Cockers Chemicals (Nipa Laboratories)

firefighter753 · 02-04-2006, 09:11

Firstly sorry about the loss of jobs and I hope you find work very quickly, but it must be a good thing for Oswaldtwistle with the closure of this chemical factory and the removal of all the nasties, although I will miss the 'CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS OR YOU WILL DIE' siren test at 11.00am on the first wednesday of every month. In a professional capacity I say good ridance to an old enemy. Again I apologise to anyone who as lost their job.

mez · 02-04-2006, 09:30

it is sad another company closing its doors ..but i won't miss that dreaded siren.

SPUGGIE J · 02-04-2006, 09:46

We still have ours worst luck but even those doing well are shedding jobs. All those years and experience in the industry and now having to find other jobs, which might not be easy for those who's speciallty is the chemical industry. I hope they can find work soon or have other jobs lined up as it is far from fun being in limbo job wise not knowing your future.

katex · 02-04-2006, 09:58

Yes, remember the smell as a girl up New Lane, ... little like disinfectant ? Haven't noticed it over the last years though. Best of luck to all those losing their jobs, bet some of them have been there for years.

Know what it has been like for the people who worked for my company with the closure of their mills, over 300 people gone. Whole families. Hilden was the last weaving mill in Oswaldtwistle to go and seems at one time it was supported by 18. Cheap labour abroad I'm afraid.

SPUGGIE J · 02-04-2006, 10:41

You get used to the smell over time. After I have been out of Grangemouth for a few days or especially when I return from Accy it aint just the smell you can taste it as well. Sadley someones gain is anothers loss in this case jobs.

garinda · 02-04-2006, 16:33

We used to live over Stanhill as children, and always knew we were in for good weather when we could smell Cockers, although we weren't to popular when we used to come back bright orange, after playing in the brook at Brookside. An early form of St. Tropez tan I suppose.

It is a great pity for the people that have lost their jobs, but from a safety point of view it can only be a good thing for the area.

lettie · 02-04-2006, 17:15

It's a shame for the job losses but environmentally 'Cockers' will not be missed. I worked there in 1985 and was plagued with chest infections all of the time I was there. My GP told me to get out, which I subsequently did. Never had a chest infection since...

davebtelford · 01-07-2010, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by lettie

It's a shame for the job losses but environmentally 'Cockers' will not be missed. I worked there in 1985 and was plagued with chest infections all of the time I was there. My GP told me to get out, which I subsequently did. Never had a chest infection since...

Cockers is but a memory now - I took a walk round there last year when I visited Ossy. All that was left were the fence, the gatehouse & the redbrick research laboratory and office buildings. All the plant, engineers, plumbers, electricians & blacksmith shops demolished. A watchman told us it was going to become a horse-riding centre.

I worked there for about 5 years in the 60s/70s and (like Lettie) had a bad chest for the whole time - kinda like asthma attacks. It cleared up within 6 months of leaving and I've never had any further problem. It did provide employment for Ossy folk but also killed a good number before their time!

Having worked there I shudder to think what went down the drain and what has been left in the ground.

jaysay · 02-07-2010, 09:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by davebtelford

Cockers is but a memory now - I took a walk round there last year when I visited Ossy. All that was left were the fence, the gatehouse & the redbrick research laboratory and office buildings. All the plant, engineers, plumbers, electricians & blacksmith shops demolished. A watchman told us it was going to become a horse-riding centre.

I worked there for about 5 years in the 60s/70s and (like Lettie) had a bad chest for the whole time - kinda like asthma attacks. It cleared up within 6 months of leaving and I've never had any further problem. It did provide employment for Ossy folk but also killed a good number before their time!

Having worked there I shudder to think what went down the drain and what has been left in the ground.

I lived on Eagle Street in Ossy in the late 60s early 70s which was across the field from cockers, I have suffered with a chronic chest for over 30 years, sure cockers wasn't to blame but it sure as hell didn't help

sm_counsell · 02-07-2010, 09:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

I lived on Eagle Street in Ossy in the late 60s early 70s which was across the field from cockers, I have suffered with a chronic chest for over 30 years, sure cockers wasn't to blame but it sure as hell didn't help

If I remenber correctly, some years ago my brother Mike was involved (with others) in a petition against Cockers because of all the cases of MS in and around the factory.
I don't know what happened other than discovering that every time Cocker's were brought to court, they just paid the fines and then continued poisoning the air.
I'm sure you are all a lot healthier now.

cashman · 02-07-2010, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm_counsell

I'm sure you are all a lot healthier now.

Think jaysay might dispute that sue.

jaysay · 02-07-2010, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm_counsell

If I remenber correctly, some years ago my brother Mike was involved (with others) in a petition against Cockers because of all the cases of MS in and around the factory.
I don't know what happened other than discovering that every time Cocker's were brought to court, they just paid the fines and then continued poisoning the air.
I'm sure you are all a lot healthier now.

My first wife carried on living in that area after we spilt, in 72, sadly she died from MS in 1988

jaysay · 02-07-2010, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

Think jaysay might dispute that sue.

you can say that again

sm_counsell · 03-07-2010, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

you can say that again

Sorry about that Jaysay. I'm also trying to remember a girl I knew from that area and she died with ms. I think she was married to a lad I used to play tennis with.
Could it be Pete Shorrock?

cashman · 03-07-2010, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by sm_counsell

Sorry about that Jaysay. I'm also trying to remember a girl I knew from that area and she died with ms. I think she was married to a lad I used to play tennis with.
Could it be Pete Shorrock?

Used to work wi Pete, lived up top of ossy,he was a wagon driver, his missus died wi that i think.