Judith Markall – Page 2 – What Was Pebble Mill?

Pebble Mill Cleaning Ladies

This photo is of the Pebble Mill cleaning ladies in the early 1970s.

Elsie Brown was the only full time ladies cloakroom attendant and did so for about 20 years.

Please add a comment if you can name others in the photo.

(Thanks to Judith Markall for sharing the photo).

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Keith Brook: ‘This may have been the moment when Sidey did his famous quote ‘From the cleaners downwards ……’

That lovely play on words earned him an annual invite to the girl’s Christmas canal barge party!!

They were a great crowd.’

Lynn Cullimore: ‘They were fantastic and so dedicated. Who remembers murial with the beehive hairdo? She took part in the barmaids arms series.’

Dharmesh Rajput: ‘Memories of cleaners – so in the final years of Pebble Mill – who remembers Sharon? She was lovely, but god help you if you were still working late when she needed to clean!’

Judith Markall: Elsie Brown was my mom and she loved working there. We were able to catch up during the day when I worked in Planning Office. She was the only lady that was there all day as the others only worked early mornings. Yes Keith they were a great bunch !

[Included are] Elsie Brown, Elsie Lloyd, Edie Harrison, Olive Taylor, Edna Cuneen, Also ladies I have no surnames for – Betty, Anne, Pat, Doreen. I see Phil Sidey is there and I can’t remember the name of the other Manager.

Planning Office 1970s

This photo of the Pebble Mill Planning Office dates from the early 1970s. In the photo are Janet Collins, Margaret Barton, Harvey Frost, Julie Knee, Ruth Taylor, Carol Bond, Marjorie Bailey and Judith Markall. Pat Childs, Keith Ackrill, Jill Chatfield, Yvonne Williams, Gloria Smith, and more.

Please add a comment if you can identify any of the others.

(Thanks to Judith Markall for sharing this photo).

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook Page:

Jane Green: ‘Harvey gave me my first contract – (interview in the canteen) and was my first boss. Lovely guy. Chain smoking was compulsory in those days I think!’

Judith Markall: ‘Martina Baggott,Paula and Jean ( can’t remember their surnames). It was taken during a planning office farewell to Sally who was leaving to have her first child.Harvey Frost had a beautiful singing voice. He sang at a lot of working mans clubs over in Stoke area where he lived. He was a fantastic guy.’

Lynn Cullimore: ‘David Shute on end extreme left. All so very young!’

Eurwyn Jones:’ Wasn’t Harvey Frost a singer? Anybody remember Sally Taplin?’

End of Pebble Mill party photos

Clara Hewitt, Janet Collins, Margaret Barton, Sheila Brown

Ruth Barretto, Kevin Nock (Head of Finance)

George Henson (manager Comms and Engineering), Ruth Barretto, John Grantham

Photos from Ruth Barretto, no reproduction without permission.

These photos were taken at the end of Pebble Mill party in summer 2004. The party was held in the back garden of Pebble Mill, behind the office block. There was a marquee, with different areas – named after different programmes, as well as games outside. A good time was had by all, despite the sadness of the occasion!

Thanks to Ruth for sharing the photos.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Janice Rider: ‘There was alot of controversy surrounding that party as many key former members of staff were left off the invitation list.’

Jean Palmer: ‘Kevin Nock my old boss. He tried to tell me to stop laughing as if I would stop that. The only way to get all those payment done was with a bit of a laughing. Yes I remember a lot of new staff where at the party. But I am pleased to say I had an invite and glad I went saw a lot of good friends.’

Stuart Gandy: ‘Can’t believe it’s almost 10 years ago now, It was a great party for sure, but for such a sad reason. I remember John Grantham from my very very first day at Pebble Mil in 1979l, that was before I was employed there as he did my first interview!’

Maurice Blisson: ‘It was a fabulous do. I remember seeing Michael Hancock and several of the retired news people. And the chocolate fountain was amazing!’

Judith Markall: ‘Takes me back to Carpenter Rd and Pebble Mill in the good old days – working alongside Janet and Margaret.’