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Bryant and May - Garston
Bryant and May- garston match factory were....
The first to be equipped with the first continuous match making machine!
At one time, was THE ONLY producer of wooden matches in the UK.
Famous brands to come out of Garston include...
Swan, Pilot, Vesta and Englands Glory.
The firm was famous for only recruiting local people, it was tough for anyone trying to get a job there as they only employed family members. Several generations worked there.
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Hi Kev
Bryant and May may have been, as you say, "At one time, was THE ONLY producer of wooden matches in the UK." However, since the Garston was not their only facility, I should think that it was not their only plant to make wooden matches. They also had a factory in the East End of London, which was famously involved in a match girls strike of 1888, one of the first instances of female labor protesting for recognition and better wages.
Chris
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Thanks for that, Kev, great to see
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So famous they're on the Walk of Fame
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Bryant and May
I remember Bryant mand May very well. My dad worked there for a number
of years, he was from King Street ( under the bridge) he tried to get me a
job there once, got an interview but it wasnt meant to be as I failed the maths test (never mind). I have fond memories of King Street. I never lived there but my dad did and we used to have great nights out in the Queen Vic.
I remember on occasion John Aldrige and Ray Houghton being in there with Johns dad Billy, being a red I was very impressed that my dad was mates with
the great players dad. Yes I have very happy memories of such a stong close
community.
Would love to hear from anyone who drank in Vic in the 80s and might remember my dad, his name was Jack Winckle (theres a name you couldnt forget)
crackin site by the way cant come off it. get carried away and end up losin track of time.