GEC Copsewood (Telephone Works, Stoke)

Does anyone on this site remember my father 'Wally Gould' he worked at Spon st but earlier worked at Stoke, would love to hear any stories

My first job after leaving University was with GPT (1998-2001) when the site was mainly filled with people doing electronic design and software... It was a good place to start working at during the .com boom. Dynamic and interesting. I worked on Photonix software development and things were looking bright - until the crash came. By that time I'd already left and watched from my new job as GEC/Marconi slowly collapsed. I remember a few drunken afternoons in the Grange when projects got sign off, and the whole working environment was good - we had a decent restaurant on site, good coffee machines & a library. A very sad end to GEC.

I worked at GEC Stoke Works from 1975 to 1988. The first eight years were spent in Production Control in TSG, to say that it was a dull job would be an understatement. The management operated under an 'us and them' regime, so I was constantly crossing swords with them over my long hair and refusal to wear a tie. From 1983 to 1988 I worked in the Commercial Contracts Dept. What a difference that was! The Contracts Manager, Alf Wood, was one of the nicest blokes I've ever worked for. It was like chalk and cheese compared to my previous department. The job involved a lot of PR work with BT and I regularly booked BT staff in at Windmill Farm Hotel, owned by John Harrhy. It was very handy for me as I only had to stagger back home to Allesley village after a good night out with the BT lads! I called to have a look at the old site a couple of years ago whilst in Coventry to attend a Bees meeting. It was dreadful to see. Just waste land with weeds growing on it. What had once been a large thriving site was totally obliterated. The Grange Club was also a ruin. I guess you should never go back and I must admit I wish I hadn't. I prefer to remember GEC as it was in the 70's/80's era.

Love to hear from employees @ Copsewood 1965 - 1980, especially the lovely ladies, & were they lovely

I joined the Installation and Commissioning Section BO91 in 1961, the head of the Section was Louis Strazza, the job was installing telecoms transmission equipment in the UK and abroad. Frank Simmons was admin., setting up trips abroad to Nigeria, San Salvador, Hong Kong and Iran, still under the Shah. I still find it incredible that the whole plant has gone, Arnold Weinstock must be turning in his grave. Sir George Graham, what a disaster. I was in Japan visiting my son a few years ago, one of his Japanese friends travels the world installing and commissioning telecoms equipment. When in Coventry assisting with equipment late for overseas contracts I stayed with Valerie Furness, whose husband worked in the factory, lovely woman. I drove a Sunbeam Rapier, nice car, happy days.

Found this cracking site this year, posted a req' for all those lovely gals who worked at Copsewood 70s & 80s, remembered some names recently, Mr Bloxham top loading bay and his glamorous sec Mrs Mary Sweeney, Ray & Christine ? salaries, Ray succeeded Mr McTurk I think, Christine also a lovely gal, Peter & Xanier ? Rogers, nice couple, Little blonde Lynne in wages, Sue accts, I think married Dave. Halcyon days, anyone recognise them? Love to hear from them or of them, Cheers.

Ray works in Asda Walsgrave

Hello, I have just finished rebuilding an old GPO model 332F telephone made in 1947 at the GEC Stoke works so it can still be used today on fibre optic Virgin media phone lines, with new cords and re-built dial. When I was doing some research on the phone I found this info on a website of photos taken at the Stoke works, I apologise if it has been posted before. Andy Old Chapelfields

I started in the stores at Helen St about 1978, I think I was there for about six months before I moved to Stoke where I was on Stock checking for several years before moving into the stores where I remained until I was made redundant, I think that was about 1993. I must say my memories from that time are a bit hazy but it was a good time in my life.

I worked for the GEC company during the early 70s, starting at Stoke on assembly, basically putting components onto the boards ready for soldering, I then went to Brandon and trained for wiring, then to Helen St. doing a similar job by soldering these components into place, and also doing repairs. I was later trained to do inspection and spent 3 years there, and certainly there was a 'them and us' attitude but I met some great people and had a couple of holidays in France and Holland with them, one, can't remember her name, snorted like a pig when she laughed, so funny, we were always being told off for making too much noise. We worked hard and played hard, great days.

Hi all I recently came across these photos I thought worth sharing of my grandma - Rose Yardley (nee Clarke) - (she was always Nana to me!) taken working at the GEC Stoke works. Apologies for the poor quality as I've merely taken a copy photo from my phone - I'll try to scan when I can. First one is on the GEC float for the carnival taken at the factory - not sure of dates but we suspect around 1930. Nana is dead centre sitting on the floor: Next an office shot which we think is later - late 40's/50's perhaps? (I need to go and see my aunt to work out dates she was there. Nana was head of the dispatch office at the time shown here - again that's her in the middle - side on: Finally they came in this works envelope signed by the manager - looks like they were presented to everyone on the float?

What would we do without our Nanas Neil. Great photos. I wonder what she would have said to seeing herself on a video. Thank you for showing us. They are well preserving.

I worked at GEC Copsewood. Firstly in CPI Systems, in Production Control Dept. Mr Clements was our boss then and Ann Yates was our Supervisor. I then got transferred across to General Offices to the Typing Pool where Mrs Griffiths was our supervisor. Then I became secretary to Mr Leslie Skingley, the Editor of "The Loudspeaker" magazine. I enjoyed my job there. My father worked in the toolroom, he was Mr. William Harris. My brother worked as a draughtsman. Mr. John Delaney was the photographer for "The Loudspeaker" magazine. I would love to get more copies of "The Loudspeaker" magazine for 1962. There was a friend who got married in the summer of that year, whose photo was in it. My name then was Mary Harris until I got married in 1962 and moved away from Coventry. I often wondered where some of the friends I made there are now.

Hi Commoner Mr Leslie Skingley was my near neighbour when I got married & moved to Holbrooks. I did have some history with the G.E.C as I had two years of school holiday time jobs working in both the transmission stores as well as the auto exchange lab stores 1962/3. Best wishes to you.

Does anyone remember Lorraine England? She worked at GEC Cov. for numerous years. I believe she was a welfare officer or similar. And a relative.