hi steve, yes I do remember you walking up and down 2 bay from the welding shop, harry Bolton asked me if I could weld, said yes but I wasn't qualified. so he put me in the welding shop welding the end of the tubes. that must have been before you started. went back 2 years ago, nothing in there but the foremans office, was just like it was when we left....very strange feeling. hope you and yours have a nice xmas. john.Hi John nice to hear from you there doesn't seem to be many people from the forge on this forum.I worked in the forge for 18years I don't know if you can recall me my name is Steve Collingwood I used to be the welder at the top of 2 bay nearest the canal and was a pull bearer
at your brother Jimmy's funeral,that was a very sad time for because we became very good friends when we were put together as Supervisor s over the Gfms ,cold Ajax , Massey hammer and Fielding press. I can remember the day Jimmy finished Tubes he put his crash helmet on and turned to say goodbye and through his visor there was a tear in his eyes,we both couldn't speak
because working in the forge people weren't just work they were friends.
Was Boldmere the original sports ground for Tubes, Spent many happy times at Boldmere with my grandson it was excellent junior footballHello and welcome Richard. Glad you picked up on the Tubes Ltd thread. Just like you I joined Tubes in 1964 after leaving school. Was an office junior in Production Control (Harry Brough,s dept). I left in 197o, but came back in 1971 in the Forge Deot till 1977 when I moved up here. I too remember the freezing games of table tennis at lunch-times, eventually I played for the works team. I also knew some lads that played for the football team too (although Im going to have to put the thinking cap on to recall their names). And regarding the Boldmere Rd sports club, I spent hours and hours up there, before becoming the club steward when I was only 18, thanks to Ray Cook who virtually ran the club on his own in them days. Nice to hear from someone that actually remembers a lot of the things I do. I hope you enjoy the forum, and will continue to post any more memories of Tubes Ltd. Also, feel free to contact anytime you wish. Cheers, Barry.
Hi John Sorry it's been so long with a reply but like you been I've having chest infection problems probably due to our working conditions anyway I hope Australia has given you a good life. I moved to Menorca Spain 15 years ago and now I've retired I never have to worry if I set the alarm clock for work .hi steve, yes I do remember you walking up and down 2 bay from the welding shop, harry Bolton asked me if I could weld, said yes but I wasn't qualified. so he put me in the welding shop welding the end of the tubes. that must have been before you started. went back 2 years ago, nothing in there but the foremans office, was just like it was when we left....very strange feeling. hope you and yours have a nice xmas. john.
John. I've only just come to spend more time on the site, and decided to check the Tubes page, and what a lovely surprise to find those pictures you posted back in 2016. Never seen one of you and big Doug before. Great pictures, and many thanks for putting them up.Image
Hello Punch. Sorry it's taken so long, but i have just seen the photos you put up back in Nov 2016. Some great pictures there, so thanks for sharing. I worked in the office in the forge for 6 years, so recall those views very well. Great to see them again. Thanks.View attachment 109971 Photo taken of 2 bay showing number 4 Ajax and furnacePunch