Standard Rotary Rushden
At the turn of the century the Boot and Shoe Manufacturers realised that they must get things up to date and make or buy their own machinery.
A building at the bottom of College Street was built by a group of manufacturers, opposite Alfred Street School now the site for the Budgen Supermarket. [now Wilkinsons - 2010]
To get the skilled labour required it was decided to advertise in a trade union journal.
A manager who was also a draughtsman was chosen - Mr. Pickard and he engaged the workers.
The following are the men engaged as I remember them :-
Mr. J. Blunt |
Mr. H. Griffiths |
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Mr. Arthur Summers |
Mr. H. Oxley O.B.E. |
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Mr. W. M. Fletcher |
Mr. C. Miles |
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Mr. F. Bird |
Mr. W. Percival |
all from Birmingham |
Mr. George Wingrove & |
Mr. Rodgers |
from Lincoln |
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Local Men engaged : |
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Bob Pearson |
Charles Pearson |
C. James |
C.Sharpe |
H. S. Wright |
R. Eagles |
A.Loasby |
A.Berrill |
W.Wadsworth |
?. Coleman |
O.Garley |
A.Tompkins |
F. Bailey |
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When the skilled workers arrived in Rushden they brought with them all the tools, lathes, milling machines and they also brought their own Trade Union, the A.E.U. together with the Birmingham District Rate which was 2/- higher than the Northampton Rate.
When the 19l4 war broke out the work was all for munitions.
At the end of the war short time was being worked, Gimson Engineering took over the company the workers still working short time. Eventually the Gimson Co. was taken over by British United Shoe Machinery Co. and the Standard Rotary was closed.
Work was offered to the employees at Leicester, C. Pearson and R. Eagles taking up the offer.
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