A Gazetteer of Lock and Key Makers

JAMES GIBBONS LTD

by Frank Spittle


9.   Sporting and Social Life

James Gibbons was a family owned firm and there was a strong sense of family within the firm.  People not only worked together but played together.  The Sports and Social Clubs gave pleasure to thousands over the years.  The old folks Christmas party, children's parties, retirement parties, awards for service functions, and many other social occasions all reinforced the sense of belonging to a family and did much to create long standing friendships forged over the years.  Soldiers of a Regiment will remember their mates who served with them; workers were no different in that regard in those earlier days of working together, then playing together in the same works league football  team or net-ball team.   

The retirement party of Mr. Brentnall, Senior Director.
The party was held in the Sports and Social Club on Birmingham New Road.

A third scene from the party.
A somewhat less dignified occasion was this Foremen's Outing to the Thames at Windsor.

In the Crossing the Line ceremony King Neptune was Don Stokes, Ernie Bayliss was Queen Neptune, I was the Demon Barber and Cyril Bratt was the victim.
This is an earlier bit of fun, from some time in the 1930s.  The Lettemburn Fire Brigade was a Gibbons float for the Royal Hospital Carnival which raised money for the (pre-NHS) hospital.

The photo was possibly taken at the Church Lane end of Nelson Street - note the old factory and workshops across the Lane.

People were remembered long after they had retired from active participation in the company.  This book, which listed every employee in the company, was presented to Mr. F. J. J. Gibbons, along with a present, on his 80th birthday in 1942.  A large delegation went to his house.  The event got a long write up in the local paper.
The Children's Christmas Party, 17th December 1960.  The party was usually held in the works' canteen but it had just been altered and a new venue was found at the Graiseley Girl's Secondary Modern School - and was thought to be a great improvement.

A somewhat more dignified occasion - the Machine Shop Dinner, probably sometime in the late 1950s.
These are just some of the members of the 25 Year Club - a club for those who had served the company for more than 25 years.

Many served more than 25 years and there was always a function to celebrate such achievements.  Here a presentation is made to Ernest Bayliss at a 40 Year Awards function.

Ben Madelin at his award ceremony.   

And here Ben supervises the cutting of a cake - possibly the wedding cake of the couple shown.
Mr. O'Higgins' Chairman's Party, held at a venue in Birmingham. (Mr. O'Higgins is dead centre of the front row)

The London Office also had their events.  This one marked the retirement of the London office chauffeur. 
Going back a bit in time, this was the staff dance in 1938.  It was held in Beatties' restaurant.

These events were held at many venues.  This is the retirement of a director, Fred Hall.  The venue is Purslow Hall, Shrops, which was Paul Gibbons' house after he moved from Brook House.

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