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Canning & Co & Electroplating

Welcome to the Forum, Jackscor. The Search facility is top right of every page. Anything else just ask as there are quite a few knowledgeable people on here.

Maurice :cool:
 
Hi, new on here! My dad is Maurice Allen (Harry ) who worked in the drawing office
1945-1983.
Would love to talk to anyone who remembers him
 

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Hi, new on here! My dad is Maurice Allen (Harry ) who worked in the drawing office
1945-1983.
Would love to talk to anyone who remembers him
Maurice.............welcome to the Forum! A really great place with great and knowledgeable people. I can't help but I am sure there are many very capable who can & will!
 
Will just explain .... my name is Jo and I’m Maurices daughter. Putting these messages on for him
Hello Jo, nice to meet you. That's fine.............I am in the US, Franklin TN on central time. Its might be a little late in the UK but I am sure you will hear something tomorrow.
 
Hi, new on here! My dad is Maurice Allen (Harry ) who worked in the drawing office
1945-1983.
Would love to talk to anyone who remembers him
Just saw this as I only drop in from time to time. I worked for Harry from about 1975. I felt that I got on with him as we were both bikers. He had an old Velocette.
At the time there was also Phil Weston, John Gravenor, Peter Longfield, Paul Hartford. Technical clerk, Jim Stevens superseded by a chap call Yassin who in turn was replaced by a bloke who's name I can't recall.
I transferred from Harrys dept in abt 1980. Some other names Alan Randall, Frank Round, Keith Staples.
The engineering bit moved to Pitsford Street in abt 1981 and was only there until mid 1983.
 
Just saw this as I only drop in from time to time. I worked for Harry from about 1975. I felt that I got on with him as we were both bikers. He had an old Velocette.
At the time there was also Phil Weston, John Gravenor, Peter Longfield, Paul Hartford. Technical clerk, Jim Stevens superseded by a chap call Yassin who in turn was replaced by a bloke who's name I can't recall.
I transferred from Harrys dept in abt 1980. Some other names Alan Randall, Frank Round, Keith Staples.
The engineering bit moved to Pitsford Street in abt 1981 and was only there until mid 1983.
Hi, I got an email notification telling me that you had replied to the post about my dad Maurice. It’s so good to hear from you and I will show dad your reply on Friday when he comes over to us for dinner.
I can then post his reply to you. I know you said you only occasionally check the forum
but I know dad will be really pleased to hear from you.
 
Just saw this as I only drop in from time to time. I worked for Harry from about 1975. I felt that I got on with him as we were both bikers. He had an old Velocette.
At the time there was also Phil Weston, John Gravenor, Peter Longfield, Paul Hartford. Technical clerk, Jim Stevens superseded by a chap call Yassin who in turn was replaced by a bloke who's name I can't recall.
I transferred from Harrys dept in abt 1980. Some other names Alan Randall, Frank Round, Keith Staples.
The engineering bit moved to Pitsford Street in abt 1981 and was only there until mid 1983.
My dad was at Cannings from about 1954 to 1960 so might have known him, shame the way old Birmingham engineering companies all disappeared, Cannings, Lucas, etc...my dad was in the offices as advertising/publicity manager, he left to join Beatties in Wolverhampton in 1961.
 
My dad was at Cannings from about 1954 to 1960 so might have known him, shame the way old Birmingham engineering companies all disappeared, Cannings, Lucas, etc...my dad was in the offices as advertising/publicity manager, he left to join Beatties in Wolverhampton in 1961.
What was your Dads name? I was at Cannings 1957 to 1962

Bob
 
What was your Dads name? I was at Cannings 1957 to 1962

Bob
Hi Bob, it was Jeffrey Dry, he worked in the offices and knew Sir Ernest...was only young then he would ave been about 33 in 1957, it was his 2nd job after leaving London University. Died now I'm afraid!.
 
Hi Bob, it was Jeffrey Dry, he worked in the offices and knew Sir Ernest...was only young then he would ave been about 33 in 1957, it was his 2nd job after leaving London University. Died now I'm afraid!.
Knew him slightly, certainly knew of him, but not someone I was in constant contact with. I was in the engineering order office.

Bob
 
Knew him slightly, certainly knew of him, but not someone I was in constant contact with. I was in the engineering order office.

Bob
Small world isnt it Bob, my dad died in 2019 in Redditch but stayed in touch with a lot of his old colleagues and enjoyed chats about his "old times" at work and growing up in Moseley in the 1920s & 30s..thanks for saying you knew him at Cannings...Cheers, Tony
 
There was a thread on Cannings but it does seem to be missing. This from the Internet:
[h=3]W. Cannings & Co. - Page 6 - Birmingham History Forum
UrlAdvisorGoodImage.png
[/h]birminghamhistory.co.uk › ... › History & Nostalgia › Factories & Offices


Sep 23, 2009 - 15 posts - ‎8 authors
Is there anyone out there that worked at Cannings on Gt Hampton St. I started work there when I was 14 that was in 1941 and left in 1953.
 
