who learned children. his art in Clevedon and later worked at Prinknash Abbey near (though not as a Ian Robinson and Don Dickenson monk), Ian joined us at (right) with a selection of ceramics, Mitcheldean almost 13 years ago. all of which have been made in the Currently he does final run and studio. test on the 5018/5028 line, but at cares for around 125 children of the end of the day he leaves high all ages, and wanted to help. technology behind and reverts to "Some are orphans, or have the age-old occupation of working been abandoned; others have been in clay. abused. The stories of some of A few years ago he sought them are quite horrendous," Ian business advice from another told us. hobbyist potter — Don The home gets no financial Dickenson, who is full-time help from the state; it is privately pastor at Mitcheldean Christian run under the direction of an Fellowship. interdenominational Protestant They decided on a merger — committee, and is funded by Ian with Vision Pottery and Don donations. with Dean Magna Ceramics — This 'over-sized family' has and looked for bigger premises. many needs, but no children are They found what they wanted in ever turned away and some go on MEWS building 6 and moved living there after they reach 18 into what used to be a part of years of age. the Rank Xerox training One such is Joao Pedro. A jack department. of all trades, he repairs shoes, "At the time of writing a kiln at the home to work with the It was Don who introduced Ian works in the carpenter's shop and was being built in Portugal. We children. to 'hobby ceramics' — a scheme cuts the children's hair. Now he's have received a gift of another The Mitcheldean Christian run by a subsidiary of a pottery acquiring another skill as a potter. from a pottery firm in Stoke-on- Fellowship are assisting in craft company. Under this One of the home's newer Trent and by the time this issue various ways and other schemes scheme, pre-cast moulds are buildings was earmarked for appears it should be on its way, are planned by the 'Lar' Fund UK supplied and pottery students vocational training for the transported free by courtesy of a to help these disadvantaged young leam how to make an item, teenagers, but it lacked any shoe-making firm. people equip themselves for a decorate it, clean it and do other equipment. Then some money "We're hoping the lads in the career. hand finishing operations. was donated for this purpose and home can convert one of the pig Vision Pottery provides a sales things got moving. sties to house the latter kiln and outlet. "The items range from In October 1989 Ian was given connect it to the power supply. plates to ceramic Christmas leave by the company and he and "We've also bought an electric trees," Ian told us. "Mugs are the Don went to Portugal to see the potter's wheel and are looking at most popular, however. We give a home and investigate the ways of providing learning discount on all items to charities." possibility of providing some material." The students range from ten to vocational training in pottery. Joao Pedro came over here for Obituary 60 years of age or more. "We They looked around to see further training in January, and WE RECORD with regret the have more than 60 a week. Even what sort of clay and glazes were Don is returning with him to set deaths of the following retired so, this last Christmas we had a available, and researched the up the pottery. employees: Ethel Rodway on 26 October, believed to be 90; Arthur hard job keeping up with demand, market. "We made lots of The families of both Ian and Downing on 3 November, aged 79; and already we are bursting at the contacts, even though we had to Don assist in the studio and lan's Ivor Kibble on 8 November, aged seams." travel nearly 200 miles to see just wife Chris is going to Oporto this 73; John Creed on 10 November, About two years ago Ian and one person," Ian reported. February to get the classes going aged 73; Anthony Williams on 16 Don came to hear of the Lar "We decided it was a viable and help Joao who will run them. November, aged 51; Donald Trigg Evangelico Portugues, the project and set about acquiring Accompanying her will be ex- on 23 November, aged 70; Alfred Evangelical Children's Home on the equipment for the teaching Mitcheldeaner Vilma Ruck who Cann on 3 December, aged 60. the outskirts of Oporto which pottery. will be staying for some months selected vertical integration opportunities and embraces the whole philosophy of 'Just in time' manufacturing. f 989 SUCCESSES, "This presents a major opportunity for Mitcheldean. By benchmark plant, not just in the end of calendar year 1990 I terms of Xerox, but in terms of would expect to see this plant UK manufacturing, there is configured differently, and always room for improvement. moving rapidly towards a "At the end of the year we 'focussed factory' and 'Just in achieved yet another accolade in time' environment." a significant list of Another success during the acknowledgments over the last year was the creation of a single five years, namely that of bargaining unit with a common winning a 1989 Best Factories job evaluation and grading Award, based on submitted data Site director David Stokes tells his structure and two-year salary and following intensive site audience: "Mitcheldean 2000 presents agreement. (The joint inspection. a major opportunity for the plant." management/trade union job "This is a significant "A PARTICULARLY tough year evaluation team's success in achievement for the plant and for Mitcheldean" is how site winning a Corporate Team recognises the considerable The management team listen intentlv to director David Stokes described Excellence award at Leesburg efforts of all staff at 1989 when he addressed members will be featured in a following Mitcheldean. I know I can rely of the Mitcheldean management issue). on your full support and team, gathered in the clubhouse "I am also excited about the commitment to ensure we build last November for the 1990 Year tremendous amount of work on the success of '89 and Start meeting. that's going on between address the challenges of 1990." As last year, he touched on the ourselves and local highlights of the year's colleges/schools, to