Ephraim phillips ltd

[toolsetter]

Hello Peter,i retired eighteen months ago from Royal Mail engineers after thirty one years .I left the screw trade in 1982 from Griffin Fastners,i live in Kings Norton
Birmingham not far from the Green.Iwould be very gratful for the telephone numbers.d

 

[CaroleC]

I worked for Douglas Phillips from 68 to 73 I remember his wife Mona and her son Jim Keebel who worked with us, there was also Mr Simms and Mr Davis, Alan Snape. In the drawing department was Ian Harrop Richard ?? and Terry Stacy. I loved it there and only left to marry and move South.

 

[CaroleC]

I worked in the office of EP from 1968 to 1973

Douglas Phillips and his wife Mona and her son Jim Keebel also worked with us. I remember a few names from the office;

Mr Simms, Mr Davies, Alec Harris, Alan Snape and in the drawing office was Ian Harrop, Richard ??? Terry Stacey and I think there was a WallyCheese.:fat:

 

[Peter Hunt]

I worked in the office of EP from 1968 to 1973

Douglas Phillips and his wife Mona and her son Jim Keebel also worked with us. I remember a few names from the office;

Mr Simms, Mr Davies, Alec Harris, Alan Snape and in the drawing office was Ian Harrop, Richard ??? Terry Stacey and I think there was a WallyCheese.:fat:

Hi CaroleC, I remember all the above people Richards surname was Hide. There was also Kelvyn Cooper, Derick Price, Derick More in the office at that time. Terry Stacey brother Mike work in the maintenance dept.

 

[CaroleC]

I must know you, I worked with Bill Huckfield he was a very miserable man, and a lady called Nancy. I then went to reception with Ann the big blonde with the even bigger buffont! I remember Jim Keevil, mona Phillips son also worked with us. Mr Simms and next door Mr Davis.
I remember a Peter in our office worked next to the telex machine.

 

[CaroleC]

I worked at EP from late 60s until 1973 in reception.Does anyone remember the name of the pub at the bottom of Bissell street towards Digbeth where a lot of us used to go for our xmas drink, and every Friday of course.

 

[toolsetter]

I think the pub at the bottom of Bissel st was called the Town Crier .The pub next to Ephraims was the Sir Charles Napier i used to go for a drink with
Walley Cheese who used to work in the tool room.

 

[CaroleC]

Hi Peter, light bulb moment, of course I remember you, did you have a young girl called Linda work with you for awhile and then Margaret who married Gordon. I have lost track of Margaret Thorn and Ann Siddorn does anyone know of them.

 

[Bromsgroveman]

I was an apprentice in the 60's at Ephraim Phillips Ltd in Bissell Street. It would be great to contact fellow work mates.
I also have many old ledgers which belonged to the founder Ephraim Phillips dating back to the 1880's, which I found in a rubbish bin when the company was closing down.

Peter

My grandmother, Cecilia Costello nee Kelly, started work age 12 in 1896 at Ephraim Phillips.
A CD and booklet are being produced about her life and songs she used to sing.
I would dearly love to find any information about her work at Ephraim Phillips screw factory.
Is it possible for me to view the old ledgers, please?

Regards
Patrick Costello
contact 01527 872968
Mobile 07828666581
Email [email protected]

 

[tezzers]

My dad worked at EP when I was little maybe late 70s to early 80s his name was Michael Stacey. I remember going to Christmas parties there

 

[tezzers]

Mick Stacey was my dad. Terry is my uncle. Tho I was little I don't remember him working there just dad taking us to Christmas parties when I was little

 

[Peter Hunt]

Hello tezzers, I remember your Dad Mike he work in the maintenance department, Alan Watkins was the foreman. I also remember your uncle Terry who was a very good footballer.

 

[Reddi]

looking at this thread reminded me that I used to work at Ephraim Phillips. When I left school in 1964 I started there as a trainee "rolled thread fastener operative", embarked on a City & Guilds course along with I think, 5 others. Two of us were employed by EP and the others came from factories in Coventry and London. In between our theoretical studies at Selly Oak tech. college we carried out our practical training in Bissel St, the small training workshop was on the first floor at the back of the factory overlooking the River Rea.
We also (the two of us who worked for EP) had to rotate in the various areas of the factory, on the heading/threading and slotting machines.
After 12months and obtaining a C&G certificate, I decided that a factory life was not for me and left to work for what was Midlands Electricity Board as an apprentice cable jointer, staying in the electrical distribution industry for the last 49 years.
I often wander how my life would have turned out if I had stayed there at EP instead.

