Brenka Magazine 1949 Christmas

ENKA PERSONALITY No. 4

Out of the depths comes a man whose job is one of those thousand-and-one steady tasks which must be performed in a factory as large as ours, but which is rather taken for granted. Our fourth personality is Harry Alty, the king of Enka Underworld, the man who keeps the drains running and who is at his busiest when the rain arrives.
When I interviewed him, Harry sat there, with his old pipe puffing away, and a bit of a twinkle in his eye. Harry is one of those unmistakable English characters, going his own un-obtrusive way day by day, never thrusting himself on anyone, yet endearing himself to all who come into contact with him. He told me he has eight children, five sons and three daughters, all grown up and married.
He commenced work here in 1919, in the days of the old Aircraft Factory, and transferred to Enka in 1926. One who knew him in the old Aircraft days said that Harry knew every rabbit on this site, its name, haunts, family history, and when to take it home. He was very seldom seen without a bulge on one side of his jacket, from which a tail or an ear could be seen sticking out. During the last war, in addition to doing his own job he acted as gardener to Mr. de Van der Schueren.
Harry will be 66 in February next, and says that he is suffering with rheumatism, so thinks he will retire. Should he do so, he will take from all at Enka their best wishes for a happy and comfortable retire-ment, and their appreciation of a job well done.

Men’s Hockey Section

The results of this season to date are very satisfactory as follows: Played 12, Won 6, Lost 3, Drawn 3; this is a big improvement on earlier years because we are now meeting much stronger teams.

The interest in the section is also increasing as we have more playing members at present than ever before.

We are very pleased to mention that two of our members, J. Edwards, Drawing Office and R. Corker, Electricians, have taken part in the Lancs. Colts trial recently at Preston, and the latter selected to play in the first game at Cheetham Hill, Manchester, on 22nd October, 1949.

J. B. CLARE, Hon. Secretary.

Cricket

Now that the cricket season is over there is very little to report.

We now have the results of the K.O. competition, the winners being Pipe Fitters, with the Electricians runners-up.

This very keen final finished a very successful season and all are looking forward to next season.

J. S. EDWARDS, Hon. Secretary.

 

Football Section

This season has seen a tremendous increase in the demand for Football. Both Day and Shiftworkers are taking more interest, either as players or spectators, and signed-on players number 120. The Shiftworkers are very keen and have Interdepartmental matches every week. The Brenka Cup Fixtures this year will most probably be the largest in the history of the Cup. The old Club name of BRENKA has been re-adopted, and our 1st Saturday team play again in our pre-war Club colours of blue and amber. The organisation having grown so rapidly, it was decided at the Annual General Meeting to reorganize the Section, and this was done by the election of a Committee, which also includes the Selection Committee, who meet in the Recreation Room every Monday evening at 5.30 p.m.

 

Up to the time of going to press, all teams have responded nobly, the 1st Saturday Team having won 5, drawn 1, and lost 1, in their first seven games. The 2nd Saturday Team have won seven out of eight including one Cup-tie, and the Wednesday Teams, whilst not playing so many games, are equally forging ahead. The reorganiza-tion has entailed quite a lot of work, but it has been well worth it because the players are putting all they know into their football, and this season the name BRENKA looks as if it is going to feature very prominently in local soccer circles. We should like to place on record our thanks to Tom Hartley and his merry men, who take very great care in maintaining our ground and gear and whose work is invaluable, and also in the same category E. Turner, our Clogger and our Patrol Force, and last but not least, Jack King of the Garage who also lends a hand. There remains only YOU, the spectator. We are gradually building up week by week a growing body of enthusiastic spectators, many of whom travel week by week, to home and away matches and are sure of seeing a really good game. We want to increase this number and make our football games a really important feature of your recreation and in so doing your support will encourage our teams on to further successes. So, in the coming weeks just make a point of coming to see some of our matches, you won’t regret it.

So long,

E. MCCULLOCH, Hon. Sec.

Bowling Section

The President’s Main was again a great success this season, some real good bowling was wit-nessed in our “summing-up” Saturday. By the way, we were very pleased with the co-opera-tion of Mr. Oram that day, for coming along in place of Mr. Davenhill (away on business) and wish to thank him for the able way he distributed the prizes.

Jim Graley finished up the winner, a popular win this, as he played really good “woods” all through.

Harry Carr, another excel-lent bowler, was runner-up. The weather was fine and some really good bowling was witnessed. I would say, “Let us have more entrants next year.”

Final summing-up, the Bowling Section has had a very good year.

Tennis Section

Our 1949 season has ended and we have reluctantly put away our tennis gear. Looking back over the year it has been a very successful season and the number of new members has grown slowly but steadily. We should like to see many more during 1950.

