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9. Sporting and Social Life
James Gibbons was a family owned firm and
there was a strong sense of family within the firm. People not
only worked together but played together. The Sports and Social Clubs gave
pleasure to
thousands over the years. The old folks Christmas party,
children's parties, retirement parties, awards for service
functions, and many other social occasions all reinforced the sense
of belonging to a family and did much to create long standing friendships
forged over the years. Soldiers
of a Regiment will remember their mates who served with them;
workers were no different in that regard in those earlier days
of working together, then playing together in the same works league football
team or net-ball team.
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The retirement party of
Mr. Brentnall, Senior Director. |
| The party was held in the
Sports and Social Club on Birmingham New Road. |
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A third scene from the
party. |
| A somewhat less
dignified occasion was this Foremen's Outing to the Thames
at Windsor. |
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In the Crossing the Line
ceremony King Neptune was Don Stokes, Ernie Bayliss was Queen Neptune,
I was the Demon Barber and Cyril Bratt was the victim. |
| This is an earlier bit
of fun, from some time in the 1930s. The Lettemburn
Fire Brigade was a Gibbons float for the Royal Hospital
Carnival which raised money for the (pre-NHS) hospital.
The photo was possibly taken at the
Church Lane end of Nelson Street - note the old factory and
workshops across the Lane. |
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People were remembered
long after they had retired from active participation in the
company. This book, which listed every employee in the
company, was presented to Mr. F. J. J. Gibbons, along with a
present, on his 80th birthday in 1942. A large
delegation went to his house. The event got a long
write up in the local paper. |
| The Children's Christmas
Party, 17th December 1960. The party was usually held
in the works' canteen but it had just been altered and a new
venue was found at the Graiseley Girl's Secondary Modern
School - and was thought to be a great improvement. |
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A somewhat more
dignified occasion - the Machine Shop Dinner, probably
sometime in the late 1950s. |
| These are just some of
the members of the 25 Year Club - a club for those who had
served the company for more than 25 years. |
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Many served more than 25
years and there was always a function to celebrate such
achievements. Here a presentation is made to Ernest
Bayliss at a 40 Year Awards function. |
| Ben Madelin at his award
ceremony. |
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And here Ben supervises
the cutting of a cake - possibly the wedding cake of the
couple shown. |
| Mr. O'Higgins'
Chairman's Party, held at a venue in Birmingham. (Mr.
O'Higgins is dead centre of the front row) |
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The London Office also
had their events. This one marked the retirement of
the London office chauffeur. |
| Going back a bit in
time, this was the staff dance in 1938. It was held in
Beatties restaurant. |
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These events were held at many venues.
This is the retirement of a director, Fred Hall. The
venue is Purslow Hall, Shrops, which was Paul Gibbons' house
after he moved from Brook House. |
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