Vulcan Foundry Film - 1954

[Steven]

A few days ago I received an email that mentioned a film that I hadn't seen before, made at the Vulcan in 1954, it traced the working day of the then production engineer Ted Wilson, and as it follows his day it shows most of the production process.

After a little searching, I managed to get hold of the film, it arrived in the post to me this morning and this afternoon have uploaded it to my youtube space for you to see.

Youtube only allows 10 minute sections and the films 19 minutes long, so I split it into two parts.





I reckon there will be quite a few peoples grandparents or parents on this film, I do have a very clear copy of the film should anyone recognise a relative and want a better view, email me about it.

Regards

Steven Dowd

[pete8434]

Wow, a stunning insight into the daily life of vulcan workers, i wonder what todays "elf & safety". officers would have made of it!

[morley]

I saw this film in 1964 whilst serving my apprenticeship at the Vulcan. I recognise some workers,on part one,the late Jimmy Lodge who`s family still live in NLW & Jimmy Moore who lives in Wargrave.I`ll watch it again to see if I can put some more names in.When you look at the Vulcan site now,its a sin, that a massive part of our heritage has gone.

[nannycar]

I loved the film Steven, It brings back many memortes, I worked in the Canteen untill i was 18, then into the Automatic shop, then on Auto trucks, then for many years as a crane driver, I lived in the village so didnt have far to go to work, i was never out of work, i loved whatever job i did, and i did many,my last 2 jobs was trafic wardn [no comment ha ha ] and then i was a Driveing Instructor, i loved driveing, but came down with a bump at the age of 55 [not driveing ] i thaught i was going to work untill i was 70, no such luck,Sorry i got carried away after watching the flm, All the very best to you Steven and family for 2010,and same to everyone who comes on your History Fofum, better late than never, Jean x

[margaretgreenwood]

What a brilliant piece of social history. Unfortunately, I didn't spot any relatives on it, but really enjoyed it just the same.

[Chorlton1]

I worked at the Vulcan for 9 years if anyone has the chance to visit Swindon locomotive works and how well that has been turned into a museum and attractive shopping arcade it shows what can be done with a bit of vision. I won't get political on here but I think it is right for us to get upset when part of our history is lost because it is our generation who have the chance to save it once it is gone it is gone forever.

[suzy]

Thank you so much for sharing this film. I knew the moment I saw the year that there was a really good possibility that my Grandad - William Makin (b.1920) would be in the film, as soon as I saw him I knew it was him. He is working in the moulding shop pouring the molten fluid into small mouldings; the camera then rests on his face for a few seconds. We are thrilled to bits!

My Mum Maureen Makin lived in the Vulcan Village from 1943 to 1958. She attended the village school to 8years old then went to St Mary and St John school. We visited the church today inspired by the film to go and search for clues to my mums maternal ancestry, in particular the Shimmins and the McGrails. We even went into the church and met the caretaker who also knew some of my Mum’s family, he was a lovely man and we had a great day reminiscing (and spotting the pig on the church on the way back home)!
Thank you again!
Suzy