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THE JOURNAL

OF THE PLYSU GROUP

No. 2

SUMMER

1971

A Report from the Chairman on ..

PLYSO'S BRIGHTEST YEAR


Whoosh!
WALLY WADE CELEBRATES 25 FIRE-FIGHTING YEARS ...
Wally Wade and four of his mates put in some overtime. Not in the tool shop, as it happens, but behind a hose beside the lake. Wally and his team staged a firefighting exercise-and an ExtraSpecial Job they made of it too. For the date, May 10, was an ExtraSpecial one in Wally Wade's calendar -his 25th anniversary as a volunteer fireman. BUT read his full story on page 2. AND read what Wally's wife, Hazel, thinks about it all.

We have just completed the most successful year in our history and last January we became a public company. You may recall I told you over the tannoy a few weeks ago that we had managed a profit for the year of 244,000. After tax and dividends this left us with 129,000, all of which has been ploughed back into the company. In fact during the year we had to raise from banks and from our shareholders the extra money required to pay for 358,000's worth of factory buildings, plant and machinery (including a 40,000 canteen).
This year we are going to continue our policy of expansion and you will see more new modern machines in the factory and there will be a continuing programme of new buildings. In this plastics business we cannot stand still because our competitors are always at our heels and if we do not continually improve our machinery and methods we shall be overtaken. It is the responsibility of management to decide what to make, what machinery to buy and how much extra factory space is required. It is the job of the sales force to sell the goods we manufacture at the right price so that the company can operate at a profit. But the best machines and the smoothest sales force in the world are no good at all without the men and women in the factory, and in so many cases it is the loyalty of the workers that makes the final difference between the success and failure of a business. We at Plysu are lucky with the quality of our employees at all levels and this has been the overwhelming factor in our success of the past. We must never forget the importance of the human element in all sectors of a business and whatever happens in the future, however large we become, however automatic our machines and processes, I confidently believe that the Plysu family will survive and flourish.

IN THIS ISSUE Saved by the Bell Shooting Times 2 3

Press Show unites Old Friends 4 Sports News 'We could have Danced .. .' Safety First Debut at Northpak The Plysu Fire Brigade's celebration line-up with Wally (in the white helmet), Brian Rogers, Brian Griffin, Don HiII and Keith Leadbeater. 5 6 7 8

SAVED BY THE BELL


Times of crisis seem to bring out the best ideas. For instance the Great Fire of London in 1666 gave birth to the Fire Brigade. The Woburn Sands Fire Brigade, 400 years later, is a small but valuable branch of the Fire Service, and I imagine the training is rather more complex than that undergone by our predecessors.
Today a fireman is trained in a multitude of jobs, M.1 rescue, breathing apparatus, different types of gas, petrol, chemicals, getting people out of lifts, heads between railings, etc. All these jobs require special training and equipment other than the standard things that one would expect to find on a fire tender, hose, water pump, ladders. What sort of people, at any time -day or night, wet or fine, snow or frost.vdrop what they are doing and

by Wally Wade
rush to the Fire Station to assist somebody in trouble. You know some of them. They work for us and of course we must thank the Plysu management for their co-operation during working hours. Let us give you a list:Bill Barnes, Jock Courts, Jackie Farmer, Don Hill, Keith Leadbeater, Brian Griffin, Brian Rogers. The late Jesse Cook was also a member of our Fire Brigade, as were retired members of the Company: J. G. Jackson, J. Harris, E. Fox, Sol Leadbeater (succeeded by Keith and two sons-in-law as well), and many others. It is a very full, sometimes hazardous, occasionally funny, 'spare time' occupation being a fireman, and I understand that my wife has a few comments on her own on the subject! Wally joined the National Fire Service on May 10, 1946, and became a member of the Bucks Fire Brigade two years later. He was promoted to leading fireman on February 1, 1961, and in 1966 received the Queen's Award for 20 years' long service and good conduct. He was promoted to Station Officer six months ago.

The

Fireman's
Wife
A fireman leads a hectic, often dangerous life, so who remembers the fireman's wife? Wally's wife, Hazel, sees the occasionally comic side of her fire-fighting husband's spare-time interest, and put pen to paper for us.

A fireman's wife Has a terrible life, On a cold winter's night When a chimney's alight He'll kiss her just once Then be's gone for the night. In his haste he will find He's forgotten his bike! While her man is so bold, Poor thing, she's so cold, For aJl through the night She has no one to hold. If he does not forget He's a fireman soon, I bet she'll fly off With Bob to the moon. Poor Wally, they'll leave Way down below, Perhaps he'll be singing His tale of woe. For up in the clouds His wife's gone with Bob, But a fireman mustGet on with his job. The flight was alright, But she thinks that she might Get back to her man, On t~is cold winter's night. She's back in his arms, Now-what's that they hear? It's a fire bell ringing loud and clear. HAZEL WADE.

