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Anne Jagger · 06-10-2016, 17:17

Hi there. This is Anne and I live in East Yorkshire. My mother was from Ossy and worked at the aircraft factory up to December 1941 when she married my father who also worked at the factory. Believe dad was an engineer and mum, an inspector. Just spoken to an Uncle who lives near Blackburn and was told the factory was in Clayton whereas I thought it was the Burnley area. Can anyone tell me if there are any photo's taken in or around the factory, or books written of its history I could purchase. I'm hoping to visit the area this month and would love to see where mum and dad were during the war. Any info would be most welcome and thank you. Anne.

Margaret Pilkington · 06-10-2016, 17:47

I think they would have worked at Bristol Aircraft, which later became English Electric the site is still there, but many of the buildings and sheds have gone. This is in Clayton le moors which is roughly half way between Blackburn and Burnley.
The site is close to the Dunkenhalgh hotel.

Gremlin · 06-10-2016, 18:32

This is the site today Anne, taken from Google maps.
The motorway exit number 7 M62 crosses the Blackburn road straight into the site.
Various business are housed there.

gpick24 · 06-10-2016, 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremlin

This is the site today Anne, taken from Google maps.

The motorway exit number 7 M62 crosses the Blackburn road....

M65

Gremlin · 06-10-2016, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpick24

M65

Correct Gpick. I've used the M62 so much lately it's on my brain.
I use J7 M65 a few times a week as well.
I must lay of the Glayva when I type.

Accyexplorer · 06-10-2016, 20:03

Welcome to the forum Anne,I'm sure you'll be inundated with info,I hope you find what your looking for (try the search bar if you haven't already)

....

....can I remind folk this is the intro section

Margaret Pilkington · 06-10-2016, 20:39

we Know Jason.....maybe it will get moved to questions and answers and then we won't be in the do-do

Retlaw · 06-10-2016, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anne Jagger

Hi there. This is Anne and I live in East Yorkshire. My mother was from Ossy and worked at the aircraft factory up to December 1941 when she married my father who also worked at the factory. Believe dad was an engineer and mum, an inspector. Just spoken to an Uncle who lives near Blackburn and was told the factory was in Clayton whereas I thought it was the Burnley area. Can anyone tell me if there are any photo's taken in or around the factory, or books written of its history I could purchase. I'm hoping to visit the area this month and would love to see where mum and dad were during the war. Any info would be most welcome and thank you. Anne.

Hi Anne.
My Father started at Bristol in 1939 just after the factory was opened, he was a machine setter, the factory produced Bristol Radial Engines, I doubt you will find many photos, it was a Government Factory, cameras were not allowed, I remember father telling me of an accident, and a draughtsnmn had to make drawings
of it, again cameras were'nt allowed. They did have an open day towards the end of the war when relatives of the workers were given guided tours. It was such a big place I don't remember much of it. I did work there myself for a short time in 1952 when it was English Electric. There is a museum in Scotland that has several Bristol Radial Engines, some of them are cut aways to show the workings, can't remember now just where abouts the museum was

maxthecollie · 07-10-2016, 07:00

Welcome to the nuthouse

Bob Dobson · 07-10-2016, 08:58

There has been a book about Lancashire airfields but none about the aircraft industry so far as I am aware. A man called John Shorrocks has just written a book about the Preston firm of Dick, Kerr & Co I will be seeing him soon and will ask if he is aware of any Bristol material. He is now researching English Electric. My dad worked there and called it English Elastic. On the site now is an organisation which acts as an umbrella for all aircraft firms in North West. Maybe you should call on them.

yerself · 07-10-2016, 10:20

Here's an article from the Lanashire Telegraph about the proposed development of the former Bristol/English Electric site, There's a photo which will give you an idea of the size of the site.

Former factory off the M65 to be transformed into industrial and commercial park - creating 500 jobs (From Lancashire Telegraph)

cashman · 07-10-2016, 10:50

Welcome to the forum, hope yeh find the info yer after.

Eric · 08-10-2016, 17:27

Hi hon ... welcome/bienvenue to AccyWeb international. English Electric was most definitely in Clayton. My dad worked there in the 50s, and we lived on Rishton Rd. right at the bottom of Charles St. I remember all the workers with their bait boxes coming down the street at knocking off time. Good luck with your quest.

mallard · 09-10-2016, 19:26

welcome

Turtle · 09-10-2016, 21:07

Welcome to Accy Web