 

[CaroleC]

Hi Peter, I remember you, I worked at EP with a lady name Nancy and a chap called Bill Huckfield.

 

[CaroleC]

I worked at Ephraim Phillips in the 60s in many different office roles, I remember Ann Siddorn, Margaret Thorn, Peter Barnett, Carol Connelly, Mr Simms etc.,

 

[Hazel Phillips]

Peter

I know you wrote this some time ago, but I am Ephraim's granddaughter ie Douglas's daughter. I am interested to pursue the history of Ephraim, but wonder whether you still have those old ledgers?

Best wishes

Hazel

 

[Hazel Phillips]

Hello there.

I hope that this reaches you as it is some years since you posted your note. However, we must be related. Ephraim was my great grandfather, Howard my grandfather and Douglas my father. So where do you fit in the family?

By the way, I think the book referred to might be 'Balsall Heath, a history' which I saw in the Birmingham Library.

Interested to hear from you!

Best wishes

Hazel

 

[MaxBrum]

I worked in the fastener/Bolts/screws and nuts business my whole life and finally retired as General Manager of a fastener company in Canda. I started out aged 15 at John Bradley on Holloway head, worked at Thomas Eaves in Ernest street, Ephraim Phillips in Balsall Heath, Haddon and Stokes and Headings in Digbeth, Baxters in Sheepcote street, GKN Newtons in Nechells.
Mickey Breen ran a trainng school funded by all of the Fastener companies in Brum and Coventry and Wasall and located in the upstairs of Haddon and Stokes. What a shame that a whole industry has gone now, it was a great business to be in with a great bunch of people.

CBirch, when was it that you worked at Baxters? Which department? Grateful any info.

 

[ade]

Hello tezzers, I remember your Dad Mike he work in the maintenance department, Alan Watkins was the foreman. I also remember your uncle Terry who was a very good footballer.

Hi Peter
I've only just come across this thread, I think I remember you, I worked just down the road in bissell street opposite the pig and whistle pub, I was good friends with Alan and Malcolm who were in there every afternoon without fail, when I started my business they let me set up a little work shop upstairs, I remember all you guys helping me get all my gear up there in that dodgy lift, then it was sold off and everyone was moved out, happy days tho

 

[janegee]

Hallo I hope you dont mind me posting but when I was training as a civil servant in the jobcentre we were taken down to Ephraim Phillips for a tour around the factory to see the process from start to finish. I used to love doing visits like this but it wasnt always encouraged. It was a fascinating place to see the press work cnc etc it was funny because at 12 oclock the hooter went and I have never seen people move so fast it was I think Friday

 

[Radiorails]

Hallo I hope you dont mind me posting but when I was training as a civil servant in the jobcentre we were taken down to Ephraim Phillips for a tour around the factory to see the process from start to finish. I used to love doing visits like this but it wasnt always encouraged. It was a fascinating place to see the press work cnc etc it was funny because at 12 oclock the hooter went and I have never seen people move so fast it was I think Friday

There are quite a few photos on the Forum showing how many people let their factories - it looks, to an outsider, rather like they were running away from some catastrophe.

 

[SteveNewell]

I was an apprentice in the 60's at Ephraim Phillips Ltd in Bissell Street. It would be great to contact fellow work mates.
I also have many old ledgers which belonged to the founder Ephraim Phillips dating back to the 1880's, which I found in a rubbish bin when the company was closing down.

Peter

Hello Peter
I was an apprentice Maintenance Fitter at Ephraim Phillips from 1973 to 77. I remember your name but can’t recall your face. I loved my time there and learnt some fantastic skills thanks to the great tradesmen I worked with. It was Ron Maybury who interviewed me and gave me the apprenticeship, a great guy to whom I owe a debt of gratitude. I worked with: (amongst others)
George Williams
Alan Watkins
Tex
Tony Whelan
Albert Harrison
Lenny Lester
Mick Stacey
Barry Johnson
Jack (Long?) Pipefitter
David Evetts
Gary Jennings
Kenny Bartlam
Les Goodman
Micky Atkins

I would love to see the photos you have. If possible could you email them to me please [email protected]
Many thanks Peter
Steven Newell

 

[SteveNewell]

Hello there.