enhance the Control achievements and results, and the availability and training of Controller Phil King had challenges and opportunities lying young people. praise for the excellent efforts ahead, leaving it to senior staff to "Equally, the utilisation of made by everyone to effect large deal with each business aspect in our 'open leaming' centre is reductions in inventory, which by detail. encouraging — as, too, are the the end of October last was down A variety of factors, mostly various training initiatives, to the planned 24 days of supply. outside the plant's direct control, particularly in the area of "Inventory management had affected our performance as a technical staff, which are through 1989 showed manufacturing unit. receiving considerable emphasis Mitcheldean people working at The corporation's drive to within the corporation." their best," said Phil. "The proper processes were rigidly followed, improve its return on assets had The reduction of raw Quality A technical meant a significant initiative to material inventory deserved but it was such a tough task I was services 'bum off stocks of finished special mention, he pointed out; extremely concemed right up to product in our Operating and the regular achievement of the end." "The business and product Companies. The consequence on refurbishing and conversion This praise offset news of the quality mission is to further manufacturing had been a marked programmes, coupled with the impact on our costs of difficulties develop the site's total quality reduction in build volumes across 1045/1065 start-ups, the with certain programmes. culture to achieve or better world- all products affecting all plants. achievement of planned profit Phil went on to describe the class standards of excellence in The impact had been further targets for Squirrel and asset feedback from the survey in all that we do," said Brian compounded by the levels of recovery, and the response of which Mitcheldean participated, Buckland, manager, quality & over-capacity that existed manufacturing to increasing and which resulted in a 1989 Best technical services. throughout the corporation. As a production volumes, were all British Factories award. In terms of product quality, he result, we had had two manpower notable performances during In most areas we compared explained that we had made good reductions affecting our 1989. extremely well with existing progress in achieving zero defect supplementary labour force. David Stokes spoke of the 'world-class' manufacturers; weeks. Whilst that was important "While these were obviously continuance of full occupancy however, some areas for intemally, Mitcheldean would be to be deeply regretted, we should rates in the MEWS and added improvement were indicated: developing new methods of feel a little easier in the that major marketing initiatives • It is no longer possible to pass measuring customer satisfaction knowledge that these people were on the Business Park are on cost increases even if they are in 1990. recruited with a clear looking extremely positive. below the annual rate of inflation; "We have also made some understanding that their "During the year no fewer than 'world-class' organisations are excellent progress in reducing line employment was of a temporary 275 QIP projects were completed reducing cost to comf)ete with fallout; however, greater strides nature. In the event, some had and there are currently 250 Japanese and European need to be made to reach the been with us for up to three years, projects in progress. My organisations. benchmark standard by 1992. and the experience and training commitment to Leadership • 'World-class' companies Brian Reeves is working with a they gained meant they were Through Quality is unabated. I operate with less inventory than quality improvement team to much better prepared for seeking believe that people's involvement we do. achieve these demanding employment elsewhere in the in projects, and the philosophy of • These companies accept far less standards. community." project-by-project improvement, scrap, parts re-work and lost "Business quality is an area Despite the difficulties is fundamental to a successful material than Mitcheldean. that will grow in 1990, the most mentioned, there were some manufacturing unit. • They also operate with higher important aspects of this activity notable successes. During the "Management stimulation of levels of housekeeping in factory will be the application of year we launched Mitcheldean project teams is an essential and office areas. statistical process control across 2000, a three-year programme element and is mandated upon all The survey reaffirmed much of all business areas so that we embracing all facets of the of you. I wish to see you the benchmarking work that had control the processes rather than business encompassing some 200- encourage the formation of self- taken place over the past year. control by end result correction; plus individual projects. "It led QIP/PSP teams. Future "The conclusions as to where we and encouraging the development embraces a space/building performance will be measured weren't so strong were no great of self-led shopfloor and office occupancy strategy and the against your success in this area. surprise," said Phil, adding that groups. creation of a focussed factory in "Whilst I know on many plans to tackle the problem areas "Both these activities are 6 building 1. It brings together aspects of our business we are a were part of the M2000 project. underway and we are looking to manufacturing content of fuser disciplines by removing waste rolls. from the build process, but "In addition, within the additionally there are factors 1990 STRATEGIES manufacturing areas we are which require constant looking at the whole of the management and apply across all Materials facility and layout with a view to products. increasingly changing our The specific problems we need At the 1988 Year Start meeting manufacturing methods from a to tackle in 1990 are: the focus had been largely on the batch environment to continuous need for a new continuous flow • Regular achievement of our flow manufacturing over the next manufacturing initiative, and daily schedules in