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Thread: Dinky/Meccano

  1. #31
    Steven
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    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.

  2. #32

    Default Factory of Dreams

    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

  3. #33
    John(Zappa)
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    Default Meccano

    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.

  4. #34

    Default Thanks....

    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....
    Last edited by Andyman7; 12-17-2007 at 08:53 PM.

  5. #35
    John(Zappa)
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    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.

  6. #36
    Martin hmtmaj's Avatar
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    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.


  7. #37
    John(Zappa)
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    Quote Originally Posted by hmtmaj View Post
    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

  8. #38
    Senior Member pasha's Avatar
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    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

  9. #39
    John(Zappa)
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    Quote Originally Posted by pasha View Post
    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.

  10. #40
    Senior Member pasha's Avatar
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    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

  11. #41
    Member Ken Berry's Avatar
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    Default Meccano

    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

  12. #42
    Re-member Ged's Avatar
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    In W.H. Smiths.





    .
    www.inacityliving.piczo.com/

    Updated weekly with old and new pics.

  13. #43

  14. #44
    tattooed gt-grandma quincyg's Avatar
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    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.
    Proud Scouser, with a dabbling of Welsh and Irish.

    bore yourself silly at my Flickr page...anorak central!

  15. #45
    Senior Member xkopite's Avatar
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    Does anyone know what happened to the Meccano sign (think it was in sandstone). Was it destroyed or salvaged?

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