Morris Engines, Courthouse Green

I've enjoyed reading the posts on this site and looking at the overhead photograph of the factory from the Nuffield Rd/Stoney Stanton Rd end and the photograph of the factory from the Blackberry Lane entrance. My Dad worked at the factory from 1969 until he was made redundant in 1982, due to the redundancy we moved to Lincolnshire, where we reside today. My Dad is Neil Taylor, who grew up in Hampton Rd, Foleshill, he worked in J block; Jack Johnson was his Foreman. My Dad liked working at the Factory, he worked nights and has good memories, he also worked on days in the years towards the closure of the factory and I can remember walking from Stoke Heath School to meet him at the Blackberry Lane entrance after work and take the short walk home to Nuffield Rd. I can relate to posts regarding watching the cricket at the Morris, my Dad opened the batting for the Courthouse Green Inter-Departmental Morris team, as well as representing them at other sports, and I too watched from the outfield close to the big tree near the white screen. I also fondly remember the Christmas parties, which were well attended; everyone could choose a present at the end of the party and went home well fed and entertained! The parties were held in the Morris clubhouse, which my family visited at weekends, the resident group were good and used to play all the classics of the time, the kids were allowed to play on the field until dark, fun times. I also played at the Morris Park, which was located adjacent to the Morris factory at the Blackberry Lane entrance and I remember the chimneys. The factory was at the heart of the local community. My Dad's brother, Terry Taylor, also worked there in the 1970's, as well as his younger brothers, Steven and Dean Taylor. My Dad remembers many of the names mentioned in earlier posts and also remembers Ken Hollis, a Morris employee and local football referee. I would love to view photographs of the Morris sports teams from the 1970's.

Hi Andrea69 & welcome to our forum. Hi all Many of us who grew up in the fifties in the Wyken area remember the "Moggi Park" as we called it. Also my mum had one of her shoe shops inside of the Morris factory, there. Them-wert-days!

Hi Philip, thank you for the welcome.

Hi all, I am new here and have only been to Coventry once, at the University Hospital visiting a family member, surrounding area seemed very nice. I am researching the racing driver Ken Miles. He was born in Sutton Coldfield and worked at Morris Engines at Courthouse Green in 1948 to 1949. He was a development engineer. He had previously worked at Wolseley and after Morris he worked at Webley for a time. In post # 22 I'm sure Ken Miles is one of the table tennis players second from left but can`t be sure. Does anyone have anymore pictures of the staff which may feature Miles. Thanks, Paul

Just joined, I remember Arthur Whittle a toolsetter in the valve shop I took his cupboard over when he retired!! just out of my apprenticeship at the time. Was it true the jet engine man was his brother? Great camaraderie in the valve shop those days. Bob Hewitt

(Sir) Frank certainly had a younger brother, Joseph Arthur, who died in 1970

Does anyone know if there is a Morris Engines archivist?

I played football for Canley Club with a guy called Nigel Dixon who was a fireman (I think) at Courthouse Green. He had an awesome Mini Cooper S. Anyone know him?

Try Les Beard, seems to have been there thro' to the end, I only worked there from 1967 until 1980 from apprentice through most depts, toolsetting foreman on nights and dayshifts, the last section was a change to Industrial engineering (work study). Would be good to get a few more names on posts! Bob Hewitt

There is a collection of items in Coventry City Archives - see this link

Hello Miles-Fan Yes I was at Morris Engines from 1953 till 1982 when it closed. I've taken lots of photos of the closure from the day they put the for sale board up on the front gate, I also collected most of the copies of the Teamwork, the works magazine, which were a penny each from 1949 till 1958, full of info and photos of all the depts and presentations and retirements, the different sections, football, tennis, darts, drama, boxing, interdepartmental comps, the annual sports day organised by Mary Fisher. I will throw a few names in to get you thinking - Jack Lowe, Ted Goll, Ted Camble, Frank Jealous, Les Bednall, Harry Morris, Wal Blower, John Barker, Roger Loach, Ron Green, Harry Jeffries, Roy Baker, Pete Hemmings, Joe Kennel, Ernie Moore, Bill Dudley, Ernie Hood, Frank Millington, Johnny Cross - that's enough for now, I could probably name the lot covering the machine shops and foundry. ENJOY

Hello, is anybody interested in Morris Engines, does anyone ever log on?

Hi Les... Maybe you could put some of your photos on here, I am sure me and other members would like to see them..

OK LEAVE IT WITH ME

OK here is a taster - main gates sale board up [buy one get one free]