their normal few years. materials manager Kevin working time. Horrobin had spoken of the "In the harness area • Achievement of product quality challenge of its foundation and specifically, we have plans to put targets to allow daily machine early implementation. in place a showcase facility release. during the early part of the 1990s. • Achievement of the 250ppm "One year later we have a We now need to consolidate line fall-out target on all models. comprehensive strategy called within this area, following the • Enabling both a pleasant and a Mitcheldean 2000 and the first rapid growth in the last couple of continuing safe working phase of implementation — years, and much work needs to be environment through the highest namely, the 5012/14 showcase — carried out this year in our drive level of housekeeping. is on schedule for March 1990," to reduce overheads and improve he was pleased to say. "There are many other competitiveness so as to enable targets," he said, "which we must "On the surface, and judged by growth to continue. strive to achieve and all of them any standard, this is excellent "We have plans to consolidate will be communicated throughout progress, but it's below the the refurbishing area into one new build operations early in the surface where the truly impressive building as part of the overall New Year. The major challenge is progress lies — progress in areas Mitcheldean site strategy, to engage the support of staff in of understanding the full although this probably will not assisting us with the tasks facing capability and benefits derived happen until the early part of us in our drive for excellence." from JIT manufacturing; progress 1991." in clearly defining the levels of Personnel investment required; progress in The major focus of efforts fully comprehending the 1990 within refurbishing areas through Many of the 1990 objectives challenge associated with this 1990 must be to reduce costs and, for the personnel function relate strategy; and, most importantly, above all, speed up our response specifically to M2000 with the progress in sharing the challenge to marketplace requirements, said main area being one of employee amongst all of the Mitcheldean Keith. involvement. team. "As we start to develop our Personnel manager Robin plans, considerable help from all Fyffe stressed the importance of "From a materials viewpoint, members of the refurbishing team capturing the enthusiasm of and as part of the M2000 team, will be needed." employees from all areas of the significant achievements in 1990. we see ourselves as responsible plant following the M2000 "New technology and for delivering some of the early The customisation of several strategy communication. production engineering have project requirements — in the centralised electronic printing some exciting prospects for 1990, areas of JIT part deliveries, local equipment for Operating Many people have expressed a including the delivery of sourcing, electronic data Companies had proved a great desire to become directly processes and technologies for interchange, stock accuracy, etc. success in 1989 and it was involved in the work that needs to showcases, rapidly expanding planned to enhance the level of be done, and it was emphasised "While these projects are CAD/CAM applications, activity within this area, added that the management team have a major challenges, we take promoting design for Keith. responsibility to capture the ideas comfort from the fact that the assembly/design for manufacture generated by the workforce, and desire firmly exists within the applications, developing links Assembly operations to ensure that these ideas are plant to ensure the success of with industry-conscious (new build) investigated and implemented M2000. universities, and enhancing our In the absence of John Flynn, wherever possible. "With that backing we are technical skills base." manager, assembly operations guaranteed to make even more A small team of managers and (new build), Peter Whiles, 5046 For some light relief, Brian impressive progress in 1990," employee representatives will be assembly manager, presented a asked everyone how much their added Kevin. formed in order to design a electricity bill was, the answers summary in which he laid process to help facilitate this. ranging from £250 to £400 per emphasis on the need for the Refurtilshing, harnesses "Another major area will be annum. Then he revealed that operations to improve their cost & manufacturing the development of our training Rank Xerox Mitcheldean's bill effectiveness. strategy, which will respond to was £500,000 per annum, and he "All three areas form an During 1989, despite several the projected drop in young asked for everyone's help in integral part of the Mitcheldean difficult problems, quality people available for employment ensuring we do not waste 2000 initiative, with many improved across all products and through the 1990s," said Robin. electricity. exciting projects leading us into supply/demand requirements were "Proposals have already been Safety had been a highlight of the 1990s," said Keith Grant, met, he reported. developed to reintroduce 1989 with a target of 2 million manager, refurbishing, harness & "In achieving these goals we apprentice training programmes safe working hours achieved. manufacturing. failed to meet our cost targets as it for craft and technician Employee involvement had been "Firstly, in manufacturing we was necessary to work significant apprentices together with a significant factor in achieving are looking at several major levels of overtime to recover lost commercial trainees. this target and if we continued at investments to enable us to make production." "This, linked with a marketing our current trend we would reach more of the parts for our products 1990, he said, needs to be the of Rank Xerox careers with 3 million safe working hours on on site; this will help to speed up year when through employee schools and colleges, should 22 February, 1990. the whole pace of our production involvement and improved ensure that we are able to attract Brian also covered the MEWS flow, reducing inventory and communication we achieve sufficient young people of the and Business Park in his address. costs. benchmark cost levels. right calibre into the Mitcheldean "It might surprise everyone to "The main areas we are A major contributor to plant. know that together they employ looking at are the manufacture of reducing cost will be M2000 with "In addition, training will play 800 people on site," he added. plastic parts, increasing the both 5012/14 and 5018/28 an increasingly important part in Finally, he asked everyone to manufacture of concentric parts moving to building 1 by the helping to retrain and develop think quality in everything we (items such as shafts), and spring holiday. existing employees to meet the do. stepping up the in-house This in itself will drive changes facing us," he added. Service Awards

