1895
Percy Hayes started work at Twyfords in 1895. He retired 55 years later on 15 April 1950. He worked at Twyfords Ratingen, near Dusseldorf, Gemany in 1907. More here > https://tldrify.com/1dcc
1920s
Keep fit in the Gym Club in the Cliffe Vale Works Canteen |
| Gym Club in the Canteen at Twyfords - probably 1920s Facing the stage and proscenium arch designed by the famous local designer Gordon Forsyth. Notice the portrait of Thomas William Twyford, top right |
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| Twyfords fireclay works canteen Stage and proscenium arch Designed by the local designer Gordon Forsyth |
1947
George Harold Viggars with his wife Millicent and son Robert in 1947 on HMS Cilicia on the way to India. George was a Ceramics Engineer. |
| photo : from Ben Viggars |
1950
Percy Hayes retires after 55 years at Twyfords! 15 April 1950
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| Evening Sentinel article Many thanks go to Selwyn Rowley for providing this piece of history |
1953
Retired Employees - Smoking Concert.
1967
Ted Brimfield (Sales Manager) and Munroe Blair (Product Manager) |
| Casting demonstration Ted Brimfield and Munroe Blair 'Mina' 14 x 11 inch washbasin mould and bottles of slip |
1969
Twyfords office staff 1969 |
| Twyfords office staff 1969 John Edwards, front row centre |
1972
Mr. Samuel Edge retires after 51 years service as a packer
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| Sam Edge retires 1972 Evening Sentinel article Many thanks go to Selwyn Rowley for providing this piece of history |
1984
From the Evening Sentinel, 24 August 1984. |
| Two employees started and finished work on the same days after 51 years at Twyfords! Evening Sentinel report 24 August 1984. Many thanks go to Selwyn Rowley for providing this piece of history |
1988
In recognition of loyal service - presentations made to employees with long service (29 or more years) by Alan Heeks, MD at the time.
The recording in March 1998 - "Lenny swept into the factory at 4.30pm with a huge film crew - make-up, lighting, cameras, sound, wardrobe, continuity, gaffer, gofer, grip, choreographer and researcher. Fully made-up as his new character Rikkie Park, he chose three volunteers from the factory casting shops and set about making them famous in an hilarious sketch. Volunteers Lee harmer, Alan Gregory, and Paul Oakes gave their all, singing and dancing in a well-planned routine. The team worked solidly till about 9.30pm, with Lenny making his final piece to camera outside the factory entrance, in the dark. The following week he continued the make over of the lads at The Royal Theatre in Hanley. After rehearsing all day, they recorded a routine to the tune of Putting on the Ritz. Then the Lenny Henry Show was recorded live in the theatre with Lee, Alan and Paul (the now famous Twyford Tappers) taking centre stage. Brilliant fun, brilliant time, brilliant memories."
Munroe Blair finds a Twyfords Sky Blue Fireclay bath in Twyfords Museum and enjoys a water-less soak!
"Watery but never wet, this compelling documentary promises to put aspirations for Western levels of water provision and sanitation on the map for developing countries. The film interweaves concerns about local water shortages, global water scarcity and toilet history with aspirations for grand projects and excellent loos.
Our Twyfords factory shoot proved to be an exhilarating experience. Witnessing great numbers of newly crafted loos moving on conveyors over head, spookily humanoid robot sprayers, the kilns and workers smoothing the clay was an unexpected treat. We got so much great footage here, far more than we could fit into the film, so we thought we'd share it with you here instead.
Manager Terry Woolliscroft was something of an inspiration too; such was his knowledge of toilet manufacturing history and enthusiasm for the great sanitary leap forward provided by the flushing loo. We instantly became fans. His infectious eagerness made such a refreshing change from the usual cynicism about growth, industrial production and all that it offers. Tiba could rest assured, if Terry had his way everyone would have fabulous loos.
Terry Woolliscroft is an award-winning international public speaker and provides presentations and talks on the humble toilet and more besides."
Brand new series on Blighty : Monday 8 June 2009
"How much are you allowed to tell me about the Queen's toilet?" Joly asked Mick, who's worked at Twyfords for 22 years and "knew his toilets inside out".
