Morris Engines, Courthouse Green

I am very new to this site, so please excuse any mistakes. My dad worked at the Morris for his entire life. His name was Norman Morton and we lived on Northfield Road - a tall blonde man. I think he was a sort of foreman or "gaffer" as they called him? I remember he retired and they sent someone to his house to ask if he would come back and train the new boys, which he did for a number of years. He passed away many years ago. I do remember going to the Morris Children's Christmas Party, where we all received a Christmas present.

Hello California. What department did your father work?

Morris football pitch Courthouse Green 1930 via Britain From Above Courtesy www.britainfromabove.org.uk

Hello & welcome to you, California Thank you for both of your posts.

Hi Norm: How nice to know that I am actually getting the hang of doing these posts! I am a brand new member, living in "California" and was thrilled to see all these messages. I am sorry but I have no idea what department my father was in. I was very small when I went to the Christmas parties and remember very little. I think he used to "set up" the machines (he was a setter) - whatever that means? It was many, many years ago - my father has been dead some 27 years . I remember he used to bike to work from Northfield Road and as he got older, he took the bus. - Megan

Hello California this photo was taken December 1949 childrens Xmas party at the Morris works canteen Hello Binky11. A block minus the roof taken from Blackberry Lane gate Hello Binky again the clubhouse and car park where the kid swings used to be - the toolroom is in the background Another shot of the club car park with the staff canteen on the left and toolroom in background This is the snooker room. I don't think Norman the snooker room attendant would be too happy with it being left in that state. Another shot of a sports day with the works canteen in the background Hey, this is the outside shot of my office and someone has nicked the fork lift trucks And this is me in what's left of my office before they knocked it down. It was then I realised they were closing the plant. Knickers

Some more good pics Les. Have you more on the way? Also did you know my Dad, Ken McPherson who worked in the Progress Dept?

Hi Les, some nice shots again of the old place, good to see some pics with the factory still intact. The photo of the rear of the toolroom and the car park reminds me of the day I left. Most of us had had a good drink and I remember struggling out of the door In the corner with a load of tools then dropping them in the car park. After picking them all up and putting them in the back of my van (old A35), managed to walk home without incident and picked it up the next day. Sad day after 17 good years. Once again thanks for the memories. Must get to one of the breakfast mornings some time as I might recognise a couple of faces even though we might have change SLIGHTLY!

Hi deannottz yes I knew new ken he was based in j block just above the tool stores his desk was next to a good pal. Of mine named Tommy Mulhern I think they covered J block between them more photos to come stay tuned

Hi Les. I will ask my Dad if he remembers you and Tommy. Where you one of the very last people to leave at the end of September 1982?

Hi Deannottz your dad probably won't know me personally I was a production supervisor and had a lot of contact with progress chasers George Hyland was their supervisor but Tommy Mulhern was a personal friend happy days another name comes to mind in the progress dept was Ken Beynan might jog you dad's memory

My Grandfather worked at Morris Motors as a Motor Engine tester? His name was William Britton he moved up from Bristol with his brother Fred between 1911-1915. At 10 he was living at Perkins Street with his brother. By the time of his marriage in 1933 he was working at Morris and stayed there until his death aged 41 in 1946. Its a shame there are no archives as we have never seen a photo of him, my Dad finds it hard to remember what he looked like. Anyway its good to know that I can access some of its history on this site.

Hello Gladeprincess, Nice piece if you look on page 11 you will see a photo of the engine test beds or what's left of them the demo men were in this is where grandad would have worked there is another photo at a different angle if you trawl thro all the pages. Best, Les

Hi - I worked at Coventry Engines from 1974 to 1982 when it closed down. I joined as a craft apprentice and did my first year in the apprentice school, I can picture the trainers but not there names, they trained about 25 of us in milling, turning, welding, panel beating and electrical. After the first year I spent time with Ron Floyd and another chap can't remember his name in a pen in the engine test area, we made notes from the assembly of engines for about 4 months at the end of this time I had to put an engine together from scratch and the notes we made, what a great experience. Once assembled I had to test test it, it started first time fantastic. During the second year I spent time in the tool design office with Bob Reid, Frank Swain and Brian Wilkes. During the third year I spent time in the process office in Dunbar Ave with Wally Farndon and the boss of the department was an avid Aston Villa supporter again can't remember his name. The fourth year I went back into to the tool design office coming out of my time in 1978. Working for Jim Tyrrell I spent the next four years learning the trade from some of the great designers in the office. I ended up training as a technician apprentice and was lucky enough to end up in the design office. Other people I remember in the office were Enid (print room) George Armstrong, Eddie French (process manager) Ted Goll, Pete Harbourne. I remember picking up the Evening Telegraph one Saturday in November 1981 and finding out that the plant was closing down, later that month I took secured a job in Sigma in Pretoria, South Africa and took redundancy in March 1982. A big party happened before I left I will try to load the pictures when I have time.