25 years All Bill Holloway's leisure time is devoted to working for the Royal I'M THE only thing in transport British Legion — "it comprises the that ever fell off the back of a whole of my social life," he told us. lorry!" claims Graham Jones. "1 He has been associated with the was checking a load, stumbled and movement for 20 years, and for 12 Bill Holloway Dave Howells n Davies fell overboard." years he has served on the Our chat with internal committee of the branch. transport's section manager was He was vice chairman and has now constantly interrupted — not with been chairman for nearly three similar crises, but with calls and years, "which means I do anything transmissions from drivers. from calling the bingo numbers to "We get some 200 enquiries a helping in the bar." day here," he told us, "and we all Quite a number of his colleagues thrive on the pressure. at work are members, too, along From the left: Roger "We have all the communication with Arthur Cooper, chairman of Court and John Teague technology necessary, but we the FOD District Council (and a wouldn't survive without the terrific former Mitcheldeaner). teamwork of the staff — they are a "We were very busy last great bunch of blokes." Remembrance Day," Bill told us. A short spell in finance production control ("1 well Some of them were working "Arthur invited all the followed, then an opportunity arose remember the date because it was in during the Christmas holiday; for branch of the Parachute Regiment for him to join data processing, and 1966 — the only year England won transport is ever moving, and "you (his former regiment) to the church he has remained in computer the World Cup!" says Dave). can get called out during the night for the service and then brought operations ever since. She left after 14 years' service — it's not an eight-hour job," them back to the branch Today the computer centre in and is well known locally as a Graham told us. afterwards." building 7/1 is known as the UK dispenser in the Brook Street He started at Mitcheldean in raw Bill's wife Margaret, who is operations & technical support surgery. material stores, switched to secretary of Lydbrook Primary department, headed by Andy Their son Jonathan has been refurbishing as a driver/operator, School, supports him in his Legion Herridge. studying at Hartpury Agricultural then came into internal transport activities. She used to work in "We install and support College and is now in the third part some 18 years ago. production control before she left to hardware and software throughout of his course, doing evening studies Even though contractors are now bring up their family. Daughter Sara Mitcheldean and other EMO and gaining practical experience used, it is necessary to know the job is now a midwife at locations," said Dave. "Most of the during the day on a local farm. from the inside, and Graham holds Hospital and son David works at work is concemed with trouble• an RSA certificate of professional Reeds Corrugated Cases. shooting, and no two days are ever As a former member of the RAF competence in national road Bill's career at Mitcheldean has alike." Regiment, IVIervyn Davies spent haulage operations as well as being been mainly in new build assembly Dave offsets his high tech. some time out in Germany and a qualified forklift instructor. — beginning with our first ever occupation with an interest in Holland. "The Regiment mount all Moving is not only his job. it's copier, the 914. He spent a month at various sports. Having played the guards of honour whenever the also his hobby. A former builder, he Venray in the '60s doing a refresher football for Coleford, then royal family visit an airfield, and I loves nothing better than restoring course on the 2400 paper feeder Mitcheldean, he is now a rugby was once called on to join such a and improving properties. "I am a before it was brought back to spectator. He also plays badminton, guard for the Queen Mother's visit real DIY enthusiast and we have Mitcheldean. and he was among the but his favourite sport is cricket. to Cologne." never lived in a place more than pioneer workers on the 2300 at For mo.st of his life he's played In late 1964 he joined us at three years!" . for Berry Hill —now he is an Mitcheldean and has worked on the At present he and his wife He later joined the 1025/1038 opening batsman for Dymock. "And assembly of a wide range of Marilyn are happily resident in a FR&T team and is presently 1 did once manage a couple of machines, from the 813 to the 9000 mobile home until they can move to engaged on 5046 refurbishing. games for Gloucestershire second family, subsequently becoming a house with enough garden for XI," he told us. involved in the start-up of 9000 exercising their three Border collies Like Bill, Dave Howells came This past year he and his wife refurbishing. and Cavalier King Charies spaniels. to us from the AEl cableworks in Deirdre celebrated 20 years of Curtently he is engaged on 5046 And Marilyn's long term plan is Lydney, and he started in stores marriage. They met at Mitcheldean refurbishing which, he says, he to set up a donkey sanctuary. administration. when Deirdre was a secretary in finds "more of a challenge than new build because every machine is different." Some of the hamesses he fits 20 years into the machines may well be buih Pictured are a group whose 20 years of service were recently acknowledged by awards. They are (from left) Dennis by his own son Michael who