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CW Cheney, Factory Road in Hockley

K

KARENW

knowlegable brummie
Hello there,
Does anyone remember a Sid Burrows who was the foreman at C W Cheney in Factory Road, Hockley, B'ham. It would have been around late 1950's and early 1960's? If so, does anyone have any photo's, I would love to see them if you have.
Many thanks
Karen
 
KARENW said:
Hello there,
Does anyone remember a Sid Burrows who was the foreman at C W Cheney in Factory Road, Hockley, B'ham. It would have been around late 1950's and early 1960's? If so, does anyone have any photo's, I would love to see them if you have.
Many thanks
Karen
Click to expand...
 
C.W. Cheney & Sons. were founded in 1898. They were described in early directory as "Jewellery case makers by a patented process the all pulp jewel, razor, cigarette, needle and medal cases, ready for covering and lining."

1753270499161.png Factory Road showing C.W. Cheney & Sons. in 1920.

A later description in 1956 said "Goods Services Description: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FITTINGS OF COMMON METAL FOR USE ON SUIT CASES, ATTACHE CASES, TRAVEL B TRUNKS AND LIKE ARTICLES; AND HOSE CLIPS (METAL). 1956".

In 2001 futher description and closure:

1753270174257.png		In 1990s the company was purchased by a German Company, Franzen, who then sold out to a venture capital company in 2000. On the 1st June 2000 they acquired Liston Products (Bridgetown) Ltd (q.v.) and all production was moved to Birmingham.
In January 2001 (Sunday Mercury) Official Receivers were put int o close the company down. There had been some irregularity over the administration of the pension fund and possibly £3,000,000 had gone missing. The firm was acquired by F.H.Tomkins Buckle Company Ltd. of Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall on the 31st January 2001. Manufacture continued at Factory Road for a short time but then transferred Walsall. The Receivers settled all the liabilities relating to previous trading by Cheney prior to the changeover. (FHT letter 14/2/2001)Aa

And finally in 2002: UK - Six people charged with conspiracy to steal nearly £3m from the CW Cheney & Son pension fund appeared before Birmingham Crown Court yesterday
A sad ending to an old Birmingham company.
 
very interesting superdad but just looking at your photo which is not that clear the cars do not look like 1920s cars..could be my eyes though

lyn
 
Hi Lyn & Mike,

Just looked up original photo which was on "Birmingham Images: Library of Birmingham" with the caption :

Date:1920 - 1940 (c.)
Description:This photograph was taken from the bottom of St Michaels Hill. The road to the right is Newton Place and that on the left is Factory Road showing the factory building of C.W.Cheney & Son Ltd., manufacturers of metal pressing.

Agree completely with you - perhaps even 1940 is a bit early? Cars not my strong point!

Some more images.

1753275820794.jpeg 1753275889000.jpeg 1753275856491.jpeg
 
Last edited:
superdad3 said:
Hi Lyn & Mike,

Just looked up original photo which was on "Birmingham Images: Library of Birmingham" with the caption :

Date:1920 - 1940 (c.)
Description:This photograph was taken from the bottom of St Michaels Hill. The road to the right is Newton Place and that on the left is Factory Road showing the factory building of C.W.Cheney & Son Ltd., manufacturers of metal pressing.

Agree completely with you - perhaps even 1940 is a bit early? Cars not my strong point!
Click to expand...
not mine either but i would say 1960s

lyn
 
My Grandfather Samuel Williams was a toolmaker there. He is in the 1921 Census as Press tool Maker at Cheneys. Technical manager in 1939 Register.
 
KARENW said:
Hello there,
Does anyone remember a Sid Burrows who was the foreman at C W Cheney in Factory Road, Hockley, B'ham. It would have been around late 1950's and early 1960's? If so, does anyone have any photo's, I would love to see them if you have.
Many thanks
Karen
Click to expand...
Hi Karen I remember my dad mention the name Sid burrows there was a lot of different shops in Cheney's so there would be a few foremen or fore women ,did burrows was one of the then there were Arthur Hatton ,bill trueman of the warehouse ,,and Vic hipkiss,Harry bird was my dads foreman Ronald carpenter was my father he worked there for 24 or more yrs and my mom under Vic hipkiss ,everybody knew one or another there were moms m dads ,or husbands n wives sisters or brothers ,
Everyone was related to someone ,it was a family company very friendly what a shame it all fizzled out to work at Cheney's you were somebody top dog of Birmingham ,as Lucas or cadburys or even Leyland car makers. .happy days as I worked there too ,as well as my dad and mom ,from 1977 till 1981 I had a lovely time working there ,Christmas parties with father Christmas handing out presents ,to anyone that worked at Cheney's children ,and pantomimes London theatre trips ,good old days
 
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