Page 7 - SPR

Our Gallery

I wonder just how many of these have survived. This is a clocking in card from August 1964, place it in the clock and pull the handle and it stamped the time on the card.----In those days the works was on a day shift that had one and a quarter hours as a lunch break. From 12am to 1.15pm.-------- For the weeks work, the card shows full days and overtime and also four and a half hours on the Saturday. Take home pay £15.6s.10pence. The red 'S' on each day meant that the Printing Machine spray had been used on the sheets of paper and there was an entitlement to an extra 1 shilling (10p) that day to buy a pint of milk to counteract the effects of the powder or liquid spray on ones insides. Why does it survive? -----------The time calculations, were written in by the most lovely girl ever to work at Staples Rochester. A clue to whom, may be found on page 3 of the pictures.

This picture was taken one week after the closure of Staples Rochester. It shows me Geof Curtis, at the Bodmin Branch M.P.G.Books. Working at the branch for a couple of weeks helping to improve the performance of the printing machines, proved to be a very interesting time.This picture was taken one week after the closure of Staples Rochester. It shows me Geof Curtis, at the Bodmin Branch M.P.G.Books. Working at the branch for a couple of weeks helping to improve the performance of the printing machines, proved to be a very interesting time.

Another old 'treasure'. This is one of the first Imposition Books Staples produced and it has a name in it, 'Len'. ----------------that is bound to be Len Williams.

This is a great picture of Martyn Whale. He served his apprenticeship at the Medway City Estate site and became a first class folder operator and finisher. he was living near Auckland in N.Z, at that time, with his wife Amy, where he continued in the trade. They later returned to live in the U.K. This picture was taken on Y Garn, 947 mtrs above sea level on the Glyderau Range in Snowdonia National Park in Wales.-------------picture by David Neale.

Tracy Link on the left, then Delysa Nicholls and Paul Starling 'knocking up' work from the stitcher gatherer delivery, with Val Marchant behind Paul Starling and Ellis (Jeff ) Jones in the background ground with a pallet truck. Taken in the bindery area at the Medway City Estate works. probably 1990s.

A Staples pay slip from September 1976. Bit more money earned with this one, with those years on.

Possibly the childrens party 1971. on the left of the picture is Tony Styles with his two sons, in the centre is Len Williams and his two daughters and on the right is Dave Buckingham and daughter. -------photo courtesy of Dave Buckingham.

This picture, sent in by John Turner is an interesting one in that it shows a get together before the event, of the people organising and manning the checkpoints on the Bredgar Motor rally shown on page 3. It was a transition stage between the L.T.U., C.I.D.A. and the Social Club. So the people shown were not all Staples staff.--------You can find out about this on page 6.------- Left of picture is Malcome Castle, then Gloria Curtis with Sue Turner in front. Then Brian Curtis at the back, with next to him I thought Phil Henry. However Phil contacted us saying that it is not him. Strangely another name has sprung to my mind with no apparent reason and that is Paul Archer. --Janice Pett is next, Geof Curtis at the back with wife Sylvia in front and John Turner disappearing into a pint mug. Ken Morrist took the photo. John thinks the picture was taken at my house--- but I think it was at John's. GTC

A picture taken very early in the 60s on the 'Backfields' by Love Lane. On the left of the picture (which was sent in by John Turner) is Pat Reid, in the middle, the ever bubbly Berylin Gash and we are not certain about the lad on the right.

Another picture supplied by John Turner.-------- Taken, we think, in the Platen Room at Love Lane. On the left of the picture is Rose Wigley who was a machine assistant for the room, helping with the washing up of the machines etc. In the centre is Berylin Gash, up from the Bindery, and the Machine Minder with them is William (Bill) Lawrence. The picture was taken between 10am - 10.30am or 2pm - 2.30pm., because they were the only times during the day that one was allowed to smoke and Rose has a fag on.

Picture sent in by John Turner. Social club presentation at the Mountbatten Club Chatham, on the left of picture is Brian Wedlake, then Gerald Keane, John Turner, Ken Morrist, Geof Curtis, Les Robotham, Len Williams and Charlie Waghorne.

An old P60 from 1969-70-- OVER ONE THOUSAND POUNDS EARNED IN A YEAR----WOW!

Two original tickets from the childrens outing -December 1963. It is amazing how these things survive. The names written on the back of the tickets are S Cuthbert, (Johnny Cuthbert worked in the Comp Room) and ? Pocock, (Ossie Pocock worked in the Machine Room). The coach left for London from outside the Coopers Arms, full of children with a handfull of workers as helpers.

A good Knees up. This picture from Mary Howes, shows herself and Nobby on the left of scene, then Ken Turner, Ian Cooper, Peter Simmons, then Mrs Starling with Dave Starling next to her and Doug Drake peeping round the side. This was taken at one of the works dances.

Picture from Mary Howes-- Husband Norman (Nobby) in his favourite task as Commercial Manager, --writing cheques and spending the company's money.

A piece of original paper- make- up art work that has survived from the 'Sheppy Experiences'. Sent in by Mary Howes, it remembers when Nobby manned one of the check points on this very popular event organised by Ron Honess.

Picture sent in by Mary Howes. It shows Nobby and her at their wedding. With Peter Simmons on the left of the picture, Angela Petley between them and Dave Starling on the right.-------- What a lovely photo.

Picture sent in by Alan Southworth. It shows some of the Bindery staff at Christmas probably in the 1960s. On the left of the picture is Bob Warren, then Graham Smith, Terry Hedges, Lou Blackman and Dave Southworth. Lou, who was the boiler man, was the brother of Nellie who worked in the canteen. At one time he got rather irate when some of the younger lads nick-named him "Captain Pugwash".

Picture from Alan Southworth. Probably from the 1960s. On the left of picture is Sylvia Whitnell, then Maureen Wheedon, Wendy Hicks, Joan Martin, George Vinten, Jenny Whitehead with Phyllis Day in front and Christine Arlett.