Dinky/Meccano

[John(Zappa)]

Anyone got any pictures of "The world famous" Meccano factory at Binns road? Any photo's of the workers wanted as my mother was one of em'.
With thanx
:snf (41):

[lindylou]

My mum used to work there too. Many years ago when I was a baby.
Havn't got any photos though.

[Kev]

Try here (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4286)

Hope that helps :PDT11

[robbo176]

my mum worked there before I was born,she used to put Lady Penelope into her pink Rolls Royce :PDT11

[Cadfael]

My late pop used to work at Meccano too in Binns Road. We've lots of Meccano related stuff still in the house which I'll never get rid of!

[Ged]

I think you are all nuts.

[Cadfael]

I think you are all nuts.

'Bolt' up eh Ged :PDT_Xtremez_42::PDT10

[John(Zappa)]

My mum used to work there too. Many years ago when I was a baby.
Havn't got any photos though.

Let's see if we can get some stuff about the workers.
Photo's etc.
John

[Store 3]

I worked at meccano for 10 years, sorry i do not have any photo,s
but i do remember the workers & some of the office staff. i used to
run round on one of the electric trucks.....it was a very sad day when
it closed....... i still remember it........:)

[Kev]

Thanks and a big welcome, maybe u can recall some of these memories for us? :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[Store 3]

sorry john .. i remember buying raffle tickets but who sold them i can,t remember. what is her name......

[tricia w]

Does anyone remember any of the girls off the packing department,of which i was one,i also remember allan and david who used to fix the machines when they broke down.My father in law also worked in the die cast room.

[John(Zappa)]

My mum used to run the raffles and the christmas bingo, spot the ball and catalogues.
I can remember all the avon orders too.
Her name was ELLA .Anyone remember her ?

[Store 3]

hi, john did ella know edna griffiths who worked in the plastic dept...

[John(Zappa)]

Store 3...
my mum knew most of the women.I wouldnt know who exactly.I do have a few pics somewhere which shows some of the women on the assembley line.
I remember there being an Edna who took me to my first Everton footy match in the 70's.Nice crazy woman.

[Store 3]

tricia. was it meccano packing you worked in if so you might remember doris who was friendly with tommy the van driver...

[Store 3]

anybody remember lou brunt who worked in the electrical department with sid jackson............she was my aunty...

[Soreofhing]

I never had a Meccano set. Father Christmas brought me a Trix set and I used that for years until I moved out and it was donated to some lucky kid.
When my son was 11 I bought him a nice Meccano set which he never used so now that he is married and out of the house I have a Meccano set to play with at last.
Rob

[tricia w]

tricia. was it meccano packing you worked in if so you might remember doris who was friendly with tommy the van driver...

I can remember a Doris, but i dont know if its the same one , our supervisor was Violet another girl called Pam,we used to supply the girls on the lines with all the boxes (cushy job)

[julieoapw]

At the St Georges Hall history, there was a talk by someone who had written a book on Meccano which was very interesting. I guess the book might have some pictures in it.
Here's the amzon write-up but I've seen it in Liverpool shops too:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Factory-Dreams-Kenneth-Brown/dp/1905472080

[Store 3]

tricia, did you work with a disabled girl called Ruth.........
the meccano stores was run by Alf Green............i think your main supervisor
was May Harding who was incharge of the packing dept as i remember.

[John(Zappa)]

Names I recall my mum talking about are....
Josie Dunn and Evelyn ? and Pat Jones.

[Store 3]

john,...yes i remember josie she retired not long after i started in the stores
the year was 1966 the year we won the world cup....

[John(Zappa)]

Store 3
Well Josie was always with my mum.They used to come home together with a booty full of goodies.
:handclap:

[Ged]

I've inherited a few dozen of these.

