TODAY’S Nostalgia spread will conjure vivid memories for employees of a leading Colchester business.
Former toothpaste tube manufacturer Betts was once one of the town’s biggest employers and had its headquarters in Ipswich Road.
Its factory, since demolished and replaced with houses, opened in 1953 and remained a key part of Colchester life until relocating to smaller premises off Severalls Lane in 2008.
Hive of activity - workers are busy in the Betts factory
Cyril Elmes is one of those with fond recollections, having worked for the company for more than three decades.
The 82-year-old kindly sent us the pictures on this spread.
“Betts was very well-known in the town and a wonderful, interesting place to work,” he said.
Great banter - Cyril Elmes was dressed up by his colleagues after being given the important role of 'tea trolley marshal'. "We had great fun and lots of laughs," said Mr Elmes
“It was a pioneering company in its field and I was personally involved in the first production of laminate tubes in the UK.
“Overall, I’ve got amazing memories and was fortunate enough to work with hundreds of people.
“That was just in my department and lots of them became great friends.
Pastures new - shop floor workers celebrate the retirement of colleague Lionel Rains. Mr Elmes replaced him as foreman
“It’s incredible how things changed over the years.
“Technology advanced so much and the amount of tubes we produced rocketed.”
Mr Elmes, who lives in St Lawrence Road, Colchester, served in the Army and had other short-term jobs before joining Betts in the late 1960s.
Magic milestone - Cyril Elmes (left) and Jack Forman celebrate the 25th anniversary of Betts in Colchester. Mr Elmes said: "Jack was well-known and well-liked. He taught me so much of what I needed to know and was known at the factory as 'Mr Betts'"
He was based in the decorating department, working his way from being a setter to a foreman to a manager.
Towards the end of his career, he was asked to run a different factory in Nenagh, in County Tipperary, Ireland.
He did this for a year before leaving and moving onto pastures new in the late 1990s.
Party time - Cyril Elmes (third from the right) at the retirement party of foreman Lionel Rains
Mr Elmes, a Gazette reader since the paper was launched in 1970, has been married to Jennifer for 57 years and the couple have two daughters, Julie-Anne and Tracy-Anne, and four grandchildren, Dan, Adam, Joe and Lauren.
The former Betts premises off Severalls Lane are now owned by Albéa Tubes UK.
Do you have old photos to share with our readers?
Watchful eye - a Betts employee keeps a close eye on proceedings
Whether they are of your old workplace or a place or event, we’d love to see them.
Email matt.plummer@newsquest.co.uk
Vital roles - workers on the factory floor
Production line - workers on the factory floor
A design of the times - this worker plays his part in the production line
Festive fun - every year the company put on a big Christmas party. This was for all employees and their families
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