codger
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by codger on Jul 29, 2008 13:47:47 GMT -1
I worked the Gas Board until the mid-seventies, with some real characters who taught me the value of precious metals like lead from the joints between gas mains, and brass taps from inside the houses when we cut off whole streets due to compulsory purchase (spit) We only needed enough to get a weigh-in and our latch-lifter got us our first round in. Making our merry way to the VC club (railwaymens) at Victoria Station which opened at 4pm instaead of whileing away the hours until normal pubs opened at 5.30pm. If I remember rightly the bitter was still only about half-crown a pint, and we had to cross underneath the road to use the station toilets, frequented by certain unsavoury characters furtively staring either towards you or the brown tiled walls. I also remember weighing some brass taps in one Saturday morning in Red Bank metals on Dantzic Street, and being questioned by two policemen who were sat in the scrapyard offices. It all became clear why they wanted to know my whereabouts on a certain day when they showed me a photofit of a MURDER suspect who looked amazingly like me, viva Zapata moustache and all. Luckily the landlady from the New Inn, West Gorton backed up my story and only just a few weeks ago the murder was resurrected by the cold case team, scary!.
My house on Dalkeith Street, Gorton, was now due to be demolished under the Compulsory Order scheme(spit) and I moved into Fort Beswick for a few years, and in line with this move was a new job working for Manchester Corporation at Bessemer street depot, only a council job could drag me away from the Gas. Our council edict being " if the shovels haven't arrived by 8.30, then lean on each other" and I soon became one of the world famous 'lost patrol' who could only be found on pay day when the wages van was due round for the off site employees. There were 4 of us and we cleaned graffitti of the walls and subways all around East Manchester, obviously we did nowt because as soon as we cleaned a wall or fence, the next day the artist had been back, thanking us for all of our hard work. Being good local lads we soon realised the error of our ways and found other more important things to do, like snooker or long bus rides on our kids bus, picked up where ever he was that day. We also became members of the local library, it saved on the cost of morning papers, yes I am sorry folks, your rates did pay our never earned wages. Yet, I can look back on those days and chuckle at the many scrapes and escapades we encountered in fighting to avoid doing a honest days toil. Sometimes it would have been easier just getting stuck in, we even made up a song to go along with our task if due a visit from our boss, you see one member brushed on the paint remover, two of us wire-woolled the writing off, and the fourth washed it with a wet sponge. Many a bystander tutted and shook their heads at witnessing this charade, and of course it couldn't last, especially when they decided we had to justify our wage, it was time for a rethink. And so I moved on to getting another job, which believe it or not was as a drayman with Boddingtons Breweries in 1979, then the price of a pint never bothered me............
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Tigger
Senior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by Tigger on Jul 29, 2008 20:21:29 GMT -1
Hiya Codger... This is what I like .....REAL bedtime stories. Reminds me of when ACEEEED the talking Camel made a very brief appearance on this very site.... he wasn't fat or anything.. but some thought he was a little long winded... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D - so he had to lose a little weight so to speak.  |
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codger
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by codger on Jul 30, 2008 10:03:29 GMT -1
Thanks Tigger, its just that when we have tales to tell a little flesh on the bones does no harm. My mother always told me "never hide your light under a bushel" and I am afraid its a phrase i've acceded to all my life. Still if you wish my versions to be abridged then so be it, I use a works computer anyway and my colleagues are always asking what i'm up to. What with writing my book titled " Making a little go a long way" and avoiding work, I have my problems too you know. Your wish is my command.......