The Open Handicap Tournaments arranged in June have been rather drawn out, with the result that only one event was completed, this being the Ladies’ Doubles. In the case of the Gents’ Doubles and Mixed Doubles, illness, holidays and shift work made it very difficult for all competitors to arrange suitable times. The prizes in the latter events were divided equally. The full results are as follows-

LADIES’ DOUBLES:

Miss E. Finnis and Miss H. Lawson. (Winners).

Miss H. Metcalfe and Miss L. Maddox. (Runners-up).

MIXED DOUBLES: Shared by Miss F. Monaghan and Mr. J. Holmes. Miss E. Finnis and Mr. J George.

GENT’S DOUBLES: Shared by Mr. J. Oram and Mr. H. Holmes. Mr. J. Charnock and Mr. A Stanley.

From My Notebook

We wish to offer our heartiest congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Parr on the celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 10th December. Joe, who has now been pensioned for some years, is one of the best and was at Enka for 18 years. Our picture shows them with their grandchild.

 

Obituary
It was with great sorrow that we heard of the death on the 2nd November, of Peter Fay of No. 2 Spinning Room. He was first employed by the Company in 1929 and completed 19 years’ service. All who knew him were profoundly moved, and on their behalf as well as our own, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Fay and her son, Colin.

Children’s Corner

Departmental News

No. 1 Fitters’ Shop

On Tuesday morning, October 11th, our new cloakroom was opened and is greatly appreciated by all since it fulfils a long left need. The room is in the capable charge of our “Uncle Sam” Smaje. Later it will be fully equipped with washing facilities, etc.

We were pleased to hear that Alan Leyland, one of our apprentices had made a name for himself as a comedian with an R.A.F. show at Singapore. We knew he had it in him. “Good Luck, Alan.”

Congratulations to:

Bill Cooban, No. 1 Expansion, who was married to Miss Margery Kelly on Saturday, 15th October, at County Road Methodist Chapel, Walton-on-the-Hill.

“Mr.” Francis Lyon who reached his majority on 21st August.

Mr. and Mrs. George Austin on the birth of a son on 15th October. Maybe George is considering having a family Boy Scout Troop-” All my own.”

The Stork has been rather slack of late in our department, perhaps some of our backward members could oblige: Evertonians in particular please note.

No. 2 Fitters’ Shop

Many billiard fans will remember Bill Clarkson, who emigrated to Australia early this year. Several letters have been received from him with good reports of his progress. He finds that living over there has its differences but he and his family have settled down now and like the country immensely. In his letters he always asks for news from home and especially from his old friends at Enka.

We were sorry to lose his brother Frank from the department on transfer to the Garage, and we wish him luck in his new job as a long distance driver.

No. 1 Spinning Room

Congratulations to Mr. P. H. Balmer who was married on 26th October.

No. 2 Spinning Room

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. P. Rawsthorne on the birth of a son, Ian, weighing 8 lb.

Textile Laboratory

The usual spate of weddings from this department: there must be something in this strength testing.

We offer our congratulations to-

Miss Jean Taylor on her marriage to Mr. Leslie Webster on 3rd September at St. Andrew’s Church, Maghull.

Miss Florence Anders on her marriage to Mr. Harold Barrow on 3rd September at St. Cleopas, Dingle.

Miss Denise Jackson on her engagement to Mr. Michael Barron. Miss Dorothy Shepherd who celebrated her twenty-first birthday on 20th November.

Winding Department

We are all very pleased to hear that Rose Ross is getting along nicely. Rose, who has been with the firm for the past twenty-one years, has been away ill for some time, and we do hope she will be back with us soon. All wish her a speedy recovery.

Cake Sorting

Miss E. Shennan sends us the following letter-
“May I through Brenka express my sincere thanks to Mr. Padfield and staff of Cake Sorting for their good wishes, lovely cards, and most beautiful presents.
I have spent many happy years at the Enka, both in No. 1 Reeling Room and in Cake Sorting, and, believe me, I shall take with me very many happy memories. This going to Australia is a big move, I know, but I am hoping for the best.
Perhaps one day I will be lucky enough to come back on holiday and see my old friends at the Enka.
Once again, many thanks to you all.
Yours most gratefully,
Ethel Shennan.

This happy group was taken at the last Enka dance held at Litherland Town Hall. Miss Dorothy Leech was shortly going to Australia and this snap was taken as a memento of her last Works dance with her workmates. Dorothy is on the back row, third from right.

How’s This For Cake Sorting?

Taken during a happy holiday at Middleton Towers, Morecambe, this year. And we never knew!

Congratulations to Mrs. Kay Porter, a former Cake Sorter, who gave birth to a baby girl, weighing 6lb. 12ozs. on Wednesday, 26th October. Her husband, Bill Porter, worked in the Coning Room prior to the War.

The death of Mrs. Wilson, known to many as Ada Carnell (Blue Band), on Friday, 21st October, came as a great shock to her friends, who remember her happy disposition and true friendship.

We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to her husband and family on their sudden and very sad bereavement.

