Whilst looking for information on a local industry, I stumbled upon http://www. gracesguide.co.uk/Main_Page The site's introduction says "Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 107,736 pages of information and 149,663 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them." I haven't delved too deeply yet, but I'm sure it could be useful to some Ann
Oh dear, AnnB, another place to tempt & engage me when I should be ...oh I can't now remember, but somewhere.! Maybe not, I keep getting 'server not found!' have deleted 'main page but still same reply. okay, got it now.
I did think of you Terry - then I forgot to look for Knighton as I got sidetracked (as per usual ) Ann
Glad you got there Ma, and sorry to put temptation in your way - I've been very good and held off looking too hard until I have more time...... Ann
Thanks for that Ann, when living in the UK I worked for Hoffmann Mfg Co in Chelmsford Essex a month under 25 years. I have for some time tried to remember what I consider was doom day for Hoffmanns, the timeline history on the site gave me the answer, 1969. Hoffmanns were amalgamated with two other bearing companies Ransome & Marles and Pollards in 1969 at the behest of a government formed body The Industrial Reorganisation Corporation, two companies who couldn't make a decent precision Ball Bearing. That was when thing started on the downhill plunge.