[Howie]

See Dinky Toys's profile on MySpace here (http://www.myspace.com/dinkytoy)... :)

[Ged]

Nice link. I've got hundreds of Matchbox, Dinky and Corgi vehicles, some from the 1970s on my model above. Without the original boxes though, they're not worth that much (who kept the boxes, not many) - sentimental value though, had some great times with them as a 30 year old :)

[Andyman7]

Hi all - I've been researching bits and pieces on and off to try and put together the untold story of Meccano and Dinky Toys. The one area that there seems to be very little documentation on is about the closure of the factory in 1979. I realise that for those that remember it this is still likely to be a sensitive subject, but no-one's getting any younger and it would be good to get some first hand accounts from people that were there.
The bare facts that I know are that the announcement of the closure was very sudden, I'm not sure whether it was a day or a week's notice but the date of closure was 30 November 1979.
In protest, I understand that there was a factory lock-in, and this lasted several months - though I have no first hand accounts. There are stories I have heard of tooling being damaged, and of the factory being effectively looted but I am concerned that these are all second-hand tales and I think the people that were there should have a chance to say what really happened. Is there anyone that can help the true story of those days in late 1979 and early 1980? Thanks for anyone that posts and can help shed some light on this.

[John(Zappa)]

Andyman 7
My mum worked there then when it was closing down.I still have the poem I wrote at school about it.My mum and teacher wanted it published in the echo but being a shy lad I refused.
Regarding the looting-Well it was "perks of the job".Nobody looted the place.
I have pictures of my mum and some others in Meccano somewhere.
All I knew when I was a kid was Derek Hatton caused it and airfix ruined it.
That was about right I think.
Good luck with your quest.:handclap:

[snappel]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Factory-Dreams-History-Meccano-1901-1979/dp/1905472005/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197842935&sr=1-1

[Steven]

I remember it shutting down. If that was the same one ? At the bottom of Duke street near to Berry street.
I saw a lot of women and men come out crying.

[Degsy_b]

I recently read a book about meccano/ Frank Hornby, called Factory of Dreams, It covered the rise to fame and effect of wartime production and finally its demise. Written by an economist I think? It may be of some interest? I'll try and get an ISBN for the book if you're interested?

Derek

[John(Zappa)]

Here is that poem I done when I was 12 years old that my mum and teacher wanted publishing....

It was friday afternoon
when the news was broke so soon
the Meccano machines had stopped
and all the workers they had flopped

The place has been going for donkey's years
and now all the workers where in floods of tears
It was in the papers and on the telly
that all the workers had got the welly

All the staff they started a sit in
hoping that they wouldn't be beaten
"Airfix fixed us so we'll fix them" all the workers chanted again.

Some of the workers knew they wouldn't win
to be out of work it was a sin.

Now they're collecting "redundancy pay"
to all the workers it was a miserable day.
No more Meccano for anyone
those boring days have yet to come.

The sit in is over and no Meccano no more
how I loved the toys they made and now
it is completely a bore.

[Andyman7]

Thanks for your replies so far - the human side of this is something that I just don't think has ever been properly reflected. This project for me began when I obtained some original advertising artwork from a woman who worked for the ad agency that Meccano used - she and I exchanged several letters and it opened my eyes to the fact that behind all those toys is a human story that can only be recounted whilst those who were part of it are still around.

John (Zappa) - thanks for your reminiscences too. I think perks of the job sums it up - this was people's livelihoods taken away in a fairly brutal fashion. OK, it's unlikely that the factory would still be there today in any case - but other toy companies like Corgi and Matchbox were far more sensitive about how they dealt with the changes and none of them shut a factory overnight.

Also thanks to those who tipped me off about the History of Meccano Ltd book - methinks a trip to Amazon is in order....

[John(Zappa)]

Andy7 you are welcome.
My mum played a major part of the factory.Not only did she work there but she ran the catalogues,Avon,Raffles and any parties.
I do (My brother) have photos of a party and some work going on there.

I recall most of the staff hated Derek Hatton.He did play a big part in getting it closed down.He must of got a good back-hander.I know nothing about the politics of this but to a kid it was Mr Hatton and Airfix that stopped production and caused the misery.:PDT_Xtremez_42:

[hmtmaj]

I just happened to be talking to a friend of mine about two weeks ago who went into all what went on at Meccano, as he was actually a reluctant union rep spokesperson. I can try and get more details off him of events if you like, I see him most nights in a pub in Old Swan.

