| George, who was 100 years old in June 2010, used to work for Marston's, and spent
much of his working life at the Sunbeam works in Paul Street.
Sadly George died in March 2012. He
must have been one of the few people still alive, who remembered the
factory when
the excellent motorbikes and bicycles were produced. The Sunbeam
products were well known and loved in many countries, and were a byword
for quality. George's recollections give an insight into what it was
like to work in a factory that was still run much as it was in Victorian
times. George joined Sunbeam in December 1923, only five years after the death of the
founder, John Marston. This was still a time when sales of Sunbeam
bicycles and motorcycles were high and the company was continuing its
success in competition events and the Isle of Man T. T. The factory was
then owned by Nobel industries, which became a part of I.C.I. in 1928,
when the workforce numbered about 600. Also in 1928, Elm works opened on
the Penn Road. It included the Service and Spares Departments, the
Competition Department, a new canteen and assembly hall. It was also
used by the successful works sports and social club. The Managing
Director at the time was Sidney Bowers, who was
appointed by Nobel Industries in 1919, and remained in charge until his
illness in 1931. Bicycle and motorcycle production continued until 1937
when falling sales, and outdated machinery made the operation
unsustainable. In order to make the business profitable and protect the
workforce, I.C.I. decided to dispose of that part of the business and
concentrate on building radiators. The motorcycle and bicycle side was
sold to Associated Motor Cycles. Most of the outdated machinery was
scrapped and the factory re-equipped for radiator production.
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