Page 2 - SPR

Our Gallery

Sgt Bilko--- Lorry Cox in his passport photo

1.Ted Fletcher. 2. Arthur Hibbin- 3.-----------4.-------------5.--------------6.Frank Cooper. 7.---------------8. Ron Holt. 9.Eric Langham, 10. Mr O'niell. 11.Frank Salmon??., 12. Mr Letchford Snr. 13. Jim Freeman. 14. Les Robotham.15. Mrs Hudson. 16. Jim (Chic) Ingram.---------17. ---------------- 18-----------------19. A. E. Bacon 20 Bert Clinch. 21.. Bert Neale. 22. A E Bacon. 23. Alf Marsh. 24.------------.25.------------26. George Vinten. 27.------------.28. Wally Woods. 29.Kit Goodhew. 30. Fred Marsh. 31. Reg Letchford. 32. Harry Greenland. 33. Bob Marsh. 34. Lorry Cox. 35------------ 36 Ernie Edwards. 37 Bill Gates. 38 Joan Martin. 39 Maurice Kent. 40. Wally West. 41 Jim Foy. 42. Phil Gunningham If you know better please contact us.

Ken Warren left, Bob Woodlands front, Roy Howe to the right and Lorry Cox extreme right. Who is the lady at the back? I think its Mrs Woodlands.

Bernard Jackson making the tea by the Quad Demy in the machine room at Love Lane. The door at his shoulder, went into a passage that passed the casters and into the Comp Room. I think he was a tank driver in the Army at one time.

The original 'Japanese Lady' given to the Company by JM of Japan on purchasing the Printa X. It stood for many years in the Board Room and at Staples closing, Bill Scott MD., gave it to Geof Curtis, who still has it.

These Sake gift sets were presented to some of the management by JM Printing Machinery on the first run of the Printa X. This one went to Geof Curtis, (who still has it), who at that time was Print Manager.

Staples Social Club did not arrange much in the way of events especially for the younger members. These five people formed what we called CIDA-- the commitee of interdepartmental activities. It was totally undemocratic as only they could vote people on or off of the body. However each one worked at arranging outings, parties and socials which became more and more popular out of working hours. At any meeting under the Chairman Dick Chandler 2nd left of picture and Secretary Geof Curtis 2nd right, each task was allocated to a team member according to what people wanted and off they went and did it. It was not the usual 'talking shop' and people loved it. Later in an amicable way we took over the running of social club events without handling the money. John Collins is on the extreme right and Roy Howe on the extreme left, with Ken Morrist in the centre. Teams were entered into the Medway towns table tennis league, the girls played league netball under Joan Bond, there was a tenpin bowling team under Peter Capon, a football team under Eddie Whitnell and a camera club under Allen Quy. Also a library was organised at lunch times. Perhaps the best of all was the childrens party at Christmas.-- For an insight into CIDA see the 18th on page 6.

Sid Foulds retirement. Sid was a Yorkshireman through and through, his favourite saying was "I know thee". He was deputy overseer in the Machine Room and well respected. From the right of the picture it includes:- Allen Quy, Harry Greenland (overseer) Ron Ambrose,-------=--\ Harry Russell at the back, Ken Morrist and Dudley Rhodes ( who became deputy litho manager) up top. Geof Curtis at the back in front of Harry, who became litho manager/studio manager and production manager, Eric Rosier over Sids shoulder. Then Charlie Costin, THE NEXT TWO GENTLEMEN IN THE FRONT I CAN'T IDENTIFY(but one could be Frank Salmon), Howard Early under Dudleys arm with Malcome Castle on his hand, Jim (Chic) Ingram at the front, next to the striped blazer, with Bernard Jackson behind, then John Turner at the back and Fred Marsh in front of him. Next at the front was Arthur ------? (quite a lad--could get you anything cheap) with Jim Bradford behind and Howard Carey on the end. Howard became deputy overseer then overseer, then left to start his own business.

A Staples Dance (at the Paddock)?? -------MAY 16th 1964 TOP-- Third from the right of the picture is Berylin Gash MIDDLE-- Can you name anyone (apart from Berylin). BOTTOM-- In the background "avin a fag" is Reg Letchford, below him is Marion -----??? and next to her is Audrey Bryant.

TOP---another picture of the dance--Harry Greenland and his wife left of picture with Les Robotham and his wife next to them. BOTTOM--a works dance at the start of the 1960s. Can anyone name anyone????

TOP -- entertaining at the New Yorkers Club in Dartford, on the left of the picture Geof Curtis, then Dave Slater, then Ken Morrist and Roy Howe. All from the Machine Room. Taken about 1975 BOTTOM-- Many years later, an article from Printweek showing the continuing demise of the Martins Printing Group.

Girls in the Yard at Love Lane- can you name one?? picture from Tony Kilbey.

Works notices from 1985.----- From Paul Dixon to Nobby Howes,Tony Styles and Bob candler.

Whatever year this was -- the Machine Room won the Inter Departmental Shield-- left of picture Ron Ambrose, centre, Ken Morrist, right is Allen Quy. About 1964

John Turner left of picture and Ken Morrist receiving a trophy from Les Robotham. I think at that time Les was Chairman of the works social club and overseer of the Comp Room.

The Machine Room celebrating their win by the old Staples van. Ron Ambrose left , who played for the table tennis team, became deputy Machine Room overseer, then overseer. Ken Morrist centre and Allen Quy. Allen went on to run Staples film club.

Dick Carrington receiving the trophy I think for the snooker. It is being presented by Keith Jarrett who was Secretary of the works social club. Looking on and applauding in those smart braces is Jack Foord. Jack was Father of the N.G.A. Chapel for some years.

Keith Jarrett on left of picture presents the shield on behalf of the club to Bernard Jackson, behind, left to right are -------? Ken Warren, Eric Rosier, Jack Harrison and Ossie Pocock.Ossie is leaning on the feeder of one of the Heidelberg Cylinders and behind them all is a letterpress perfector feeder.

This is probably the Machine Room night shift celebrating the winning of the inter departmental trophy. On the right of the picture is Ossie Pocock, next is Bernard Jackson, then the inimitable Jack Harrison. Jack was a really nice guy with a lively personality who had a habit of calling everybody 'Shag'. Eric Rosier holds the shield, then Ken Warren and -----???who is on the left?

The Love Lane Machine Room five a side football team, from the left of the picture---- Ron Ambrose, Eric Rosier, Ken Morrist, Ken Warren and Bernard Jackson. Picture (I think) taken by Keith Jarrett.

Gerald Keane left of picture, Keith Jarrett presenting the trophy and Les Robotham in the background. The concrete King Charles Spaniel wasn't supposed to be in on it. I think this was in the Mountbatten Club next to Chatham Town hall.

Big smiles all round-- left of picture is Steve Howard, then Peter Bucknall both from the Bindery, with Les Robotham doing the presentation.

Gerald Keane has won something for the Comp Room in the Rally and someone is giving him a hand. With him in the picture is Janice Pett from the Bindery who had helped in the organisation of the event. She later married Ken Morrist.

Here is Ken Morrist and myself having organised and enjoyed the motor rally. One morning at Love Lane a young lad came walking down the yard asking if I knew who he should report to. Strangely it was me he wanted as I was overseeing his training at the start. That was the first time I met Ken. He started his apprenticeship in the Platen room. Later when the works social club developed into CIDA., he was in the forefront of the organising. He and I were involved in a lot of events during the ensuing years.----- Geof. Picture by John Turner