[John(Zappa)]

I just happened to be talking to a friend of mine about two weeks ago who went into all what went on at Meccano, as he was actually a reluctant union rep spokesperson. I can try and get more details off him of events if you like, I see him most nights in a pub in Old Swan.

Yeah go for it.He will have some interesting info i should imagine:PDT11

[pasha]

my mum worked in meccano for years, my brothers use to get alot of stuff for xmas and birthdays, i have still got a ring she bought me and my sister its about 30 years old

[John(Zappa)]

my mum worked in meccano for years, my brothers use to get alot of stuff for xmas and birthdays, i have still got a ring she bought me and my sister its about 30 years old

Did your mum buy raffle tickets,play bingo or buy from catalogues or Avon?
That was my mums job (haha).
She will have known my mum I think.Any pics or anything?
I will have to get my mums Meccanno pics up.

[pasha]

iv got no old pics of me mum working there sorry yes she probably did buy avon and other items, when she lost her job it seemed like the end of the world but she went on to work in broadgreen hospital laundry as did alot of her friends from meccano
debbie

[Ken Berry]

Hi All,Meccano and Dinky Toy Factory.My Two Aunty's worked their after the War,anyone remember them Dora Fielding (nee Lunt) and Marjorie Buck(nee Lunt).They had some good photos taken by some studio for publicity,A site called Reflections have some for view.I wonder what happened to my four engined Flying Boat,with a Single Engine float plane on top.Best Regards Ken B
ps Just going to have a cool one its 18c and its 11-30pm Phew

[Ged]

In W.H. Smiths.


http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/6278/51hmt4hrwmlaa240mc4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


.

[snappel]

That's soooo 2007 (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showpost.php?p=95467&postcount=30) ;)

[quincyg]

my Nan -Virginia (Jean) Devereux- worked in Meccano in the 50's/60's.

she had a few unboxed dinky toys which she asked me to put on EBay for her a couple of years ago. they made over 300 quid! she was about 88 then and was chuffed to bits.
she says she wishes she'd have kept more instead of handing them out to her grandkids as presents. my cousins all got rid of them.

[xkopite]

Does anyone know what happened to the Meccano sign (think it was in sandstone). Was it destroyed or salvaged?

[ItsaZappathing]

Here's a pic of my mum on one of the machines in Meccano.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa113/itsazappathing/Liverpool%20stuff/CopyofMeccano.jpg

[hmtmaj]

nice pic John :handclap:
Used to walk past the Meccano site every day going to work in the 80's, then it all came tumbling down !

[quincyg]

Here's a pic of my mum on one of the machines in Meccano.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa113/itsazappathing/Liverpool%20stuff/CopyofMeccano.jpg

what year was that Zapps? don't think my Nan has any photos from her time there. I'll ask her though.

[ItsaZappathing]

Quincy - I think it was about 1975-78.

[jimmy]

There was a Meccano factory in Speke, early 60s or their abouts

[quincyg]

Quincy - I think it was about 1975-78.

my Nan had retired by then so she probably wouldn't have known her

[ItsaZappathing]

There was a Meccano factory in Speke, early 60s or their abouts

There was one in Hanson Rd Aintree but when that closed they all moved to Binns Rd.

[M6AJJ]

Wan't the one in Speke in Edwards Lane?

[jimmy]

Thanks M6AJJ, that was the where it was. The factory backed onto the railway line.:)

[ItsaZappathing]

Thanks M6AJJ, that was the where it was. The factory backed onto the railway line.:)

Was that at a later date when it became Airfix after Binns Rd closed down ?

[jimmy]

Hi John found this article, it mayshed some light on the subject.