works Brain (low volume copier purchasing), Fred Bach (materials systems). Adrian Skillern (5012114 assembly). Ferruccio in the harness assembly centre and Marangon (works engineering) and Roger Meek (tool inspection). Three others who qualified are Roy Davis (paint was one of the first batch of shop). Dave Batts (fuser rolls) and Peter Gargan (export). supplementary staff taken on in 1986. Michael plays for Worrall Hill FC, and for Temco Sports who have won two out of three cup finals in the Gloucester Sunday League. "He is also a Manchester United fan — he caught that off me!" says Mervyn. Mervyn's own sport is skittles. He plays for Reeds Corrugated Cases, having signed on with them through a family connection, and has been playing for them for 12 years. He competes, too, in our interdepartmental tournament. "Our team has won once and reached the semi-finals twice." Hazel, Mervyn's wife, also works on site — for Hygiene Services — and their daughter Nicola did two weeks' work They*re working weli in liarness

MANY MARRIAGES are 'made' Photography is another hobby at Mitcheldean. Our service they share, along with a camera. award feature frequently records They take it in turns to look the fact that couples first met each through the view-finder, and have other on site. just joined the Rank Xerox But we can't recall any time Camera Club to focus on when we (or, in this case, training technique (and avoid a double department) played Cupid in the image?) case of a couple as young as There are times when Andrew Debbie Knight and Andrew goes off with a group from Embling. Mitcheldean to 'paint ball', At the age of 16, they left their stalking his opponents through the respective schools and, having •jungle' like a Tarzan without a learned about our YTS scheme at Jane — but only because, as different careers exhibitions, they Debbie says, "I haven't been able joined it, within a month of each to get a place yet." other, in 1984. While Andrew is zapping Debbie Knight and Andrew Embling outside Gloucester Cathedral after the That same year saw the official graduation ceremony. away, Debbie devotes herself to opening of the MEWS, where the the gentle art of music. training school was then located, over to see Brian Fowler, They recently gained their She has plenty of instruments and in the same issue which manager, young people training, HNCs in electronic engineering at to choose from — an electronic covered that event we pictured, to see if he could help." Gloscat and, as you can see, they keyboard, a flute and a violin (she separately, Debbie doing He could. He arranged for were photographed together, reached grade 5 in both at electrical work and Andrew with them to apply for a job at capped and gowned, after their school), and even a vintage a robotic arm he had Mitcheldean and they were taken graduation ceremony at saxophone which Andrew bought programmed. on as supplementary staff in 5046 Gloucester Cathedral. her. Time moved on, and first assembly. Now they're continuing to Andrew is not excluded from Debbie, then Andrew, were found Both had an ONC, having study together — for their HND. musical pursuits, however; he has jobs with Mills Associates where been started on the course in the "We help each other," said a guitar which Debbie aims to they repaired circuit boards under training school, and six months Debbie. She is "more maths teach him to play. the supervision of former after joining they were given an oriented," according to Andrew And then they'll really be in employee Barbara Merry. opportunity to become trainee while Debbie maintains "Andrew tune — once again. In 1985, there they were in electricians. Meantime, they were is better at computer 'Vision' again — this time seen studying for their HNC. programming." working alongside each other, and After their electrician course, Ideally, they'd like to take afterwards they became engaged, their paths diverged somewhat. their exams together, but the the firm by then having moved to But towards the end of 1989 both authorities don't seem to favour . could be found working in the this! CONGRATULATIONS to Then comes a disturbing harness centre as electrical Even in their leisure pursuits Debbie and Andrew, and also incident in our 'Mills & Boon' inspectors — Debbie on the the togetherness continues. to another former electrical story! A couple of years later both looms, Andrew in wire cutting They did martial arts for a trainee, Richard Rowe, now Andrew and Debbie found operations. while, went surfing at Newquay working in refurbishing, who themselves made redundant. This aspect of togetherness, and are currently enjoying has gained his HND in "We lost no time; within hours we are assured, is entirely practising on the dry ski run at electronic engineering. of being given notice, we came coincidental! Matson, Gloucester.

experience here which later led to trophies in local shows, they have have won talent competitions at he and colleague Mike Mould, who her landing a job as a receptionist in now been concentrating on bigger Avon Holidays centres — thus works with John on the 4030 the Health Centre. events. winning themselves further desktop laser printer line, can be Their eldest daughter Teresa is a They have had top prize at the holidays. seen fishing the Wye and for the secretary at Formwood and she is to British Collie Club and two of their past two years they have won the be a spring bride this year. dogs, Scott and Rocky, are unbeaten The Christmas before last, John Lydney two-day pairs event. as a brace at any show. Teague fished his festive dinner out He was once a member of the Nine-year-old Mary was best of the Wye! original RX Angling Club too, but Ever since he completed his junior handler at Bournemouth last One of his biggest 'catches' membership of the current club is craft apprenticeship, Roger Court year and is going to Jersey this year ever, it was a fine turkey, plus some ruled out since their fixtures tend to has been engaged on the mechanical to represent the South West. bottles of cheer — his prize for clash with team matches. side of goods receiving inspection, The only child in the country to winning the FOD Angling Club's Incidentally, the biggest pike