Nice one Froth. Seems the camouflage did a good job. Anyone know if painting buildings with camouflage involves a different technique to a signwriters technique? Viv.
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Ghost signs of Birmingham
- Thread starter Gez
- Start date
Nice one Froth. Seems the camouflage did a good job. Anyone know if painting buildings with camouflage involves a different technique to a signwriters technique? Viv.
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BernardR
Guest
You are right about the gates sure enough as can be seen on the side bits.
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BernardR
Guest
Your right our Kid - Tufnol Composites - the leading UK manufacturer, machinist and stockist of high performance laminates, composites and engineering plastics is celebrating 80 years of continuous manufacturing of the globally recognised TUFNOL laminate range at its Perry Barr, Birmingham site.
It was back in the early 1920’s that George Ellison, founder of the famous switchgear and control gear firm, issued a brief to his research chemists to develop a superior insulating material for use in the Company’s switchgear production. Ultimately to be called Kite Brand Tufnol, a newly developed material was born in the Company’s laboratory, which utilised resin-impregnated paper that was then moulded under heat and pressure. Initially the paper based laminate was produced for internal consumption only, but it was not long before demand from outside the Company reached such a level that greater production space became essential. In 1929, a purpose-built factory was opened accommodating specially designed and improved plant to cater for the expanding market.
https://www.tufnol.com/tufnol/default.asp?id=126
It was back in the early 1920’s that George Ellison, founder of the famous switchgear and control gear firm, issued a brief to his research chemists to develop a superior insulating material for use in the Company’s switchgear production. Ultimately to be called Kite Brand Tufnol, a newly developed material was born in the Company’s laboratory, which utilised resin-impregnated paper that was then moulded under heat and pressure. Initially the paper based laminate was produced for internal consumption only, but it was not long before demand from outside the Company reached such a level that greater production space became essential. In 1929, a purpose-built factory was opened accommodating specially designed and improved plant to cater for the expanding market.
https://www.tufnol.com/tufnol/default.asp?id=126
Interestingly Geo. Ellison also made hospital beds at one time. Would have been around the 1970s I think. Now that's diversification! Viv.
Well, as they say, you live and learn! I never knew that there was a connection between Tufnol and Ellison's. I was brought up within sniffing distance of Tufnol, back in the 1950's, and the pong of phenolic resin made that particular company highly unpopular around Perry Barr. I've actually machined a fair bit of Tufnol over the years, and it still stinks!
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You've jogged a distinct memory there Big Gee. Both my mum and dad worked at GE and I remember that smell on their clothes. I also went to Christmas parties at the works, so no excuse for me getting my bearings wrong. But map reading was never a strongpoint! Viv.
I know it's off topic Bernie but there's a lot of interesting info in the link and it's helped me understand why my dad joined the company. A nice bonus, many, many thanks! Viv.
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BernardR
Guest
Now you need to start a dedicated thread for it Viv:stung:
john knight
signman
Viv, the only difference is in the size of brushes,ie; 8" wallop brushes as opposed to a no. 8 signwriting sable brush.
Yes, will do Bernie. Seems like it was quite a progressive business in its time.
Thanks John - like the name, 'wallop' brushes! Viv.
Thanks John - like the name, 'wallop' brushes! Viv.
Taylor and Challen on Constitution Hill certainly intended their name would be visible. It's still visible on their buildings (or maybe it was once one main building which was extended?) including an office entrance on Constitution Hill and further works in Henrietta Street round the corner. Viv.
That's a great sign Phil. Gives us that little bit extra about when the workshop (?) was built and re.-built. Hopefully the building and its sign is preserved. The premises on Constitution Hill (well the part known as the Derwent Works at #32 to # 42, has Grade 2 listed status. Here's the Listed Building info. Viv.
Some of the best and most evocative ghost-signs are to be seen in rural France, on old buildings that haven't seen a lick of paint for years and years. They really add to the character of the buildings. I wouldn't mind betting that some French ghost-signs date back to before WW1.
Re: Tufnol, my mother used to complain like hell that the washing stank of phenolic resin when she took it in off the line, and because of this she eventually conned the old man into buying a 'Flatley' - remember those?