I hope that this reaches you as it is some years since you posted your note. However, we must be related. Ephraim was my great grandfather, Howard my grandfather and Douglas my father. So where do you fit in the family?

By the way, I think the book referred to might be 'Balsall Heath, a history' which I saw in the Birmingham Library.

Interested to hear from you!

Best wishes

Hazel

Hello Hazel
I remember you! I was an apprentice Fitter at Ephraim Phillips from 73 to 77. Hope life has been good for you.
Kindest Regards
Steven Newell

 

[John twyford]

i worked at ephraims twice .iwas one of the first screw operative block release trainees i did six months at bournvile college and six months <br>at ephraims.<br>i worked with dave andrews&nbsp;on the course.the second time i worked with jack day and ray grew also trevor rhodes and big&nbsp;walley cheese . i <br>also remember the the lad who died cleaning the degreaseing machine. my name is les smith.<br>

Hi Les I worked at Ephraim from 1978 to 1983 Jack Day trained me on the Headers, also did the Bournville college day release program. Ray Grew was the Foreman, Kenny Wilkes, Garry Euienn header operators. Trevor Rhodes is in Canada and I talk with him often have sent him this link as he has a better memory than me of all the names.
John Twyford

 

[SteveNewell]

My dad worked at EP when I was little maybe late 70s to early 80s his name was Michael Stacey. I remember going to Christmas parties there

Hi. I remember Mick Stacey very well. I was an apprentice working with him in the late seventies/early eighties. Mick was a really great person with a fine sense of humour......also a very, very good Machine Tool Maintenance Fitter.
Kindest Regards
Steve

 

[Jstodd12]

Hello there.

I hope that this reaches you as it is some years since you posted your note. However, we must be related. Ephraim was my great grandfather, Howard my grandfather and Douglas my father. So where do you fit in the family?

By the way, I think the book referred to might be 'Balsall Heath, a history' which I saw in the Birmingham Library.

Interested to hear from you!

Best wishes

Hazel

Hi Hazel, just came across this post and was reading through the comments. I'm also related to Ephraim. This brother Nephi is my great great grandfather.
Jane

 

[PaulNO]

Hi
I sold a threadrolling machine to Ephraim Phillips in the late 70s & Ron Maybury was Works Manager then, I worked at Linreads & GKN screws & fasteners in the 60s & 70s.
I remember also the son & Grandson of Ephraim who were still there then I believe was the grandsons name Peter?

I remember Ron Maybury think he ran the toolroom when I was there , believe they did a book to mark the 100 years, was in that runing the 3/8 section, love to find a copy.

 

[PaulNO]

Hi Charlie

Sorry about the name mix-up. Yes I do remember Trevor Rhodes, he ran the 3/8 Waterbury section along with another guy called Les (can't remember his last name.

Peter

that's who I worked with, he left to form Rhodes Screws.

 

[Rich West]

Does anybody remember my dad Rob West who use drive the class 2 from Ephraim Phillips in Chessington Surrey to Birmingham.
I use to come up with my dad now and again when I was very young. I think he use to come up about twice a week to pick a load up to take back to the warehouse in Chessington. I always remember the engineering smell, still do today. Unfortunately my dad died at the age of 56 in 1994. He was with the company for over 20yrs I think and never was the same after the company closed.

 

[Juliann]

I was an apprentice in the 60's at Ephraim Phillips Ltd in Bissell Street. It would be great to contact fellow work mates.
I also have many old ledgers which belonged to the founder Ephraim Phillips dating back to the 1880's, which I found in a rubbish bin when the company was closing down.

Peter

Hello Peter I don’t suppose you would still have these ledgers would you ?? I would be interested to see if two certain names are listed both for 1963 my grandmother Betty Rees and a man called Phillip Edward’s who eventually married my auntie (my mom’s sister). I have only recently discovered they apparently worked there together in 63 and would love to know if this is true thank you.