working alongside another 25-year have won four group Christmas match. (He didn't John ever took — a 30-pounder — server, John Skilton. championships in one year, she has compete in 1989.) used to be displayed above the bar Roger's job has taken him on just won the 'Tree Top' shield for A dedicated fisherman since the in the old clubhouse. It is now occasion up and down the country, the child who has qualified most age of 14. John learned his skill parked in his garage! and once, in 1975, to an RX times for the junior handler of the from his late cousin, a professional Neither his wife Diana nor location little known by most of us year competition at Richmond. gillie. daughter Sarah share his hobby. — at Aulnay near Paris. "That was Her sister Sarah, aged six. is He goes fishing every Sunday "Sarah was only a 21b tiddler when the last time I saw Paris!" says showing similar potential too. ("I don't suppose 1 have missed 20 she was bom. but she developed Roger Says Roger, "We plan to move Sundays in the last 30 years") into a county cross-country runner Two years ago we featured the to a bigger place where we can have which must account for his outdoor in her teens!" Court family in 'Vision' with their up to ten dogs and branch out into look. John started in 813 assembly and pets — four handsome rough collies breeding." He has for long been a highly has worked on most models apart who have amassed literally The family talents extend to successful match angler, his top from CBA, chiefly in FR&T. He hundreds of awards in shows. 'show biz' as well as showing dogs. weight in a match reaching was among the first of the 2300 Roger, his wife Elizabeth and Roger, a guitarist, and Elizabeth, 661b. 12oz. team at Lydney; later he worked on their two little daughters all take a who sings and plays the mandoline, A member of a number of clubs. the 1025/1038 line until the hand in caring for and handling the perform folk music at various gigs, John fishes as a team member for programme ended last year and he collies. Having scooped the top and both they and their daughters Lydney Angling Club. In the winter. transferred to the 4030 line. Sowing tfie seeds of expansion

THE RANK Xerox Gardening and Leisure Gardeners, which has Association is preparing to cover a membership of thousands, and more ground. through that organisation's At the annual general meeting scheme, it is able to obtain seeds held on 6 December, the for both flowers and vegetables at constitution was altered to extend much reduced prices (this also membership not only to past and generates a small but useful present employees of Rank income for the association). Xerox, but also to current Secondly, its experienced employees of the Business Park gardeners are always ready to and Mews companies, to give advice to those less associate members of the Sports experienced. Says Mike Rouse, & Social Club and to the "If we can't find someone within immediate families of all. our own group to solve a This will, it is hoped, problem, we can always approach encourage the growth of the the NSALG for help. current membership of 32 paid-up Top trophy winner, with his members. wife Carol, at last year's Having had five successful competition, and a member of the shows so far, the association is National Vegetable Society, Mike now planning to branch out in that is often consulted on gardening respect too and in 1990 there will matters. We give here Mike's be around 40 classes covering a answers to a few of the queries wider range of activities. that frequently crop up: Home cooks will be interested • What can I do to prevent neck to know that there will be classes rot in my onions? for a Victoria sponge, apple tart Mix a pinch of benomyl with the Milieus blooming and Welsh cakes, as well as seed before sowing — this will home-made jam; and for those help because the disease enters at clever with their needles there is the seedling stage and remains to be a knitted garment class. dormant until onions are stored. Two floral arrangement classes • How can I prevent the carrot MIKE TRIGG (refurbishing) is since the class was introduced in are also being included in this rootfly from ruining my crop? crazy about chrysanthemums. 1987. domestic section. Difficult to answer in a sentence, A dedicated grower for some 13 Our picture shows Mike with his years, he has specialised in indoor fine crop of awards; on the left is Another totally new addition but if seed is sown late May/June chrysanthemums for the past five his father Dennis, a materials will be a photographic section, the first generation should be and has won first prizes analyst at Mitcheldean until his organised by the Rank Xerox missed. Sow thinly and try to annually. retirement, who has won quite a few Camera Club. avoid bruising when thinning as But last year he achieved gardening awards himself in his There will be a full range of the flies are attracted by smell. something no one else ever has — time. vegetable and flower classes with Scattering bromophos or he gained top honours in no less "I leamed my skills from him," small as well as big onions dimazinon along the rows after than four shows at Cinderford, says Mike, "and we work together." catered for and, biggest of all, a thinning may also help. Coleford, Bream and Ledbury. Just before the New Year, Mike giant pumpkin class (the world • Why do the bases of my He also had 'best bloom' in the started wintering his cuttings, South West of England division of moving them out from their record is currently 7551b!). tomatoes go black? the National Chrysanthemum comfortable quarters in a large The date for the show is fixed Blossom end rot seems to be the Society. "It was just like a yellow greenhouse to a cold frame. for 1 September, so get that in problem. This is caused by too shaggy dog!" he told us. "They require a great deal of your diary now. Judges will be little water or irregular watering. A member of the Rank Xerox attention," he told us, "and I have to Roger Keyse (flowers and • My mother-in-law's tongue Gardening Association committee, work hard to keep the dreaded leaf vegetables) and June England, (sansevieria trifasciata laurentii) he has won the chrysanthemum miner and 