F. H. Lloyd & Company Limited - Social Activities
 
One of the highlights of the company's social calendar was the annual open day at James Bridge on the first Saturday in October. On the day, friends and relatives of employees were invited to come and look around the factory and admire the vast array of machinery. There were displays, demonstrations, and exhibits to be seen, including the tapping of furnaces, and the pouring of white hot steel into moulds. The event became extremely popular with up to 2,000 visitors attending each year.

Park Lane on the day of the 1957 works open day, 5th October, 1957. As usual a large number of visitors came to the event, which is why the street is full of cars. From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.

One of the highlights of the 1957 open day was the casting demonstration in the morning. From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.

Members of staff and their families waiting for a train at James Bridge Railway Station on a day out to Windsor and London on 21st June, 1958. From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.
Visitors inspecting the newly installed Froriep vertical borer in the machine shop on Saturday 4th October, 1958.
Another view from 1958. Visitors in the heavy foundry get a spectacular view as molten steel is poured into a mould.
Also in 1958, visitors to the test house see a demonstration of physical testing.
Another important event was the open house, held at the sports ground on the James Bridge site, every few years. The event, which took place in May 1975, consisted of tours of the works, and displays about F. H. Lloyd, and the 17 members of the Lloyd group. More than 1,000 visitors came along to view the displays which included exhibits about the group's contribution to offshore oil exploration and the nuclear industry.


One of the company's displays in a large marquee.
 

One of the factory tours.

  

Young visitors look at career opportunities.
The company's sports ground was also used for the annual horticultural show and gala, with attractions for youngsters and adults. For children there were swings, roundabouts, ice cream, train rides, a balloon race, and sometimes a circus. Adults could take part in the angling, bowling, table tennis, or shooting competitions. They could also watch professional wrestling by TV wrestling personalities, or take part in the miss Lloyd fashion competition. There were inter-departmental sporting competitions for the F. J. Hemming memorial cup, and a knitting competition for the special knitting award. There was a large marquee for the horticultural displays, and competitions with prizes including the F. N. Lloyd horticultural cup, and horticultural medals.
 

Part of the fairground at the 1965 show.
 

Finalists in the 1965 fashion contest. The winner on the right is Miss J. N. Minton.

Children enjoy a ride on a 7ΒΌ inch gauge live steam locomotive from Mr. M. C. Lloyd's Hilton Valley Railway. The driver is Fred Naylor, engineering instructor at James Bridge works.
Mr. M. C. Lloyd looks on as his locomotive 'Francis Henry Lloyd' is prepared for its first run of the day on the James Bridge site.

On the left behind the engine is Gary Griffiths with Brian Fellows on the right.

From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.


Mr. Winton, Walsall Parks Superintendent, judges the flowers in the marquee.


The apprentice's giant football match in 1958.
Other events included the annual children's Christmas parties, the annual welfare party, the annual apprentice prize distribution, the motor club dance, the annual buffet and dance, the annual works trip, and long service award presentations. Employees who received long service awards for 25 years service could join the over 25's club. Awards were given for employees who had worked at Lloyds for 25 years, 35 years, 40 years, and 50 years.
The Terry Sisters who were popular vocalists in the early 1960s were well received by an appreciative audience in the canteen in 1961.

Their performance included a rendition of their song 'Oh! You beautiful doll'.

From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.
At the 1962 long service awards presentation, dinner and cabaret, in the canteen, the audience was entertained by TV celebrity Sally Barnes, seen opposite. In 1971 the star of the show was Cardew Robinson. TV personalities also entertained at the annual welfare party in the canteen. In 1967 it was the turn of Joan Regan, seen below.
 
In 1966 the well known singing star Yana appeared in the canteen. From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.   Another celebrity who appeared in the canteen in 1966 was the violinist Max Jaffa. From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.
 
Two other well known personalities who appeared at functions in the canteen were Julie Rogers, and Ken Platt. From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.
Works Manager W. H. Taylor on the left is receiving his farewell gift from Works Director W. L. Beasley in 1966.

Mr. Taylor left to take a post at Markhams in Chesterfield.

From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.
 
Mr. Geoff Leek receives his apprentice prize from Mr. M. C. Lloyd in November 1966.   One of the children's Christmas parties in 1964, at the James Bridge factory.


A group of children at one of the Christmas parties in 1964.


Some of the 650 children who were entertained at the three Christmas parties at James Bridge in 1970.

In 1973 for the second consecutive year, the company entered the trade section of Darlaston Carnival. The company's creation 'The Southern Belle - Pride of F.H.L.', a faithful recreation of a western style locomotive, won first prize. From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.

On the locomotive are, left to right: Josie Evans, Sue Checketts, Barbara Dolan, and Jean Manns. Some of the apprentices are in the cab. From 'The Steel Casting', courtesy of Wendy Marston.
   
Return to
sporting activities		   Return to
the contents		   Proceed to
works photos