Nettlefolds Limited

[suemalings]

A friend of mine lives on the Moor Pool estate in Harborne. The estate was the idea of John Nettlefold. I visited Winterbourne House some time ago. Well worth the visit. (My father in law worked for a company called Brook Tool Automation which, I think, was eventually bought out by GKN.) Hadn't GKN used to have offices in Digbeth?

 

[Oisin]

A friend of mine lives on the Moor Pool estate in Harborne. The estate was the idea of John Nettlefold. I visited Winterbourne House some time ago. Well worth the visit. (My father in law worked for a company called Brook Tool Automation which, I think, was eventually bought out by GKN.) Hadn't GKN used to have offices in Digbeth?

Yes, Winterbourne House and Gardens is well worth a visit and right on my doorstep. Tea on terrace is a very civilized, English way to spend a hot summer's afternoon.

 

[Alan Cotterill]

I have just found this really interesting site and pleased to see a few names I remember well. I was an apprentice from 1961 until I moved on after 14 years. I worked my way through the training school under Joe Harris, the Products Department and then as a Sales Engineer in the Dynaflow Department. I also was a tour guide. ( do you remember ‘Winky’ Mee).
I remember Dave Rock particularly and Derek Biggs less so.
This was a great place to work and I still have fond memories.
My father was a long standing employee as Training Manager.
I stayed in the fastener industry all my working life first at a company called Headings, and then at Webb Fasteners. Eventually started my own distribution company called Severn Valley Fasteners. Although now retired the company lives on and owned and run by my Son-in-Law.

 

[Astoness]

I have just found this really interesting site and pleased to see a few names I remember well. I was an apprentice from 1961 until I moved on after 14 years. I worked my way through the training school under Joe Harris, the Products Department and then as a Sales Engineer in the Dynaflow Department. I also was a tour guide. ( do you remember ‘Winky’ Mee).
I remember Dave Rock particularly and Derek Biggs less so.
This was a great place to work and I still have fond memories.
My father was a long standing employee as Training Manager.
I stayed in the fastener industry all my working life first at a company called Headings, and then at Webb Fasteners. Eventually started my own distribution company called Severn Valley Fasteners. Although now retired the company lives on and owned and run by my Son-in-Law.

nice first post alan...hope you enjoy the forum

lyn

 

[Richard Dye]

A friend of mine lives on the Moor Pool estate in Harborne. The estate was the idea of John Nettlefold. I visited Winterbourne House some time ago. Well worth the visit. (My father in law worked for a company called Brook Tool Automation which, I think, was eventually bought out by GKN.) Hadn't GKN used to have offices in Digbeth?

Sue, just reading this thread. What is your father in laws name? I worked at Brook Tool in the late 50’s early 60’s as a technical apprentice.

 

[Lawaaca]

Hi Derek, Delboy0127
I was a GKN apprentice with Haddon and Stokes and was sent witha few others apprentices to Heath Street training school (which was considereda centre of excellence) for a few months in 1966/67. I worked my way throughthe training school doing fitting with Joe Harris, Turning with Sid Rudge andmilling with a man whose name I cannot remember. I found the place a greatplace to learn and the 3 instructors were good craftsmen with a good attitude,but I recall there was very little messing about allowed. Of the Heath Streetapprentices that were there at the time I can only remember a couple of namesMalcolm Law and I think (Mick) Bates who were the same year as me.
The reason I joinedGKN when there were plenty of other opportunities (how different to today) wasbecause a lad who lived in my street and went to my school but was a couple ofyears older than me, became a Heath Street apprentice and said GKN was a goodplace to work. When he finished his time I think he worked as an auto setter inthe Nut Shop at Heath Street, his name was Michael King, who I have not seensince those days. If you were 1961 to 66 you might have known him. This threadhas jogged a few memories, Bob James

Hi Derek, Delboy0127
I was a GKN apprentice with Haddon and Stokes and was sent witha few others apprentices to Heath Street training school (which was considereda centre of excellence) for a few months in 1966/67. I worked my way throughthe training school doing fitting with Joe Harris, Turning with Sid Rudge andmilling with a man whose name I cannot remember. I found the place a greatplace to learn and the 3 instructors were good craftsmen with a good attitude,but I recall there was very little messing about allowed. Of the Heath Streetapprentices that were there at the time I can only remember a couple of namesMalcolm Law and I think (Mick) Bates who were the same year as me.
The reason I joinedGKN when there were plenty of other opportunities (how different to today) wasbecause a lad who lived in my street and went to my school but was a couple ofyears older than me, became a Heath Street apprentice and said GKN was a goodplace to work. When he finished his time I think he worked as an auto setter inthe Nut Shop at Heath Street, his name was Michael King, who I have not seensince those days. If you were 1961 to 66 you might have known him. This threadhas jogged a few memories, Bob James

Hi BOBJ,
Malcolm Law is my Dad and Albert Law was my Grandad, I know they both worked in Heath St mill, my grandad was a foreman there. Kind Regards
Craig Law

 

[BOBJ]

Hi Craig,
its nice to hear from you, and I hope your dad is well. Your post stirred my memory about this short period in my training, as I said in my earlier post the discipline was tight in the training school but we had many laughs at the same time. The Heath Street lads made us South Birmingham boys welcome and we had a few adventures outside work, like visits to the Bier Keller at the Kings Head on Hagley Road and to the GKN club, all seasoned drinkers at 17/18 years old !!
Give my regards to your Dad.
Bob James