Re: Industrial Ossy
 

We had Giron Freres here too Westender for velvets.

Re: Industrial Ossy
 

I just want to thank you all for replying to this thread. Retlaw, the shop in Rishton was Dave Goodwin's (half grocers half model engineers supply's). Another model engineering company took over his drawings and patterns when he retired a few years ago. I'll make it a "must" to visit t'Ossy Mills next time I'm over I hope they will still be on display. From those photo's they look superb. If anyone would like to see a full size version running under steam power there is one in the Manchester Science Museum (old railway station) and it's a good day out for the family, theres also one at Wigan Pier, and there maybe one in the museum at Bolton, near Sainsbury's supermarket.
Tetti.

Re: Industrial Ossy
 

I remember Giron but I think that was automated velvet cutting. A friend's father, Mateus Gijsbers, was the manager there for many years. As you'd guess, he was Dutch.

Actually in Lymm it was only the fustian cutting, no weaving etc. The cloth came from Manchester, on the Bridgewater Canal, and was sent back when the cutting was done. Children used to end up with deformed spines from having to bend sideways all day to cut the loops and the cutting rooms ran the length of the top storey of rows of small cottages.

Re: Industrial Ossy
 

Yes, was automated.

That was interesting West Ender. Poor kids.

Re: Industrial Ossy
 

Good grief West Ender Gijsbers rings a bell with me nearly sure I went to school with one of is sons, he was called Gerca (that's not the right spelling though, I'm not fluent in dutch:D)

Re: Industrial Ossy
 

That would be Tjerke, John, the youngest Gijsbers child. I was very friendly with his sister Marijke who was in my form at Paddock House. There were 6 children, Karel who became a Catholic priest, Tina, Antoon, Marijke, Theresa and Tjerke. They lived almost directly opposite the Sacred Heart church. Tjerke was about 6 years younger than me and as a little boy he had the thinnest legs I have ever seen. :D

I last saw Marijke when we were both 19 - a long time ago. She was at teacher training college in London and I don't think any of the family is still in the Accrington area.

Re: Industrial Ossy
 

Said I wasn't fluent in dutch West Ender, but yes its the same family I remember they lived across from the Sacred Heart church and remember one becoming a priest

Re: Industrial Ossy
 

I was in the same class tjeuke at holy family

Re: Industrial Ossy
 

yep was on the factory bottom, remember it well, they sacked me fer going to a funeral.:mad: