I started work there in 1959. It was an amazing place, we had live groups there.
The ModernairesMary keelingTHOMAS HADDON and STOKES..DIGBETH ..factories
I worked there from 1956 until 1961 firstly as an office junior and then as telephonist.
I worked as a junior after leaving school in 1964 in till 1968 went into the typing pool and we used the first electronic typewriters in Brum called series sterling and decimal invoice estermaters they had golf balls instead of keys great times . I moved into the factory office my manager was Roger Scott. I met clive strong there who worked in development does any one know him today please
yes I worked there from 1962_ 78,bob allcock,ex apprentice,new all the somervilles,sadley recently met up with george and paul at alex,s funeral. until the lock down we,ex workers, have regular meet ups at the briar rose in bennetts hill.This is a photograph taken of Thomas Haddon & Stokes. The factory & offices were located in Digbeth. I thought I would share this photograph that my father kept from his time working there.
Did anyone else work there? And if so, did you know any of the Somervilles who worked there?
Hi Bob,yes I worked there from 1962_ 78,bob allcock,ex apprentice,new all the somervilles,sadley recently met up with george and paul at alex,s funeral. until the lock down we,ex workers, have regular meet ups at the briar rose in bennetts hill.
HI BOB, THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY,[ SPENT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AT SMALLS LEARNING ABOUT PRESS TOOLS.A FEW NAMES YOU MIGHT REMEMBER ,JOHN MONROE, KEITH NEWBURY, BILLY BRITTON. I DO REMEMBER TOM AND LlOYD ALTHOUGH JIM COCKROFT AND DAVID PLANT RAN APPRENTICE TRAINING IN MY TIME AND MY GOOD FRIEND BOB KAINE AFTER THEM. BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE . TAke care bob.Hi Bob,
I was an craft apprentice from 1966 to 1969, I did off the job training at Garretts Green and worked at W H Small, went to the Heath Street Training school for a while and was in maintenance at H&S. I still have my log book from the Training School signed by Tom Hobourn and complete with my first payslip net pay £3.18. 8. I remember your name as an ex apprentice but cannot put a face to the name, mind you it has been 54 years ago. I left in 1969 following a disagreement with David Lloyd on my future training. I was sad to go but it worked out ok in the end. regards Bob
Hi Bob,hi.mary, I too would like to find out about clive,who was agreat mate as apprentices, along with ron akril,graham smith,and pete grainger. If you do hear of any of them or anyone else who worked there up until it closed down please let us know. regards bob allcock.
hi claire, so good to hear from you, I new graham very well and remember sheila too. graham,ron,robin and pete grainger were top guys to us first year apprentices along with 4 or 5 others of their year. as soon as I send this this I will call bob kaine and let him know we have made contact with one of the top apps. IF GRAHAM can let us know of any one else who was in apprentice scheme let us know, before lockdown we had regular meet ups. kind regards bob.Hi Bob,
I am one of Graham Smith’s daughters. My mum Sheila found this forum. She also has fond memories of working there. I will tell my Dad about this site. I am sure he will be thrilled to hear about it. I will tell him to register. Kind regards Claire
hello again claire, just incase you happen to see this reply its to let you know that we ex.apprentices are meeting up on the 27 of april at the malt shovel stonebridge island 12 noon,we have booked 2 tables.a very good and old friend of grahams, george somerville will be there. all the very best bob.Hi Bob,
I am one of Graham Smith’s daughters. My mum Sheila found this forum. She also has fond memories of working there. I will tell my Dad about this site. I am sure he will be thrilled to hear about it. I will tell him to register. Kind regards Claire
Hi Bob,hello again claire, just incase you happen to see this reply its to let you know that we ex.apprentices are meeting up on the 27 of april at the malt shovel stonebridge island 12 noon,we have booked 2 tables.a very good and old friend of grahams, george somerville will be there. all the very best bob.
Hi Bob,
I have spoken to my Dad & he has asked me to let you know that he will definitely be joining you all on the 27th April. My Uncle Mel is going to come along too with my Dad. He was also an apprentice at the same company.
kind regards Claire
hi claire, thank you for your reply,have informed bob kaine and we look forward to meeting up with graham again after 50 years or more. kind regards bob.yearsyHi Bob,
I have spoken to my Dad & he has asked me to let you know that he will definitely be joining you all on the 27th April. My Uncle Mel is going to come along too with my Dad. He was also an apprentice at the same company.
kind regards Claire
Hi Bob, Claire pasted on the message to Graham and he will be attending. I am his brother in law and also was a GKN electrical apprentice (start 1966) based at Frederick Mountfords, my induction and couple of my placements were at Haddon & Stokes amongst others. I do hope you don't have any objections to me attending as well.hello again claire, just incase you happen to see this reply its to let you know that we ex.apprentices are meeting up on the 27 of april at the malt shovel stonebridge island 12 noon,we have booked 2 tables.a very good and old friend of grahams, george somerville will be there. all the very best bob.
hi mel, of course your welcome,but just been informed in the last 10 minutes the malt shovel at stonebridge has closed.new venue is the malt shovel in barston lane, solihull. b92 0jp.can you both make it, let me know asap. regards bob.Hi Bob, Claire pasted on the message to Graham and he will be attending. I am his brother in law and also was a GKN electrical apprentice (start 1966) based at Frederick Mountfords, my induction and couple of my placements were at Haddon & Stokes amongst others. I do hope you don't have any objections to me attending as well.
hi clair, so sorry for this,have already sent message to mel. new venue the malt shovel in barton lane b92 0jp . the one at stonebridge island as closed. regards bob.hello again claire, just incase you happen to see this reply its to let you know that we ex.apprentices are meeting up on the 27 of april at the malt shovel stonebridge island 12 noon,we have booked 2 tables.a very good and old friend of grahams, george somerville will be there. all the very best bob.
Bob. Yes we will both be there, thanks for letting me know.hi mel, of course your welcome,but just been informed in the last 10 minutes the malt shovel at stonebridge has closed.new venue is the malt shovel in barston lane, solihull. b92 0jp.can you both make it, let me know asap. regards bob.
hi clair, your dad and mel made the meet up and had a great time. reconised him immediately and we had a good chat about the times we had together. I am sure he will be looking forward to the next one, thanks again for making the connection. kind regards bob.Hi Bob,
I have spoken to my Dad & he has asked me to let you know that he will definitely be joining you all on the 27th April. My Uncle Mel is going to come along too with my Dad. He was also an apprentice at the same company.
kind regards Claire
Come across these with Graham on.hi clair, your dad and mel made the meet up and had a great time. reconised him immediately and we had a good chat about the times we had together. I am sure he will be looking forward to the next one, thanks again for making the connection. kind regards bob.
hi mel, absolutely top draw photos of ron and graham, just going to let bob kaine know. hope you both enjoyed our meet up and hope to see you both again next time. regards bob.Come across these with Graham on.