MEMBERS of the Studley Needle Heritage Project have launched a desperate plea for old photographs and illustrations of the factories and workers that made the village famous.
In particular they’re after the demolition of old and building/opening of new factory buildings on the Halls/Central site and Victoria Works, and bills, advertising and signage for Amalgamated Needles & Fish Hooks Ltd and for The English Needle and Fishing Tackle Co Ltd and Needle Industries.
Also welcome would be pictures of the Entaco social club in the 30/40s, early production of surgical needles & syringes c 1939, the opening of the Entaco canteen in 1939, use of old workshops at Victoria Works as workers flats c 1940s, The Entacotainers – especially the early days c 1940s/50s, visits and awards from the Needlemakers Guild, from the late 1940s onwards, the arrival of Polish migrant workers, late 1940s, the satellite factory at Port Glasgow c1947, the opening of Entaco recreation ground with children’s fancy dress competition 1948, visit of journalists to Needle Industries – OEEC 1950, closure of Washford Mills Redditch and move back to Studley 1951, demolition of Central Works 1981 and anything to do with company social/health schemes – polio vaccinations, pension scheme, breast scans etc.
Anyone who can help should contact Joy Petrum at [email protected]
