Head Wrightson

As a child I spent my Saturday mornings accompanying my Dad Charlie Gill to Stockton Forge. My Uncle Joe had previously been a Manager, but I never knew him. My mother seemed to be in hospital a lot and I had to walk from my home in Norton to Tilery School where I had to stay for school dinners. Which were terrible so I used to walk down the blacky path to the back gate of Stockton Forge and Mrs Astle used to let me stay in her office and give me my dinner. Mr Heron, Uncle Ted (Mr E Daglish) used to bring me sweets. My Dad went into work, to check on men working, on a Saturday morning taking me along. We all used to meet in an office in the works for a tea break. Mr Lenny Alan, Mr Heron, Uncle Ted, Ozzy ?, I was given rides on the loco round the works and often the driver gave me an apple. I loved these visits and meeting my Dad’s friends most of whom also played bowls at Stockton Bowling Club.

When I left school I joined Head Wrightson at their Thornaby site as a trainee Private Secretary. I worked for Arthur Lackenby in Purchasing Dept, Mr Lamb in Transport, Mr Foster in accounts and in the Library, I think Mrs Clegg. My boss was Mr L Smith. I attended day release for Shorthand & Typing. I then asked to work in the Telex Department, eventually going to The Friarage to work for the Directors and Legal Department. I remember Mr Staymen, Mr Iveson and Mr Winter. Marlene Early came to The Friarage to be the telephonist. Our offices were in a part of the building that was supposedly haunted.

I think our family were considered to be one of the longest serving families at HW. I have many happy memories of my association with HW and still have a large wall clock that was presented to my family by Sir John Wrightson.