In 1938 Meccano Ltd launched the 00 gauge Hornby Dublo model railway system, comprising both clockwork and electric train sets. Production continued until 1964.[4]

In 1942 the production of all toys ceased due to wartime legislation and the company switched to manufacturing for the war effort. Despite the heavy bombing of Liverpool during the war, the Binns Road factory was not damaged. The production of Meccano, Dinky Toys and Hornby Dublo slowly resumed after the war in 1945, but was interrupted again in 1950 by the Korean War due to a shortage of metal.[2][4]

In 1960 Meccano Ltd purchased Bayko, a Bakelite building model construction toy, from Plimpton Engineering in Liverpool, and moved all its production to Meccano's factory in Speke, Liverpool. The construction sets were updated and polystyrene was used for all the plastic parts instead of Bakelite. Manufacture of Bayko continued until 1967.[7] Meccano Ltd also manufactured Kemex (chemistry sets) and Elektron (electrical sets).


[edit] Takeovers
By the early 1960s Meccano Ltd began experiencing financial problems, in spite of exports worth over ?1m, and was bought out by Lines Bros Ltd (Tri-ang), Meccano's biggest competitor, in February 1964. This purchase included both the British and French Meccano factories. Sweeping changes were implemented, including the removal from office of the last members of the Hornby family and applying the Hornby name to the Tri-ang plastic trains. In 1970 Lines Brothers changed the company name to Meccano-Tri-ang.[2]

In 1971 the Lines Brothers Tri-ang group went into voluntary liquidation and Meccano-Tri-ang was eventually sold to Airfix industries in 1972, the company name reverting back to Meccano Ltd. At the same time, General Mills, a United States toy manufacturer, purchased the majority of shares of Meccano France S.A., renaming the French company Miro-Meccano.[2]


[edit] The new Meccano
With competition from other manufacturers from around the world and the increasing popularity of television, Meccano Ltd's dominance of the toy market diminished sharply. To cut their losses, Airfix closed Meccano Ltd's flagship Binns Road factory in Liverpool in November 1979, bringing to an end three-quarters of a century of British toy making. The manufacture of Meccano, however, still continued in France. Airfix were eventually liquidated two years later and in 1981 General Mills purchased Meccano Ltd UK, giving it complete control of the Meccano franchise. It shifted all Meccano and Airfix operations to France and completely revamped the Miro-Meccano construction sets.[2][3]

In August 1985 French accountant Marc Rebibo bought Miro-Meccano from General Mills, reverted the French company name back to Meccano S.A. and reintroduced some of the discontinued Meccano sets. In 1989 Rebibo was bought out by Finamec (Financi?re de Serbie), who continued the manufacture of Meccano in France. In 1990 Meccano France purchased the "Erector" trademark in the U.S.A. and started selling Meccano sets marked "Erector Meccano" in the U.S.A.[2][3]

By 2000 Meccano France was faltering and was bought out in May 2000 by the Japanese toy company, Nikko, who continue to manufacture Meccano sets in France and China, although very different from the Meccano originally manufactured by the Binns Road factory.[2]

[Ged]

Well found Jimmy, very informative. I was very lucky having Lego, Meccano and airfix models throughout my childhood, oh and dozens of Matchbox, Corgi and Dinky vehicles.

[ItsaZappathing]

Well found Jimmy, very informative. .
Ditto. Nice one Jimmy:handclap:

[ItsaZappathing]

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa113/itsazappathing/Liverpool%20stuff/DSC01597.jpg

Taken during the Meccano strike.

[pablo42]

Nice one Zap.

[Cadfael]

My late dad on a Dinky 'day out'!

12124

[pablo42]

Nice one Cad, looks like Brighton or Llandudno. Where was it taken?

[hmtmaj]

1979 Good pic John :handclap:

[Cadfael]

Nice one Cad, looks like Brighton or Llandudno. Where was it taken?

Couldn't say sorry - nothing on the back of the photo.

[az_gila]

Couldn't say sorry - nothing on the back of the photo.

...judging by the clothes, the name of the fair, and this history sheet...:)

http://www.toyfair.co.uk/downloads/The%20History%20of%20Toy%20Fair.pdf