'earlywig' at bay!" who will adjudicate in the is willing. What should I do? class in its annual competition ever domestic section. Thank vour luckv stars! Schedules will be available soon; if anyone has any queries they can contact chairman Phyllis Christopher (Dean 543319), Craig malces progress secretary Harold Moore (542542) CHRIS AND Jane Johnson, the he kept up with his schoolwork also able to visit. or treasurer Mike Rouse (Ross parents of young Craig, are with material sent by Chamwells Intensive fund raising at 65366), who were all re-elected at delighted that he has been invited Special School in Longford, Mitcheldean last summer raised the AGM. to return to the famous Peto Gloucester, where he is a pupil. £5,000 towards the Craig Johnson Bob Smith has been elected Insfitute in Hungary in March. The trip has broadened eight- Appeal, supplementing fund- vice chairman and Robert Brain, After a critical two weeks' year-old Craig's horizons and the raising undertaken by Jane Vere Christopher, Andy Gardiner, trial period last autumn, the exercises are already producing Johnson's former boss in Mike Manns and Rex Turley are teachers at the Institute decided to some benefits; the experts believe Cinderford, Alan Bowkett. committee members. continue the eight-week that in time he may be able to It just goes to show how much The club meets on the first programme of leaming exercises walk with a frame. warm-hearted generosity exists in Wednesday in the month (in the to give him more independence Chris (who works in assembly) the Forest of Dean. clubhouse at 7.30 pm) and their despite his disability due to was able to make two trips to first meeting in 1990 will be on 7 cerebral palsy. Hungary to visit Craig, while Jane March. He spent 20 hours each week stayed in Budapest for the entire Membership offers people two in intensive physiotherapy and co• eight weeks. Craig's twin brother important benefits. ordination sessions. Meanwhile, Lee and their grandmother were The association is affiliated to the National Society of Allotment Camera Club entries are getting larger

THE RANK Xerox Camera Club remarks on how to improve This portrait of his father — club brought their 1989 programme to pictures — by careful cropping, member Rob Meek (5012114 assembly) — won third prize in the a conclusion on Monday, 4 for example. portrait prints section for 15-year-old December, with a competition — The full results were as Glen, the youngest member of the their second — and a very follows: club. successful one it proved to be. Landscape — Prints: 1st Altogether 39 slides and 35 Terry Darrington, 2nd Margaret Below: 'Old tree' by Terry Darrington. prints were entered and the Murrell, 3rd John Deane; the winning enfr\ the landscape standard was high, especially in commended Glen Meek. Slides: prints class. the case of the prints. 1st Roy Fowler, 2nd Terry The judge, Jim Hawkins of Darrington, 3rd Roy Fowler; Camera Club, spent a commended Adrian Griffin and great deal of time studying the Roy Fowler. entries and he said he was Portrait — Prints: 1 st Adrian particularly impressed by the Griffin, 2nd Roy Fowler, 3rd Glen number of enlarged prints (too Meek; commended Roy Fowler many competitors, it seems, tend and Adrian Griffin. Slides: 1st to enter prints which are on the Terry Darrington, 2nd Roy small side). Fowler, 3rd Adrian Griffin; He also commented on the commended Terry Darrington and quality of the mounting which he Adrian Griffin. considered to be consistently As we went to press the 1990 high. So the training sessions held programme had just started with by the club on how to present an audio-visual show on entries in competitions had paid 'Gloucestershire' by Bernard off. Baker, and a slide battle being Everyone said they thought the fought between the Rank Xerox judge was very fair, and they and Newent Camera Clubs. appreciated his constructive

were elected committee members. Dave James is captain for the New trophy for golfers forthcoming season with Wilf DESPITE THE dampness of the the 'seniors tour', and thanks to Competition by a new Jones vice captain. weather on the days out, the past him were expressed by the competition for teams of three With the formal business of season had been an enjoyable one, meeting. from an open draw, with the best the meeting at an end, Danny and Golf Society chainnan Danny Denis, who has missed only two cards am and pm counting, presented the trophies to the Haines, in his report at the annual one outing over the past years, based on a Stapleford format. season's competition winners: general meeting on 15 November, was pleased to donate the trophy Honorary membership was Spring Bowl — Mike Hinton, thanked everyone for their in appreciation of many years of conferred on three members who Graham Beach; Summer Cup — support and especially the enjoyable golf with society had recently taken early Don Meek; Scratch Cup — Mark committee for arranging the members. retirement from the company and Barnard; Powell Cup — Steve outings. The Spring Bowl is awarded had held office during the Cooper; America Cup — Dave Fixtures for 1990 have been for the best team score in a pairs previous season — Don Meek as James; Interdept. Cup — Gordon arranged for Hereford, better ball Stapleford competition; chairman, Tony Murrell as Davis, Dave Robinson; Round , Knowle, Henbury this newly donated trophy will be treasurer, and Bill Meek as Robin — Don Meek; Rabbits Cup and Malvern, with the Interplant for the best individual Stapleford captain. — Denis Ede; Order of Merit — Cup at Stoke Poges. score within that competition. Chairman Danny Haines, Graham Beach. j An addition to the array of As the society is now secretary Wilf Jones and treasurer trophies to be played for in 1990 sustained by a large associate Jeremy Barnard were all re• is a rose bowl, kindly donated by membership, it was agreed to elected, and Steve Coojjer, Boxing Day baby Denis Ede who has now joined replace the Interdepartmental Gordon Davis and Ken EUway Welcome to Suzanne, a daughter for Adrian Skillem (.5012/14 assembly) At the final fixture for 1989. and his wife Sharon (formerly of harness assembly), who arrived on Boxing Day.

Any news for Vision?

