Industrial Memories

In this section you will find a collection of memories gathered from the men and women who worked in Frome’s industries. These industries include firms such as Beswicks, Benchairs, Butler and Tanner, and Singer’s.

Georgina Phillips talks about working for Cuprinol in Frome
Georgina Phillips talks about working for Cuprinol in Frome 735 768 Mercer Design

Georgina Phillips started working for Roads Reconstruction but then had a family. When her son was ten she went to work for Cuprinol

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Allan Fairhurst tells us about the years he spent working at Ellenbray Press
Allan Fairhurst tells us about the years he spent working at Ellenbray Press 514 480 Mercer Design

Allan Fairhurst tells us of his work at Bray’s Press which later became Ellenbray Press and is now a well-known shop in the centre of Frome

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Cliff Ellis talks about the early days of the printing firm D.R. Hillman and Co
Cliff Ellis talks about the early days of the printing firm D.R. Hillman and Co 789 768 Mercer Design

Cliff Ellis describes his mother’s work for Hillman’s and tells how Donald Hillman expanded the business over time

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Ian Spearing recalls his work with Hodder and Sons in Frome
Ian Spearing recalls his work with Hodder and Sons in Frome 754 768 Mercer Design

Ian Spearing talks about his carpentry and joinery training with Hodder and Sons where he learnt skills which included coffin making and coach building

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Daisy Bane talks about her employment at Houston’s on Houston Way
Daisy Bane talks about her employment at Houston’s on Houston Way 704 768 Mercer Design

Daisy Bane remembers how she enjoyed her work as a young employee at Houston’s cloth mill, where her job was to set up the looms

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Jim Wykes looks back at his working life with Nott’s Industries
Jim Wykes looks back at his working life with Nott’s Industries 332 544 Mercer Design

Jim Wykes remembers Nott’s Industries at Merchants Barton in Frome, where he started as an toolmaker. Nott’s manufactured Carley floats

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Ray Trowbridge discusses his work in the local building trade
Ray Trowbridge discusses his work in the local building trade 617 768 Mercer Design

Ray Trowbridge tells us about his apprenticeship at Parsons in Trowbridge and working at Wallington Weston, before starting out on his own

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Jim Garrett looks back over his working life at Singer’s
Jim Garrett looks back over his working life at Singer’s 442 518 Mercer Design

Jim Garrett recalls his apprenticeship and career with Singer’s in Frome and the improvements in pay and working conditions over that time

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Richard Withey recalls his time at the Singer’s foundry in Waterloo, Frome
Richard Withey recalls his time at the Singer’s foundry in Waterloo, Frome 1024 894 Mercer Design

Richard Withey worked at Singer’s like the two generations of his family before him. He describes how he started as a toolroom apprentice

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Rodney Clarke and Robert Latchem talk about Singer’s in Frome
Rodney Clarke and Robert Latchem talk about Singer’s in Frome 1024 901 Mercer Design

Both Rodney Clarke and Robert Latchem started at Singer’s in the 1950’s as trainee draughtsmen. Here, they tell us about their working lives

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