Staveley, Swimming Pool, Ringwood Park c.1960

Photo ref: S320005

I left school in 1971 and went to work in James Smith factory. I worked there for around 13 years. I used to play football for the ladies team, which practiced on the field at the back of the factory. I can remember when the miners strike was on and some of the miners ran through the factory. I remember all the Christmas parties we went to. When the girls got married or had a baby we all collected together and bought ...see more

My dad worked at the factory for many years in the stores - he always said how he loved it. At the same time of working many years at the factory he was the landlord of the Royal Oak Pub at Mastin Moor. He worked in the factory during the day and the pub at night and weekends. He was a lovely, lovely man who would help anyone he could and I still miss him after 27 years. His name was John Gardiner but to his friends he was 'Jack'. RIP, dad.

I loved this school, having many happy memories, so if anyone is out there who knew me please get in touch. I was Magsy Evans, then went to live in Lincoln in 1965. I had good times with Val Dickens, Dianne Hilton and Rosemary Harrison.

My first job on leaving school was at Smiths in Staveley. Recently found a diary I kept that year and my first take home pay was £25. I pressed the insides of the seams on arms of RAF jackets on what seemed like a conveyor belt that went on forever. Really did not like the job at all, same thing day in day out it was horrendous, not a good job to start working life. Smiths is no longer there. No idea when it was demolished.