IT may have been 1939 and Britain may have been at war but when the boss of a Redditch needle factory heard the BBC complain about the quality of the stylus on their gramophone, he had to act.
That man was Captain Peter Keesey, managing director and a founder of the British Needle Company of Peakman Street and Victoria Street.
And from February 1 to March 11 Forge Mill Needle Museum is holding a special exhibition on this famous Redditch company, packed with old photos and memorabilia from the 1920s to the 1960s.
“This exhibition is a fascinating insight into the history of one of Redditch’s famous needle companies,” said museum curator Jo-Ann Gloger.
“Using previously unseen photographs, and material from the company’s own archives it shows the people who worked there from the 1920s through to the 1960s.
“If you or a family member worked there then the chances are you will be on one of the photos – and if you are you can have a copy.”
The exhibition also covers presentations and Princess Margaret’s visit in 1962 and visitors will have the chance to meet former employee John Gilmore who will be chatting to people at 2pm on Wednesday afternoons on February 7, 14 and 21.
And what of Capt Keesey and that dodgy needle?
On October 20 he was listening to the BBC when the announcer put on a Noel Coward record. After a while the man complained that the record sounded ‘thin’, but after changing the needle it sounded fine.
Aghast Capt Keesey wrote to the BBC saying: “During all the years which we have had the pleasure of supplying you, we cannot recollect a similar occurrence, and as we are most concerned to realise our needles (or one of the millions we have supplied you) should be unsatisfactory, we are wondering if by chance you happened to keep that particular needle.
If so we should very much like to examine it.”
Now that’s service!
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday: 11am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday: 1pm to 4pm.
