Originally Posted by Tex (Post 992315)

Thanks foe the feedback- i remember all the names mentioned. Being an apprentice there i was moved to different departments.I started on assembly of shop fittings to the maintenance dept with Bob Swindlehurst and Jim Starkey where we had to do some work above the tanks in the chrome dept, that was very scary but working in maintenance under Jack Stansfield saw us doing jobs at most of the directors homes including Mrs Waterhouses home. It opened my eyes on how the rich lived at that time. They were good times for me and i am sorry to see the old place being demolished as i have a lot of good memories from that place.

Originally Posted by Gremlin (Post 992409)

Three friends of mine worked there,
Alan Luke, driver (now in a nursing home, Jeff Hartley, driver and Peter Smithson joiner.

Alan gave me a photo not long ago of all the vans lined up with the driver and joiner stood next to them in white overalls. I will try to find it and post it if nobody beats me to it.

Originally Posted by Tex (Post 992552)

There are a good few pictures of Shopfitters on this site.
http://oswaldtwistle.shutterfly.com/

Originally Posted by Tex (Post 992555)

I remember seeing and was amazed at all the new salesmen s cars being parked on the car park. I remember the vast number of them and thinking " I am in the wrong job here":) This along with the new Big vans that came after this was amazing.
PS; The new car park - the concrete one in the yard i was a part of making that under Jack Stansfield.

I have to say though that i worked with asbestos sheets whilst in the maintenance dept, cutting it etc; and hope this is not a consequence of me being short of breath now. :(

Originally Posted by Gayle (Post 993351)

My uncle, Roy Mellor worked at Shopfitters for a long time - probably in the 70s/80s. Not sure of dates.
He lives in St Annes now but I can always pass messages on to him.

Originally Posted by egg&chips (Post 995608)

Is Jimmy Lang still about Jaysay? A towering Geordie of a bloke and a good mate of my late father if it's the same man.

Originally Posted by egg&chips (Post 995637)

Quite possibly J. His name was Cyril, did a bit of insurance borking and frequented Ossy Con, the Straits etc etc.

Originally Posted by ww2linz (Post 1054911)

My Dad worked at shopfitters for the majority of his working life "Brian Birtwell"

Originally Posted by KiTChener (Post 1055183)

Quite a few familiar names here, although not had contact with many in the years since I left.
I was there between 66 & 77.
Some other names people may remember...
Dave Griffiths, outfitter, my brother in law.
Walter Taylor, store man, my father in law.
Charlie ?, also stores.
'Sticky' Sid, assembly stores.
Assembly guys, John Targett, Ronnie Crosland, & charge hand, Dougie ?
Progress chaser, Donald ?, met him in BRI, a couple of months ago.
Harry ? On glass.
Setting/marking out, my main department.... Maurice from Billington, Arthur Monk, semi-pro drummer...Dereck from Ossy, off Thwaites Rd if I remember correctly..... also, Brian, Kevin, Peter Whiteside, Ray Smith, & charge hand Alan Smith.

Many more names floating around my head, thanks, Tex, (don't think I know you) for making me think of old workmates, many of whom impacted upon my life more than I probably gave them credit for.

'Ged'

Originally Posted by Tammistar (Post 1069329)

My dad was Kevin, in setting out. Sadly passed away many years ago and the reason for tracing my family connections is that my mum Joyce has passed away only a few days ago.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 993403)

That name rings a bell Gayle, what department did he work in?

Originally Posted by Gayle (Post 1069941)

He was a joiner.

Sorry, just seen this.

Originally Posted by whatmore55 (Post 1070678)

My Dad Jimmy Whatmore worked in the paint shop for many years up to his retirement

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 1070015)

There were a lot of us about Gayle:D just wondering if he worked on the vans or maintenance, as I said the name does ring a bell but I'm having trouble putting a face to it:confused:

Originally Posted by Gayle (Post 1071494)

He worked on the bar fitters side. Only for about five years in the late seventies/early eighties.

Originally Posted by andynlisa (Post 1085554)

I worked there as an apprentice wood machinist from 1978 under Pete Rourke with Tony Dillon who went to live in Australia, also Dave Ford and little Billy who were great guys. Denis Broderick worked there in sales and Raymond Holt had just took over as Manager on the shop floor..... p.s. Roy Crompton and Rowley if your still about, your a pair of very lucky men taking advantage of a young apprentice lol.

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 1085587)

Would that be the same Dave Ford,i worked wi at Franklands? used to live on Spring St? if so am amazed n glad hes still batting, great geezer.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 1085564)

Denis Brod is sadly no longer with us neither is Rowley (Roland Holms), not sure but I think David Ford lives in sheltered accommodation in Merlin Court, ain't heard anything about Holty since just after shopfitters closed I bumped into him in Burnley, he had just started working for his self

Originally Posted by Aussie Irene (Post 1085723)

My hubby was offered a job when they were in Accrington, before they moved to bigger premises up Ossy. They were known then as Waterhouses. Jaysay, did you know Ernie Crook, Tommy Baron and David Smith. We think Ernie and Tommy had office jobs, but David worked on the shop floor. They were all members at the Dyers. My Husband also knew Dennis Broderick.

Originally Posted by andynlisa (Post 1085780)

Dennis was a great lad, I remember his mum having an old sweet shop that we all used to go to on Catlow Hall Street and Dennis loved his snooker and took Alex Higgins under his wing when he came over from Ireland as a youngman.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 1085804)

The last time I saw Alex he was in Ossy Con one Saturday lunch time with Dennis, we played all afternoon, great experience being on the same table as Higgins, you certainly had to be quick fielding out for him:D When he came over at first he had a flat on Catlow Hall Street over what is the chippy today