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Tigger
Senior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by Tigger on Jul 30, 2008 16:37:24 GMT -1
Your welcome kidder...and keep 'em coming.... Mind you, I think I put the fear of Gawwwd up Admin when I mentioned it (Aceeeed) chugged along to over 25 Chapters.. or something like that. I think they might have been worried about some of the readers gaining cobwebs in awkward places  [psssssst!!... give us the nod - and I'll send you the full uncensorsed highly dubious story of Aceeeed and his merry band of followers] ;D |
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codger
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by codger on Jul 31, 2008 14:23:17 GMT -1
I don't know what Aceeeed is about as I am a new member, but I will take your word for it being a tome of renowned acclaim. I will add to my jobs tale from Boddingtons onward maybe tomorrow or when I get some time. I am just like your good self and have a memory that needs strengthening and stretching now and then, the best way is by recall. I love regaling facts of life in Manchester and its surrounds from the past, memories belong to yourself and if you wish to share them then there isn't much more you can give away. Love the epithet "kidder" my older brother still calls me that.
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Post by Lisa on Jul 31, 2008 15:11:13 GMT -1
Hi Tigger, Nothing puts the fear of God up our Admin Department!!! We're made of tougher things, arent we Alan?  Your welcome kidder...and keep 'em coming.... Mind you, I think I put the fear of Gawwwd up Admin when I mentioned it (Aceeeed) chugged along to over 25 Chapters.. or something like that. I think they might have been worried about some of the readers gaining cobwebs in awkward places [psssssst!!... give us the nod - and I'll send you the full uncensorsed highly dubious story of Aceeeed and his merry band of followers] ;D |
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Tigger
Senior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by Tigger on Aug 3, 2008 8:12:26 GMT -1
Couldn't help noticing the number of 'Clothing' places people worked at... not suprising really as Manchester was once 'King Cotton'.
I recall most of the firms mentioned and remember one that seemed to be all over place in Manchester - SNUGKOAT (yes... with a 'K').. anyone any memories of that firm ??
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Post by Lisa on Aug 4, 2008 4:54:31 GMT -1
Tigger, With your mine of information, I wonder if you ever recall a Cotton manufacturer called CHADWICKS OF OLDHAM? I used to work as a receptionist in their sales office in Spring Gardens/Fountain Street, Manchester but cant find any mention of them on the Internet. Their Mill was in Oldham and every month we got the pick of the samples that the reps no longer required - hence I was forever making dresses out of their wonderful material. The best material they produced was Sea Island Cotton - anyone heard of it?
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codger
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by codger on Aug 12, 2008 10:57:30 GMT -1
Boddingtons was probably a defining point in my life, it was hard work from day one when I joined in 1979 as a 'Womble' (cleaner) but well remunerated, a fact that helped me achieve some of the goals I had set myself. My first task was working in the barrel wash alongside a bloke called 'Deansgate Bill' who was a character from Manchester's past and looked it with his flat nose, large physique and an unkind word for everybody. No matter who passed our workplace and said good morning to Bill, he was classed as a " no-good b*****d" and I must admit I laughed and laughed because noboody escaped. Boddies was fun due to the fact that everybody had a nickname and at the end of every day nearly everyboddy was p****d, inducing some really comical confrontations between workers and management. I made my way up to cellar-rat and then on to stillager/mate on the drays, I was the one that went down the 'drop' and pushed all the empties out and put all the fresh stuff in. Some of the nick- names I remember were, 'the otter (prominent front teeth) one-eater, (one front tooth) mad-dog, the ayatollah and king rat, (both union men) Whitefield Jack, cyclops, (one eye), electric-lips, Jack-the -hat (bald so never took his hat off) Corkscrew, the Dog, Mr Wonderful, the big Paddy, the Nerve, Harry the Snap, Biffo (big idle fat f****** object), Wingy (one-arm), Billy yap-yap, the Colonel (ex-army), Captain Marvel (scout-leader), George the head, the Night-shift (dray crew that stayed out until all hours drinking), Belfast John, Green Giant, the Skunk( self-explanatory), Bullneck, Budgie, Droogie, Billy the crowd,and many many more. It was a joy to go to work, if you worked inside the brewery you were allowed 3 free pints a day, morning brew, lunchtime and evening when clocked out. On the drays you were offered beer or cigs at every drop (pub) and after 10 years and I was made redundant, it was a blessing in disguise. My liver only slowly started to recover, and many of the old school that worked there for years had problems due to long-term alcohol abuse, sad! then my next port of call was Smithfield Markets in Openshaw.....
