THIS TAPE HAS BEEN RECORDED ON APRIL 14TH 1980 AT 2 CRABTREE BUILDINGS, BURY ROAD, RAWTENSTALL. THE INFORMANT IS GEORGE PICKUP, SCUTCHER. THE INTERVIEWER IS MARY HUNTER.
Now, we were just talking about the Derby Doubler George I think.
R- Yes.
And we are now looking at picture number 30. That's right, we were talking about the stopping and starting bars.
R - Stopping and starting bars yes.
Now, when I have seen that machine working it seems to be stopping a lot why is that?
R - Probably they've used all their cans up, there is so many cans at each side and probably the cans on the Doublers got empty and they've been replaced for the full ones and then they'll be waiting for the next set of full cans to come out.
(50)
Did it stop automatically then when there wasn't any roving going through?
R - Yes.
And then how do you piece it up when you're starting a new one on?
R - You shove the new can under just through the, there's a hole there all along.
A hole? Yes.
R - Then just shove the roving through and it takes it in itself then.
Then if it doesn't take it in properly that must have been when I’ve seen it stopping and starting then.
R- Probably
This stack of….
R- Doubler laps.
These laps are from the doubler waiting to go on the finishing cards are they?
R - Yes, on to the finishing cards.
And those machines on the left of the picture are the breaker cards are they?
R- No, those is the finishing cards.
Oh are they?
R- Yes, and those are the laps that go on them.
And on number 31 you can see the front end of the…
R- The doubler, yes.
And underneath that guard wire, which is the same sort of guard that you have on the scutcher…
R- Similar, yes.
Is there a bobbin, a lap building up?
R- That’s right, yes.
How long does it take one of them to build up?
R- I should say about five to six minutes.
Is that all?
R- If all the cans are full and it’s kept going without any ends being broken.
And the metal supports at the front of the machine?
R - Stands yes.
What’s that for?
R – That’s for to rest a lap on when it comes out.
When you are getting it out. It’s a good view of the shed that.
R- Yes it is.
What happens on the next one? I think it's finished there isn’t it? The machines at the back of the Derby Doubler, on 31, what are those?
R - Breaker cards.
Those are the breaker cards are they? And that's the process before the Derby Doubler.
R - That's right, yes.
And .. so it goes from, from the scutcher to the breaker cards.
R - Yes. Then from the breaker cards to the Doubler.
Yes. And then from the Doubler to the finishing cards.
R- Finishing cards,
And then from there up to the .. spinning
R- Up to the spinning department.
I just thought before we’d finish George that we ought to let you have a look at number 95. Now, what's going on there?
R - At Dinner break.
Where was this photograph taken?
R - In the canteen at dinner break, us dinner break. We always liked to go in for us dinner and then after have a smoke and a game of dominoes. Some of the other chaps liked a game of cards, but we always used to have us a game of dominoes.
(5 min)(150)
I notice you got on the table with all the ladies George.
R - Oh, I don’t bother. We used to enjoy us games of dominoes.
Did you play for money?
R - Oh yes. Started playing for nothing at the beginning and then Pat decided to play for five pence.
Pat’s the one in the middle isn’t she.
R- Yes. So we started playing for five pence.
What sort of things did you have for your lunch?
R - All sorts, sometimes there were chips and meat pie and beans and different dinners like. Sometimes you could have egg on toast and ...
You had your dinner there did you? You didn't take it with you.
R- Sometimes I used to take mine.
Yes. And let's think that's there many a joke exchanged hands
R - In the canteen, yes.
Just before we finish I think it would be good to report for posterity on the references you had George when you left. You’ve got two there, haven't you?
R- Yes.
And who are they from?
R - One from Mr Roy Tomlinson.
Was he the manager?
R - He was the manager at our mill.
At Spring Vale yes.
R - Spring Vale. Have I to read…?
Yes.
R - To whom it may concern. Mr George Pickup of 2 Crabtree Buildings, Bury Road, Rawtenstall, has been working with our company as a scutcher winder
since April 1971. The department in which he works is closing with the regrettable result that he is being made redundant. Since he started work with us he has proved himself to be a loyal and hard working employee who attended work regularly. He is in the best of health and his duties involve strength and physical work. We wish him good fortune in the future knowing that he will be a credit to any future employer.
Well you can’t do much better than that, can you George.
(250)
R - No.
And who in the other one from?
R - And the second ... what they call these
References?
R- Second reference is from the Personnel Director David Hardman. To whom it may concern. Mr G Pickup has worked with our company since April 1971 as a grinder (which should be scutcher tenter). It is with the utmost regret that we are compelled to make him redundant along with most of the other people who work at our Spring Vale Mill. He has shown himself to be a person of considerable ability who can be relied upon to work diligently with a minimum of supervision but maximum pride in his work. His attendance and time keeping have been exemplary and his honesty and integrity beyond doubt. In spite of mature years he has enjoyed good health and can carry out normal physical work if necessary. Good working
relationships with his colleagues have also been enjoyed because of his pleasant disposition. When I say the major considerations when recruiting employees is of course their past loyalty and willingness to work hard and adapt. We have complete confidence that he will continue to show these qualities in any future employment as he has in the past. Our best wishes go with him for his future success and happiness.
(300)
David’s father is the Managing Director, Richard Hardman isn’t he?
R- Yes, Richard Hardman.
Well thank you very much George.
SCG/29 June 2003
1,187 words.