FIRE! DO'S & DONT'S


Wally Wade advises: Always remember to have a damp cloth or towel at hand while frying or cooking. If the frying pan catches fire, throw the damp cloth or towel over and remove it as quickly as possible outside. Do not attempt to throw water on as this will cause severe splashing and will result in yourself getting burned. Make sure that all electric appliances are kept in first class condition, such as electric blankets, fires, cookers, wireless, television and clocks. Paraffin heaters, fires, stoves, etc.. make sure that these are kept from a build up of dust, sweet papers, daily papers and children's inflammable toys. Most of all do not attempt to refill while still alight. Last thing at night. make sure that all appliances are switched off. Close all doors to hallways and stairways, etc.

NIGHT SCHOOL
Fulbrook School has evening classes in the following:Shorthand Pottery Typing Keep Fit (M. & F.) Dressmaking Badminton Woodworking Any other normal subject can be arranged for a minimum of 10 people. Rosemary Furnival (Industrial) already has people interested in :English Literature English Language Guitar Playing Book Keeping Painting Domestic Science, but not enough to start a class. Interested people contact Rosemary on Ext. 252, or anyone on back page.

pheasants. We're in luck, they are flying close together. With no conscious effort, the gun is at the shoulder, the sight is giving just the right amount of lead to get both with one shot, the finger crooked around the trigger gives a gentle squeezeCLICK-what the ... 7 Quick, before they get too far, try the back trigger-panic-click! With the fracas ....____of getting out of the car you have forgotten to load the gun. Resigned to our fate we turn and head toward the car. That's it just at the end of this bridleway. Right now, try and keep the dog as clean as possible, so as not to get muck and filth all over the-Judy, come out of

that bloody pond!


Incidentally, it's not always like this, and anyone who is genuinely interested in having a beautiful walk through wet kale and ploughed up fields on a freezing cold day, let me know. We'll arrange a date and go bag some pheasants (during the season).

SHOOTING TIMES
PETER EVANS, Plysu's Work Study Engineer, describes the gentle art of rough shooting
So as not to upset any of the avid readers of Plysu People, I have deliberately avoided any reference to the many cuddly little things that spend their days going hoppittyskippity, hoppity-skippitty, hoppitty BANG! I have also included no reference whatsoever to the latest craze of shooting skinheads up the High Street. I will, however, try to conjure up a picture for you of a typical Saturday afternoon spot of rough shooting. Take a 12 bore shotgun, some cartridges, a Labrador, a pair of Wellington boots and a large game bag (large 7). Throw everything into the car and let's go. On arriving at your covetted few hundred acres of shoot you alight from your car amid a flurry of boots, bags and a Labrador, who is so eager to get started that she has made her exit over your head. You scream at her to "Come here you nice-doggy" at such a pitch that two brace of pheasants, a covey of partridge and a pair of snipe take to the air directly over the hedge that marks the boundary of your shoot. Model Dog After a couple of hours of heavy walking, the dog suddenly decides to become a model gun dog, investigating every likely spot, and just as you think it's about time to pack it in there is a sudden furry from the hedge, a staccato of wings. Into the air rises a beautiful brace of

Back to basics The basic equipment required can vary tremendously in cost from a 15 Greener single barrelled 12, to a pair of Luigi Franchi over and inver "Snipes" at a mere 1,500 a time. Once you have hammered your bank balance for the gun itself you make a visit to the local gunsmith and pay out another 500 for a hundred cartridges. For convenience, another
(continued on page 5)

Cartoon Quiz ~

This may, or may not, happen in the Plysu canteen. London "Evening News" cartoonist, Doug Smith, thought it a possibility but-having completed the drawing-declined to comment. So, over to you. Can you supply a caption to fit the cartoon 1 There's a 1 premium bond for the winning line. Entries to David Bennett by 31 st August.

PRESS SHOW UNITES OLD FRIENDS


Six years ago Suzanna Newman and Valerie Carr, both journalists, were working in Australia on different magazines. Occasionally they used to meet at press conferences. Then Suzanna left to join the talented Australian colony in London and, some months later, Valerie too, set off for a new career in London.
But neither knew where the other had gone and it took Plysu to bring them together again. The occasion was the first ever visit to Woburn Sands by Women's magazine writers to see Plysu housewares being made. The date was 3rd June. And the time was 11.15 a.m. when Mr. James Summerlin welcomed the group of lady writers who came by coach from London. Mr. Summer/in described how Plysu launched into the housewares market in 1952 with a completely new type of sponge mop. The original mop came from Plvsu's Australian connections and, referring to this, Mr. Summerlin said, 'I can't say too much in praise of the Australians.' As the reception broke up for a tour of the factory Suzanna Newman, who now writes on home topics for

A Trip to Tulip Land for Harry.

Tit Bits, said, 'I'm Australian. I was so pleased at the nice things he said about us.' That remark was heard by Valerie Carr, now with True Story, who hadn't spotted her in the gathering, and they recognised each other. So apart from an enjoyable visit they had a grand reunion.

