GEC Spon Street

GEC occupied more modern buildings on the other side of Crow Lane which is on the right of the above photograph. They are not the ones shown on the map however as these were all destroyed in 1940. Note also that Trafalgar Street ended at the junction with Crow Lane and did not continue westwards as suggested by the artist's drawing.

If anyone is still looking at this I can recount my memories of GEC Spon St, I worked there from 1975 until 1989 in the Printed Circuit Department, I was also in the "Works Fire Brigade" so had the run of all the building and the Basement!

Welcome to the forum John People are always looking, so "fire" away

Hi John, I worked from 1975 to 1983 in production control at Stoke Works. Part of the job was scheduling PCB's from Spon Street. The only name I can remember is a chap named Tony Middleton. I also had a pal there called Bryan Howells. Ring any bells? (No pun intended!!)

Sorry for the delayed reply, busy week!! I used to work in the Printed Circuit Department, with Kole Cupi, Pete Quinn, Jeet Singh, and Andy Ball, producing artwork in the darkroom for the girls mass producing circuit boards, we also used to make the silk screens for the same purpose and to apply the component marking "coding" on the etched and plated boards. The PC Dept was to the left of the main building if looking from Spon St entrance (next to the bike sheds), although when I first started in 1975 it was the other side of the Main Building for a short while, and did indeed move back to there in my later years. Also situated in the same building was the Plating Line (copper), Drill Room, CNC drilling machines, Janet, John and Jean. The Chem Lab, Dave. Print room, John Warwick and all the girls - there was also a gold plating line (for edge connectors) then beyond that and down towards the garage there was the Press Room for stamping out blanks and finished boards. The basement was definitely used as an air raid shelter, before they got painted over there used to be painted squares on the walls with "Shelter D" "Shelter C" etc. It was also used as a general stores area where apprentices would get sent to get some "Elbow Grease" or a "Long Weight" "Left Handed Spanner" and all the such like!! The Electricians and Pipe Fitters also used it as a store, also the Fire Brigade from the new station at the bottom of the Radford Road would use it for B.A. (breathing apparatus) training, they would hide a sand filled life size dummy somewhere in the basement, then they would kit up in full gear and B.A. but the window of the mask was obscured with bubblewrap, and then off to the depths of the basement to find it. As for a tunnel leading out to the Council House, I never saw any sign of it and don't remember any mention of it, but if there were, it would have to cross the Sherbourne and avoid the well that the building used to tap for all its non-drinking water (I wonder where that is now?). During the Fire Brigade strike in 1977 the works Fire Brigade became a full time Job for the duration of the strike, and yes doing the rounds through the night was quite a spooky experience!! And the mystery surrounding the Official Secrets Act, well it all depended on what you worked on, the majority of the work there was Telephony related (System X in the later days) so no need to sign, however there were still some partial builds of "stuff" for the military so yes you would be asked to sign the OSA. The photo of the 5th floor was a big memory jogger, I had a best friend who worked at the South end, Mike Freeman, sadly no longer with us, he worked there with Phil Mosley. When part of the floor was replaced the workmen found loads of ball bearings that had fallen through cracks in the floor when it was the Rudge Works. As for names, I could reel off a big list, yes Wally Gould, Tony Middleton, Keith Rimmer, Ben Moore and even Rob Orland all ring bells but unfortunately I have no photos. The canteen on the roof was always a place interest, I remember going up there, on Fire Brigade business of course, to watch the last flight of the Vulcan Bomber as it circled the city before landing at Baginton. It was also used as a Blood Donor Centre for workers, a good cause, plus the bonus of tea and biscuits! And yes Christmas parties, although I seem to remember going over to the British Legion Club in later years. Very happy days !!

Ron Webster is a name I've just remembered!

My dad worked at the GEC from pretty much after WWII at both Spon St & Stoke until he retired in the late 80's, he was also part of the "Works Fire Brigade" I bet you know him, his name was Bill. He's still with us 89 and going strong.

My word, someone remembers me! (I hope in a good way! ) Yes, I worked (I use the term loosely!) for Ben Moore and Keith Rimmer from 1984 to 1990, both great bosses. I knew Wally Gould too, but mainly from his connection as a committee member with the 49th Scout Group - and as dad of 'Stevie G' on this forum. I wonder if I'd recall you too John? The only name I can remember from the printed circuits section was Tony Fogg - would I have seen you up on the 3rd or 4th floors where we were on the Radio Test department? It would be great to hear from any others from those wonderful times in Spon Street. Cheers, Rob

Here's a new one to me and will be a familiar view for anyone like me brought up in the 70's - guessing this is around the late 70's. Really reminds you of the size of the GEC and the amount of surrounding buildings especially around Croft Road. Also visible is the lost row of houses on Queen Victoria Road that were opposite C&A going around on to Spon Street.

Good find Neil I can understand your confusion Neil but C&A was in the extension to Corporation Street and there was a considerable wedge of land between them and the houses in Queen Victoria Road occupied I think by the Rugby Autocar and a couple of temporary shops. The two roads divided at a point on the extreme right of the picture and you can just see the angle between the two. Likewise the area on the right is the land behind Croft Road which is out of picture and even further to the right.

Hi all. I used to work in the PCB area at Spon St, John Warwick was the boss and his boss David Walker I think, I remember Pete (portly & moustache) in the darkroom along with others. My name was a bit strange possibly remembered as Mick Stoy or Savvy or in its real format Mil

I'd previously assumed all TV and radio construction at Spon Street had ended in 1957 but I was apparently wrong as this press cutting from November 1966 shows:

Heres a great view of the works. Makes the land outside of the ring road around Vignoles Bridge seem very open.

I was struck to attempt a Then and Now for this image but I'm nowhere near as good as Rob. Notice the brick work section from the old GEC entrance that I've marked red on the newer image.

Oh well spotted. Little clues like that really anchor things to the present locations. From past experience, it will be demolished if I ever try to look for it again.