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Re: Tufnol, my mother used to complain like hell that the washing stank of phenolic resin when she took it in off the line, and because of this she eventually conned the old man into buying a 'Flatley' - remember those?
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BernardR
Guest
Please Note - Vivienne14 has started a dedicated thread for Tufnol and Geo Ellison. Anything relevant to these companies should now be posted there please.
I managed to lose a post that was relative to the Tufnol Thread - if it was yours can you please repost? Thanks.
Bernie
I managed to lose a post that was relative to the Tufnol Thread - if it was yours can you please repost? Thanks.
Bernie
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Hi Big Gee, not sure we can match the French signs can we? But I'm pleasantly surprised by the number that still sem to be around in B'ham ( well at least those on Google Streetview). Here's a good one of Pickering and Mayell, jewellery case manufacturer. A nice example at the junction of Caroline Street and Kenyon St. The old Georgian building (Reliance Works) looks a bit the worse for wear, but it still seems to be in use as P & M also occupy the newer premises next door in Kenyon Street. There's a window sign in the Reliance Works building on the 2nd floor referring to it as a 'Warehouse'. Lots of little clues given here and a wonderful Georgian building as a bonus!
P.S. I do so wish we'd invested in a Flatley Big Gee, just had to put up with the 'Resin Whiff' Viv.
P.S. I do so wish we'd invested in a Flatley Big Gee, just had to put up with the 'Resin Whiff' Viv.
Two more from the Jewellery Quarter. The first a very sad sight, can't quite make out the name - Barrow(cliffe or clough ?) on the corner of Legge Lane and Camden Drive. The second, Jones and Palmer, Printers, in Albion Street. Viv.
Frothblower
Lubrication In Moderation
That's funny viv I was going to put that first photo on myself. I've tried to get in there in the past just to have a look.
Frothblower
Lubrication In Moderation
Nechells Park Pub. Closed for many
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BernardR
Guest
Took this today and even close up cannot be sure what was originally writ. Looks as if the whole block is now owned by University College Birmingham.
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Froth that really is a ghost. When highly magnified you can only just about make out 'Nechells Park'. If you hadn't told, us we'd have spent days debating it!
Bernie, think it looks like Barrowclif(fe) perhaps. We need the help of Mikejee ...... pleeease? Seems odd that it belongs to the School of Food.
This one's not very ghostly, simply layered in lots of blue paint. It's "The Arden Stores" at the junction of Arden Rd/Ash Rd/Bordesley Green Rd. The directions post in the foreground seems to be fading too, think it's lost some arms. Viv.
Bernie, think it looks like Barrowclif(fe) perhaps. We need the help of Mikejee ...... pleeease? Seems odd that it belongs to the School of Food.
This one's not very ghostly, simply layered in lots of blue paint. It's "The Arden Stores" at the junction of Arden Rd/Ash Rd/Bordesley Green Rd. The directions post in the foreground seems to be fading too, think it's lost some arms. Viv.
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BernardR
Guest
Viv - They own a lot of the old buildings around the Quarter and close by - some for development some for keeping.
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Hopefully Bernie there're are plans to renovate/restore etc rather than demolish. Viv.
From between 1956 and 1962 to 1973 Barrowclift Spinnings Ltd metal spinners occupied 25 Legge Lane (with B Stych & co, manuf. jewellers at same no.). there seem to have been a number of companies occupying the site. Around the time of the attached c1889 map it was George H Twigg, manufacturer of paper fastenings. Then it seems to have been a larger building, going back further. This was certainly true up to c 1921. Possibly there was bomb damage during the war
Thanks Rosie and Mike. Nice to get that one sorted. You can just about make out 'ings' on the sign,which must be part of 'Spinnings' (I originally thought it was probably 'buildings'). Viv.
You can just about make out a little of the writing on the wall of this electro-magnetics company in Bond Street. There is still a faint line of writing on the side of the building, level with the top of the first floor windows - where the pinning is. In the B/W 1950s (?) photo you can see the words 'Steel Products B'Ham Ltd', but can't quite make out the name. Looks like it begins with an 'S'.Viv.
Thanks Mike. See what you mean. Maybe it could be Stanier, but you've probably already tried that. Viv.