Cake Preparation

Our deepest sympathy is extended to Lily Davies who lost her Father in June, and her Mother in September.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. T. Cropper on the birth of a son.  Mrs. Cropper was formerly Florrie Jones who was for many years Forewoman in Cake Preparation, and Mr. Cropper is a Charge-hand in No. 2 Spinning Room.

We were all very sorry to lose May Farrar. May, who has worked for many years in Cake Preparation, has left to help at home. Whilst we shall miss her a great deal, we wish her all the best and hope she will be very happy.

Cake Prep Girls On Holiday In Ireland

Chemical Department

Congratulations to Charlie Millar and his wife on the occasion of their Silver Wedding, September 23rd, 1949. Charlie is a Charge-hand in the Viscose Cellar, “B” Shift.

Great promptitude was shown by Albert Vann of “B” Shift when he extinguished a fire on a contractor’s motor, which burst into flames after being started up in the Grinding Room. This goes to prove that the Fire Extinguishers are very necessary.

Nice Work, Albert!

We are glad to see Mr. Ward, Chemical Foreman, back at work and hope that his health will continue to improve. His illness has been a very painful one.

Painting Department

We regret to record the death on October 14th, of Joe Deegan, a well known Enka baseballer who worked in the Painting Department before the War. We extend our sympathy to Mrs. Deegan and family.

We regret that Foreman R. Spencer was still absent owing to illness at the time of going to press and all hope that he will soon be able to be back on the job.

Press Bleach No 2

We welcome back to Enka an old friend in Mr. Antonio, who was with us many years ago in the Spinning Room.

“B” Shift are hoping to be the first Bleach team to win the Strakosch Cup. Last year they got to Semi-final at their first attempt.

We offer our deepest sympathy to Mr. D. Murphy on the death of his brother, which occurred on October 13th.

Drawing Office

Since the last issue of Brenka many changes have taken place in the Drawing Office. Some old faces are no longer with us. One of these was George Haslam, our ex reporter and social organiser, and we wish him the best of luck in his new position.

The Stork will be flying around Southport until the New Year, when we understand he will unload a bundle of trouble.

A certain person, we have heard, has been bribing the examiners so that he may pass his driving test.

Wanted: THREE COFFINS. We have three “Blue” supporters (not “Blue Label”) who may be requiring them very shortly. This department is not alone in this respect!

General Office 

Friends of Miss Doreen Drysdale, formerly of Sales Dept., will be interested to learn that Doreen was married to Mr. Frank Thomson of Bootle on 27th September at the Congregational Church in Sydney, Australia.

Doreen sailed for Australia on the 1st January this year to take up a post with the Australian Government, and her fiancé, who was unable to accompany her on the voyage, joined her in September.

Chemical Plumbing Department

We extend our congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. W. Slade on the arrival of their daughter, Susan, on 2nd September, 1949. Mrs. Slade was formerly Miss McGregor of the Silk Test.

Canteen

Miss Gladys Ormrod of the Main Canteen was married to Mr. P. Madden at Melling Parish Church on Saturday, 19th November. Congratulations!

LOST!

BY MRS. SEBASTIAN

17 lb.

Anyone finding, may keep it!!

Newly Weds

 

Best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Thompson who were married at St. Peter’s Church, Aintree, by the Rev. K. Strickland on June 18th. Mrs. Thompson was formerly Miss E. Clayton.

Congratulations to Miss Margaret Fowler and Mr. J. Friery (Press Bleach, “А” Shift) who were married at the Blessed Sacrament Church, Orrell Park on 23rd July.

Congratulations to Miss Lil-lian Sargent and Mr. Jimmy Yates (Joiners’ Shop) on their marriage at St. Andrew’s Church, Litherland, on August 13th.

Congratulations to Jimmy Scott (Ovenman) on his marriage to Miss Mary Knowles at All Saints’ Church, Stoneycroft, on 30th July.

Mr. Donald Prince of the Accounts Department was married on Saturday, 27th August, to Miss Vera Morris at the Fazakerley Methodist Church. The bride wore a gown of white satin and her bouquet was of yellow tearoses. Don, who is Captain of the Men’s Hockey Team, was presented with a gift of cutlery and a carpet sweeper as a token of the good wishes of his colleagues.
Mr. and Mrs. Prince spent their honeymoon at Loch Lomond.

Miss Jean Large, of Accounts Department, became Mrs. Ronald Dix on Saturday, 22nd October, 1949, at St. Oswalds Church, Netherton.
Jean wore a dress of white cloque material and carried a bouquet of white carnations and heather.
Mr. and Mrs. Dix spent their honeymoon in Blackpool. The bride’s going away outfit consisted of a powder blue suit with a navy top coat and navy accessories.

May we offer our congratulations to Miss Eunice Hazelhurst, formerly of Silk Stores, and Mr. Peter Gounsell, who works on Transport between Cake Sorting and Coning Room, on their marriage at Christ Church, Bootle, on March 19th.