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Tigger
Senior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by Tigger on Aug 14, 2008 9:34:46 GMT -1
Tigger, With your mine of information, I wonder if you ever recall a Cotton manufacturer called CHADWICKS OF OLDHAM? I used to work as a receptionist in their sales office in Spring Gardens/Fountain Street, Manchester but cant find any mention of them on the Internet. Their Mill was in Oldham and every month we got the pick of the samples that the reps no longer required - hence I was forever making dresses out of their wonderful material. The best material they produced was Sea Island Cotton - anyone heard of it? Cannot find a 'Dikky bird' of a connection... lots of stuff about the name of Chadwick such as - originating in a 'hamlet' in Rochdale. This, no doubt had some bearing for the vast number of Chadwicks who were connected with the cotton industry as spinners, doffers etc etc [tigger].Couldn't find any comany using that name in either Fountain or Spring Gardens within the business journals of the 1950's-1970's. Though there was a local cotton mill owner called Edwin Chadwick who later became a famous man stood for and implimented social and sanitary reform in England. Codger... I certainly remember the stories that used to come out of the Boddies Brewery... some of 'em were flippin' scary as well... ;D ;D. By the way.... they called it 'The Cream Of Manchester'... and yet it originated from SALFORD. |
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codger
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by codger on Aug 14, 2008 10:37:49 GMT -1
Tigger, the address was Bridge Street, Manchester and the brewery was built over an Artesian Well just on the border in the 19th Century to escape Manchesters taxes, thats why it used to be a cheap pint.
Aren't you the pernicketty one!!
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Tigger
Senior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by Tigger on Aug 14, 2008 14:14:41 GMT -1
Tigger, the address was Bridge Street, Manchester and the brewery was built over an Artesian Well just on the border in the 19th Century to escape Manchesters taxes, thats why it used to be a cheap pint. Aren't you the pernicketty one!! ;D ;D..[ as Tigger whistles 'Dixie'].... and heres another bone of contention.... did you know that Manchester was once in... Salfordshire... [ I can see the Mancs cringing and ahgast at the thought - but its TRUE]... [Tigger now makes a discreet about turn and scarpers back into the jungle.....laughing his paws off] |
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codger
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by codger on Aug 14, 2008 14:29:56 GMT -1
I have no qualms about being allied to or living in Salfordshire, as you so quaintly put it. My real bone of contention is that I am a Lancastrian first and foremost, my flower is the Red Rose (remember Red Rose Ales?) and that Manchester is my place of birth. I am one of 14 children of whom 11 are Scottish, so the fact that at one time Manc was in Salf is of no significance. So come out of the jungle tigger, remember, when you are hungry, you don't worry about boundaries, just that fresh meal idly walking by.
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Tigger
Senior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by Tigger on Aug 14, 2008 19:44:57 GMT -1
Gawwwwwd... Red Rose Ales... now THERES a memory jerker for ya (to whet your lips at). ahhh.... not so much 'quaintly' as 'factually'... but tis a mere twinkling in time (like 700 years ago)... though to here some talk you would think there was a war of attrition (still) going on between the two ‘townships’. Hmmm… I like it in the jungle… its quiet – restful…. except at meal times.... d**n... run out out 'tooth picks' again ;D ;D
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Post by roofingman on Aug 16, 2008 16:00:08 GMT -1
Hi Guys.Re Boddingons.I loved reading about all your jobs in Manchester.....Red Rose ales was Groves and Whitnalls.....I worked mostly in the Manchester carpet trade, warehouses etc...and went to Chicago at the age of 22 in 1964.....I have worked for the same employer ever since in Nth America still in the carpet trade..I get back to Manctr about 3 times a year...In Sept I,m organising a little get together for school pals in Stockport--Our old school was Moseley Rd in Fallowfield and we have an active website run from Oz.................Back to Boddingtons,,I get to Las vegas a lot, next trip on Aug 31.....There is a great English pub called the Crown and Anchor across from the Liberace museum.....7 English ales on draught....Bass and Boddingtons bitter runs at 2 pound a pint---not bad Eh..??......................Ian....Vancouver...