There was a thread on Cannings but it does seem to be missing. This from the Internet:
[h=3]W. Cannings & Co. - Page 6 - Birmingham History Forum
UrlAdvisorGoodImage.png
[/h]birminghamhistory.co.uk › ... › History & Nostalgia › Factories & Offices


Sep 23, 2009 - 15 posts - ‎8 authors
Is there anyone out there that worked at Cannings on Gt Hampton St. I started work there when I was 14 that was in 1941 and left in 1953.
My mother and two aunts workedthrought the war and upto1950s
 
....................... pictures of Roy Shepherd
Thats how I recall Roy Shepherd. I didn't work with him but I would see him from time to time.
The engineering part of Cannings went bust in 1983. They were in Pitsford Street at the time. Two new companies sprang up out of the mess. Harper Canning focussed on the polishing equipment side and ESP concentrated on the plating equipment.
ESP meant Engineering Services for Plating. It was headed up by Ken Reid, Harry Eacock, Gordon Wilde, Alf Taylor, Trevor Brown, Chris Bird and Roy. All of them equal share holders as I recall. There were a few employees also, a design engineer (an older bloke), a secretary (young lady), a guy who worked mainly on spares (young chap) and probably some others. I have a vague memory that an accountant from a company in Stratford was also involved. After a few years still resident in Pitsford Street, they moved to New Town Row. It wasn't anything like a lock up garage. On the corner of Brewery Street, now occupied by Prestige Print. I had dealings with them whilst they were in Pitsford Street and in New Town Row but I eventually moved to other things. Over a period of time, the folk in charge (the ones who new the business and the people in it), either left, died or retired, and the accountant ended up owning all the shares, as they frequently do. With all the expertise gone, and another move, all he could do was wind it all up. That was about 1993.
PoJo
 
PoJo,

Many thanks for your reminiscenses about my late brother, Roy. From what I remember, the accountant came around once a week towards the end and the salesman retired about six months before it folded leaving just Roy and the secretary. It gave Roy an interest and when it folded he used to avidly play the stock market and always came out on top. Of course, when the big crash came in 2008, he said it was becoming more and more difficult to make a steady profit and he gave it up.

Maurice :cool:
 
Hi, I got an email notification telling me that you had replied to the post about my dad Maurice. It’s so good to hear from you and I will show dad your reply on Friday when he comes over to us for dinner.
I can then post his reply to you. I know you said you only occasionally check the forum
but I know dad will be really pleased to hear from you.
Photo of the Polishing D.O. around 1971, 1. John Gravenor, 2. Maurice Allen & Keith Staples, 3. Rob Dovey, 4. me again, have a few stories of Maurice :)
 

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Hi everybody. I am Colin Leighfield and I worked at Cannings from March 1963 to November 1972. They were wonderful years that have always stayed with me and set my life’s career route. I joined on the trainee scheme at 16 1/2 years old, having been introduced to the idea by Bryan Jarvis, who was my Flight Lieutenant in 425 Sqn. Air Training Corps. He worked for Ron Beebee. Barry Morris took me on, a great bloke. From 1964 I worked in the Works Office with Ron Sigston and Arthur Pearce, under Pat Dewar. In my last couple of years I was on the road as a polishing materials specialist around the country, but also became more involved in the chemical side and spent a lot of time in Scotland. In 1972 John Thomason introduced the idea of Product Managers and I was one, covering mechanical finishing and Bill Lloyd-Smith covering the rest. That came at a difficult time in my personal life that lead me to leave and move on, but with many regrets. I felt that I’d let John Thomason down, because he’d shown faith in me. It all worked out eventually and I’ve had a successful career, but looking through these posts I see so many names that I remember with great fondness. There are many more that I could mention and still think about. I don’t know if this is of any interest to anyone but I’d love to compare notes and perhaps renew acquaintances. Stay safe everyone.
 
Coleighf,

Welcome to the Forum. Feel free to use the Search engine, top right of every page. We're a friendly bunch and hope you enjoy your stay.

Maurice :cool:
 
Hello Everybody I have just found this site while trying to find current Canning family members since I have a book from the old Canning library that was closed down at the end of Robert Allens' reign as Publicity Manager. I spent 16 years at Canning from 1965 to 1981 working with Jack Dove (great bloke), Big Cedric Clifford, Keth Rogers,Pete Stamper (now Dr. Stamper) all the reps including Barry Comelio,Don Haynes (in France) Lionel Lane, Peter Narey (in Germany),Ted Hansell and more.Starting in the laboratory I worked through to products marketing manager when marketing was just coming in to the UK. I launched Envirozin, Gemini Nickels, Cleaners, Nickel booster etc. always backed up with brilliant art work by Bill Wood(s) in publicity.John Thomason was my boss and our paths crossed when after leaving I became a consultant in the metal finishing industry working with paint companies, JCB,The Home Office, Thomas H Gee and many others.So good to learn that Canning folk are in touch with each other. I remember driving Norman Thurston to work once to twice from Burntwood, having many evenings at John Cheatles' flat in Harbone with my wife who was really good company. Sorry to go on so long but many memories coming back. Save some for later!
 
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