Foundry workers

[Atarah]

Hi, anyone here work at Raistricks Foundry along Blackburn Road? Here is view shortly before they closed.

[Len]

These photos where taken at RE Supplies, Gt Harwood back in the 1980's.

[Atarah]

Hey, I am sure my couz used to work there - S Larder

Ring any bells?

Atarah

[Len]

Hi Atarah.

No sorry the name S Larder doesn't ring any bell for me but I shall ask my old man he worked there for years as a loose pattern moulder. I also worked there but in the sheet metal side of the business.

[ShortStuff]

They both don't look like very safe places to work! Don't think I'd fancy wearing a gas mask to work every day!

[andyroo]

Originally Posted by Atarah

Hi, anyone here work at Raistricks Foundry along Blackburn Road? Here is view shortly before they closed.

i worked there for 30 years and recocnise both the men in the picture.i was the last person to work there when it closed in 2003. i could tell you many tales.

[cashman]

that means ya started around 73, andy which was after my time yon, probably Harry Sumner, would still be yon then.

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by ShortStuff

They both don't look like very safe places to work! Don't think I'd fancy wearing a gas mask to work every day!

Gas masks only came in when the elf un safety act came in, before that it was like it or lump it.
If you got splashed with hot metal, the last thing you do is flick it off, grit your teeth till it no longer burns, otherwise it would tear the flesh & leave a hole.
Still got a black mark on my left wrist 65 years later.
Retlaw.

[cashman]

Originally Posted by ShortStuff

They both don't look like very safe places to work! Don't think I'd fancy wearing a gas mask to work every day!

gas masks twas a rag round yer gob n sacking round yer legs as retlaw will no doubt say.

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by cashman

gas masks twas a rag round yer gob n sacking round yer legs as retlaw will no doubt say.

The only person I saw wearing a shield of any sort was the furnace tenter, he only wore it when he was tapping the furnace, the rest of the foundry workers prefered bell bottom fushton pants, and a long handle on the ladle.
The most dangerous thing Lang Bridges used to cast were Iron Rollers about 12ft long, they were cast on end to ensure a clean cast, trouble was if the center core wasn't dry enough, the center core was made on a long tube using a strickle board, then dried in an oven, any moisture and BOOM.
There was a special cast at Langs, longer than usual, we heard a rumble and everyone fled, and the center tube went through the foundry roof, and came down in the foundry yard 20ft away.

I can still se Alan Laraway who was pouring the metal, stood on a pile of casting boxes, jumping clear. The only one who couldn't escape was old Riley the crane driver all he could do was swing the ladle of metal away and duck inside his cage.

Retlaw.

[stuart braysford]

Originally Posted by Atarah

Hi, anyone here work at Raistricks Foundry along Blackburn Road? Here is view shortly before they closed.

yes i was the lorrydriver for a few years 1978/1981 .my dad was a plate moulder
untill 1960.uncle gorge was the owner

[Atarah]

Just found a few more piccy's of Raistricks

[stuart braysford]

thats my dad in the check shirt arthur braysford and jimmy raistrick stood behind him.
jimmy watson kneeling bout hat

[cashman]

Originally Posted by stuart braysford

thats my dad in the check shirt arthur braysford and jimmy raistrick stood behind him.
jimmy watson kneeling bout hat

i worked wi Watson as everyone called him, lived up spring hill.

[stuart braysford]

thanks for the photo of dad,never had one of dad at work.as a lad i went to see him
and it was like a hell hole with smoke ,heat,smell.thank you very much