"Very little," said Mick. Good man. Capital punishment still exists for treason you know.
Sentinel Report here> http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/tv-review-britain-8211-blighty/story-12479448-detail/story.html
And here> http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/tv-presenter-flushes-local-factory/story-12500503-detail/story.html
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| Announcement placed in the local paper - the Evening Sentinel |
1998
Twyfords Toilet Tappers with Lenny Henry 1998. Lee Harmer, Alan Gregory Paul Oakes, onstage at the Theatre Royal, Hanley, performing 'Putting on the Ritz' . Also live that night was Robbie Williams! And then the recording of it all went out on BBC1, in Lenny Henry's show 'Lenny Goes to Town' prime time, Saturday Sept 5th 1998.A complete 40 min program filmed live in 1998
from the Theatre Royal Hanley,
with Robbie Williams and Twyfords Tappers
The recording in March 1998 - "Lenny swept into the factory at 4.30pm with a huge film crew - make-up, lighting, cameras, sound, wardrobe, continuity, gaffer, gofer, grip, choreographer and researcher. Fully made-up as his new character Rikkie Park, he chose three volunteers from the factory casting shops and set about making them famous in an hilarious sketch. Volunteers Lee harmer, Alan Gregory, and Paul Oakes gave their all, singing and dancing in a well-planned routine. The team worked solidly till about 9.30pm, with Lenny making his final piece to camera outside the factory entrance, in the dark. The following week he continued the make over of the lads at The Royal Theatre in Hanley. After rehearsing all day, they recorded a routine to the tune of Putting on the Ritz. Then the Lenny Henry Show was recorded live in the theatre with Lee, Alan and Paul (the now famous Twyford Tappers) taking centre stage. Brilliant fun, brilliant time, brilliant memories."
 |
| Twyfords Toilet Tappers with Lenny Henry 1998 |
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| Twyfords Toilet Tappers with Lenny Henry 1998 |
2002
Munroe Blair finds a Twyfords Sky Blue Fireclay bath in Twyfords Museum and enjoys a water-less soak!
2002
Fireclay Factory closed 22 August 2002 : The fireclay factory (opposite the Cliffe Vale head office) was run down and eventually closed on 22 August 2002 when all production was moved to Allia (another Sanitec Factory) in Limoges, France. |
| Twyfords Fireclay Factory, Cliffe Vale Employees group photo on the day it closed |
2008
Sanitary ware for all. From : 'Flush It'"Watery but never wet, this compelling documentary promises to put aspirations for Western levels of water provision and sanitation on the map for developing countries. The film interweaves concerns about local water shortages, global water scarcity and toilet history with aspirations for grand projects and excellent loos.
Our Twyfords factory shoot proved to be an exhilarating experience. Witnessing great numbers of newly crafted loos moving on conveyors over head, spookily humanoid robot sprayers, the kilns and workers smoothing the clay was an unexpected treat. We got so much great footage here, far more than we could fit into the film, so we thought we'd share it with you here instead.
Manager Terry Woolliscroft was something of an inspiration too; such was his knowledge of toilet manufacturing history and enthusiasm for the great sanitary leap forward provided by the flushing loo. We instantly became fans. His infectious eagerness made such a refreshing change from the usual cynicism about growth, industrial production and all that it offers. Tiba could rest assured, if Terry had his way everyone would have fabulous loos.
Terry Woolliscroft is an award-winning international public speaker and provides presentations and talks on the humble toilet and more besides."
2009
Dom Joly stars in Made In Britain with Mick Moran from TwyfordsBrand new series on Blighty : Monday 8 June 2009
"How much are you allowed to tell me about the Queen's toilet?" Joly asked Mick, who's worked at Twyfords for 22 years and "knew his toilets inside out".
"Very little," said Mick. Good man. Capital punishment still exists for treason you know.
Sentinel Report here> http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/tv-review-britain-8211-blighty/story-12479448-detail/story.html
And here> http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/tv-presenter-flushes-local-factory/story-12500503-detail/story.html