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Tigger
Senior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by Tigger on Aug 17, 2008 15:30:55 GMT -1
There is a great English pub called the Crown and Anchor across from the Liberace museum.....7 English ales on draught....Bass and Boddingtons bitter runs at 2 pound a pint---not bad Eh..??......................Ian....Vancouver... Hi Ian, Been to LV twice... both for dancing .. gawwwd... I missed the Crown & Anchor both times... BMI Baby do direct flight to LV from £350... right lads... who's on for a night out... ;D ;D ;D. Now... if they do Bass... they just might do Worthington E - now THERES a drink and a half. |
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codger
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by codger on Aug 18, 2008 10:24:06 GMT -1
When first married I worked an extra job as a waiter in the Palm Court, Belle Vue. A couple who came in every night sat and drank 4 bottles of Worthy E every order, the cost was 16 shillings and the tip was keep the change from a pound note. Hence a battle to serve them and eventually we had a roster so we could all share in the good tips.
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Tigger
Senior Member
Posts: 332
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Post by Tigger on Aug 18, 2008 16:47:38 GMT -1
When first married I worked an extra job as a waiter in the Palm Court, Belle Vue. A couple who came in every night sat and drank 4 bottles of Worthy E every order, the cost was 16 shillings and the tip was keep the change from a pound note. Hence a battle to serve them and eventually we had a roster so we could all share in the good tips. Wellll... there ya go folks...... "WORTHINGTON E... brings out the beast... ;D..best in you" |
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Post by Barbara on Sept 7, 2008 12:26:48 GMT -1
My first job in 1962 was at the old C.I.S building in Deansgate before they moved to the big skyscraper! My dad passed away that year but he had worked at Wilsons Brewery, my mother had worked at the Neva and Cromer mills. Any mill, brewery, or C.I.S. workers out there.
This is my first post:)
Barbara
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Post by lin on Sept 7, 2008 15:35:54 GMT -1
HI BARBARA WELCOME TO MANMATES  |
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Post by catherine on Sept 7, 2008 16:11:40 GMT -1
Hello Barbara, and welcome to manmates, I'm sure you'll enjoy being here, I hope you find someone whose worked at the places you've mentioned. Cath |
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Post by Barbara on Sept 7, 2008 19:16:04 GMT -1
HI BARBARA WELCOME TO MANMATES |
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Post by Barbara on Sept 7, 2008 19:24:12 GMT -1
Hello Lin, Catherine: It is so nice to be here ;D I am in Atlanta, Georgia USA but miss Manchester and it's people. I won't go into too much detail as i am not sure I got this reply correct. We shall see  Barbara |
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Post by OLLY on Sept 8, 2008 3:02:23 GMT -1
HIYA BARBARA........ .........AND WELCOME TO MANMATES...... YOU WILL SOON GET USED TO THE WORKINGS OF THE SITE...... AND YOU WILL SEE THE INTRO AND HELLO BOARD...... ;D ;D ANY QUESTIONS ON USING THE SITE JUST ASK ...... ;D......YOU WILL GET HELP OFF THE MEMBERS......... ;D ;D |
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Post by june on Sept 8, 2008 5:07:15 GMT -1
hello Barbara and welcome to a great site ,look forward to seeing you around |
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Post by lin on Sept 8, 2008 5:59:46 GMT -1
Hello Lin, Catherine: It is so nice to be here ;D I am in Atlanta, Georgia USA but miss Manchester and it's people. I won't go into too much detail as i am not sure I got this reply correct. We shall see Barbara HI BARBARA....HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN GEORGIA? I'M OFF TO MANCHESTER MYSELF IN OCTOBER TO SEE FRIENDS...I LIVE IN CORNWALL MYSELF, MY BROTHER WHO IS ALSO ON MANMATES LIVES IN DEVON....HOPE YOU ENJOY BROWSING AROUND ON HERE AND JOINING IN WITH SOME OF THE CHATS. |