If you have, then please — mail it to me in bid. 6/2, or leave it at any gatehouse for collection by me, or post it to me at Tree Tops, Plump Hill, Mitcheldean GL17 OEU. or ring me — ext.566 or Dean 542415. Myrtle Fowler, editor RANK XEROX When the balloon went up — with Dave Dave Powell, manager, business vegetable crop and he decided to planning & control, who won a top hop over a hedge and land in the prize in the Craig Johnson Appeal adjacent field. raffle, describes an uplifting On rising over the hedge he experience.' spotted some horses grazing there so he gave up the idea and we MY PRIZE — a trip in a hot air soared skyward again — up to balloon — filled me with mixed about 1,000 feet so as to clear emotions: I was concemed about power lines near the Lea. the potential dangers but intrigued The next available place to by the adventure. land appeared to be at ; Months passed and I thought this allowed us an aerial view of (hoped?) that I had been forgotten Mitcheldean and the Rank Xerox — until Saturday, 25 November, plant. when I had a 'phone call from Ian Our pilot decided to attempt a Ashpole of Wye Valley Aviation third landing and we slowly at 4pm asking if I was available Safe landing at Longhope (that's Dave on the far right). descended into a field behind for a Sunday flight at 7.15 am. Longhope church —just as some 1 arrived early; it was very flight, did not succeed — the balloon take off. Below, local parishioners were entering cold with a white frost and also balloon partly collapsed over the everything looked very different the church grounds. quite dark. burners and never took off, which and it took a while to get one's They watched in amazement Two balloons were being I didn't find encouraging! bearings. as we narrowly missed the tops of prepared and I was introduced to Our balloon was quickly It was very cold and since some apple trees, then came to Hamish, who was to be the pilot inflated and we all had to climb there was virtually no breeze it rest on a pile of logs. for the flight. on board. Hamish then explained took half an hour to travel from The reason for the pilot's He promptly put myself and the landing procedure, which was the Ross sports centre to the fire warning not to leave the basket several bystanders to work. It then to "face away from the direction station on the A40 Ross-to- now became clear. Hamish became apparent that the of travel, hang on and do not Gloucester road. instructed one passenger to get bystanders were also going on the leave the basket." It was from above the A40 that out and, as soon as he did so, the same flight. we first saw the pick-up Land We were then supposed to basket rose slightly, allowing him Rover — Graham Forbes' family A quick count showed that float gently away, but, in fact, the to pull it off the logs and on to the and my wife Nora (who also there would be eight of us basket had frozen to the ground ground. standing in the wicker basket. and only by rocking it were we works in finance) following by Had we all got out, Hamish One passenger tumed out to be able to break it free. road. would probably still be up there Graham Forbes of Gloucester Hamish held the balloon at The noise from the burners now! Micrographics in the MEWS, different heights to get the feel of attracted the attention of the local The balloon was then deflated who had been given the flight as a its responsiveness (it was only dog population, who for some and packed away, the pick-up birthday present by his wife at then that he told us he had not reason went wild with delight and Land Rover appeared and, when bam that moming! flown such a large one for a long, woke everyone with their barking. all the equipment was safely The balloon was laid out on long time!) You couldn't tell if the people stored away, a couple of bottles of the ground. It was made by Per down there were shaking their We gently rose and began to champagne were cracked open Lindstram's company, who also fists in anger or waving — we drift over the River Wye. The and enjoyed by all. made the balloon for the Richard reflection of the balloon in the just waved back. Would I go again? Definitely, Branson crossing of the Atlantic, river made you realise how After an hour's flight, we but perhaps on a warmer day and and the balloon which was to beautiful it looked from the made an approach on an certainly not over the Atlantic! attempt to cross the Pacific. ground. unsuspecting field for a landing. That attempt, featured on TV Very slowly we drifted around Late into the descent Hamish news the evening before my Ross-on-Wye and saw the second realised the field was bearing a Dave Powell *Total quality* calendar

EVER SINCE Mitcheldean plant Powell (on industrial placement) Mandy Powell, a introduced a "quality calendar" plus artist Barry Hemiman, and member of the QIP early in the 'eighties, each Logos, the Cinderford printers team, shows the painting of Speech successive year has presented a who have produced our calendars House. new challenge — how to put over for the past six or seven years. the quality message in a different "We thought originally of and eye-catching way. going with some new cartoons We've had individual members this time." Ken told us. "But after of staff featured with their seeing some mock-ups by the comments about quality. We've artist, and bearing in mind current said it with cartoons. We've had environmental concems, we combined illustrations showing decided the theme should be the locations and activities inside and "total quality environment' Speech House (the September outside the plant. reflected by scenes portraying the illustration) because it is the focal This year the aim was to beauty of the Forest of Dean." point of the Forest and has so 1990, for QIP projects, team reflect 'total quality" and to tackle "The water colours which we much history behind it, and we events, etc." the project a QIP team was then commissioned proved so had 100 limited edition prints Presented to impwrtant visitors, forrhed under the leadership of attractive, we looked for an made. they will also serve to remind materials manager Kevin opportunity to make use of them "These prints will be awarded, them of our total quality Horrobin with Ken Jervis. in other ways as well. as part of the reward and environment, both on site and in business quality manager. Mandy "We selected the picture of recognition process throughout the locality. 12