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Post by june on Sept 15, 2008 5:51:43 GMT -1
a once worked in a dry cleaners on rochdale rd nr queens rd called Allens ..think there all gone now .. did a bit at Johnsons the cleaners in Midd before the Arndale was built ..from there went to trade works in miles platting they did a bit of everything from addressing envolopes to making B/day cards and boxes ...had a few more ..after the kids were born did mostly cleaning jobs as Ray came home at night i went out to work ;D ships that pass in the nite ;D
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Post by Barbara on Sept 19, 2008 2:05:00 GMT -1
Hello Lyn, everyone. Well here I am bet you thought I got lost? still don't think I have this thing right or if my reply goes to you Lin. Anyway I have lived in Atlanta for almost 7 years now. Atlanta is growing so fast all these high rises, the traffic is so conjested already that there is not enough road to house all these people, traffic can drive you nuts if you let it  still I like it here. I lived in New Jersey just 50 miles from New York City for over 30 years. I do miss New York City just an hour on the train always plenty to do and a exciting place, to fill you in on New York will take a book so I will move on. I lived in Harpurhey, Yeah!!!!!!! until I was 15 then moved to Langley Estate (if I say that here they think it was an Estate) so I just leave it at that ;D Anyway, it's 11:00pm here 4am in Manchester so I will leave off and will be in touch again....soon. Hoping everyone is well.. Cheers Barbara |
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Post by Lisa on Sept 19, 2008 6:01:49 GMT -1
Hi Barbara, Great to hear your news from Atlanta. Seems we have the same problem over here with traffic. Manchester is in the process of voting on whether they should ban cars from the City centre - it worked in London and that was a nightmare to drive in the centre - so it should work in Manchester providing they improve the public transport. Keep us posted of your news Barbara - its always nice to hear news from over there.
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Post by jnealedroylsden on Sept 19, 2008 6:04:04 GMT -1
Hello Lyn, everyone. Well here I am bet you thought I got lost? still don't think I have this thing right or if my reply goes to you Lin. Anyway I have lived in Atlanta for almost 7 years now. Atlanta is growing so fast all these high rises, the traffic is so conjested already that there is not enough road to house all these people, traffic can drive you nuts if you let it still I like it here. I lived in New Jersey just 50 miles from New York City for over 30 years. I do miss New York City just an hour on the train always plenty to do and a exciting place, to fill you in on New York will take a book so I will move on. I lived in Harpurhey, Yeah!!!!!!! until I was 15 then moved to Langley Estate (if I say that here they think it was an Estate) so I just leave it at that ;D Anyway, it's 11:00pm here 4am in Manchester so I will leave off and will be in touch again....soon. Hoping everyone is well.. Cheers Barbara Welcome Barbara....hey Langley I think has cleaned it's act up now and it's not as bad as it used to be .it had a terrible name at one time.....think if you ever came back to visit you would see a BIG change everywhere..........harpurhey not what it used to be.....I live in Droylsden...........and have seen changes all over Manchester ................So glad that you are settled over ther but you must keep in touch with all of us over here so hope you will be on here more often Jean Neale |
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still I like it here. I lived in New Jersey just 50 miles from New York City for over 30 years. I do miss New York City just an hour on the train always plenty to do and a exciting place, to fill you in on New York will take a book so I will move on.