Postbox
I have a suggestion concerning the publication of the Works paper. Instead of distributing it free, a small charge of 2~p should be made and given as a donation to either Cancer, Arthritis and Rheumatic Council or any other deserving medical research centre. I am sure that most readers would gladly pay. As you know, these centres do marvellous work and without them medical science would not be so far forward as to help and save lives of many humans and every 2~p given would be a great help. EMILY CUFFLlN (Containers) A generous thought-would others like to join Emily in supporting worthwhile causes?-EDITOR).

:.
Harry and Constance Crawshaw the canals in Amsterdam. by

YOUNG GENERATION

CORNER

shop!
My name is Kirsty Sinfield, I am now all of two and this is when I was nine months and much less sophisticated. I have been elected first member of the Young Generation Club by the Editor and my Dad, who is Derek Sinfield and works very hard at being my Dad. Other members are urgently needed, so will all proud mums and dads at Plysu please dig into your photo albums in time for the next issue. Age limit of the Young Generation Club is nought to five. You may buy, sell or barter freely through Plysu People's small ads. column. If you want to remain anonymous please ask for a box number. Copy for the next issue (see back page) by September 20th.
Viva Engine 1057 cc less sump and flywheel-15. Qualcast Panther Mower-4. Betty Freeman, Ext. 240. Mynah-bird cage, nearly new condition-2. John Perry, Protective Clothing. Baby's wooden drop side cot, colour lemon, waterproof mattress. As new -550. Derek Sinfield, Moulding Room. (Daughter Kirsty has outgrown it.)

Plysu's 1970 'Salesman of the Year', Harry Crawshaw, who represents Plvsu's Housewares Division in the West country and South Wales, spent four days as the Company's guest, with his wife, Constance, in Holland earlier this year. Harry came top in a sales competition to introduce five new lines previously sold by Bex. The reward was an all expenses paid week-end for two.

CANTEEN

FACILITIES

The Management has agreed that Employees can use the Canteen for any private function, e.g. wedding receptions, free of charge. Food, if required, must be provided by the user unless a.special arrangement is made with Gardner Merchant Limited who are the caterers. Regulations concerning the use of the Canteen and bookings must be obtained from Mr. N. A. Slocock or Mr. G. F. Walker.

Photographs appearing in

PL YSU PEOPLE can be ordered


from D. A. Bennett. Ext. 225.

4,.

TABLE

TOP RALLY

OUR

NEW

RECRUIT
which started work on 1 June. This is the first articulator to be purchased by Plysu. Most of the transport of Plysu containers is on contract through British Road Services. The articulated lorry has been designed to carry the maximum number of 1 gallon S.66 bottles. It can house 11,000 of these at a time or-alternatively, 1,800 R.70's. A valuable new recruit, indeed! .

MEET-if you haven't alreadyone of Plvsu's toughest, heaviest-some say handsomestnew recruits. WE REFER to AUD 631J. BETTER known, perhaps as a BLMC Laird. Weight unloaded: 20 tons. Trailer length 38 ft. Range: many, many miles, and at least 550 miles without refuelling. AN 0 the new recruit pictured here has an identical twin,

A table top rally will be held in the Canteen on Wednesday, 4th August, starting at 7 p.m. The event will be open to all employees, their wives or husbands, and family. An entrance fee of 25p will be charged and this will be given wholly as prize money, being split between first, second and third. So the more entries the bigger the prizes! Items required will be an Ordnance Survey Map No. 146, seventh series (or later editions), soft pencil. ruler, rubber, paper. There will be 6 sections of about 20 mins. each with an interval at the halfway stage. People wishing to enter, having little or no experience of navigation or map reading, will receive a helping hand before the rally. We hope as many people as possible will enter and it is intended, after the competition, and while results are being calculated, to hold a meeting to discuss the formation of a Plysu Motor Club. Organisers of this event are David Bennett (Ext. 225) and Graham Shaw (Ext. 264) and we would like to hear from entrants (particularly those who have never enjoyed the fun of a table top rally) before 28th July.

SHOOTING

TIMES

(from page 3)

Sport
PLVSU FISHING CLUB Annual GeneralMeeting held on 28th May, 1971 Officers unanimously elected; President-Mr. C. S. J. Summerlin (re-elected) ; Chairman-Mr. C. R. E. Phillips (re-elected); Secretary-Mr. J. H. Sorenson; Joint Treasurers-Mr. D. Caton (re-elected) ; Mr. P.West. It was announced that the winner of the Chairman's Challenge Shield was Mr. J. Sorenson with a carp of 101bs. Mr. Sorenson was presented with the trophy at the club's first competition held on Sunday, 20th June, 1971. The Secretary is to donate a challenge cup to the club to be awarded to the junior member who lands the best fish. The club had a membership of 45 last year. Membership fee per season; 50p adults, and 25p juniors.

PLVSU F.C. Our Company's football team celebrated its formation with a 2-1 win over local rivals, Zenith, earlier this year. Plysu opened the scoring through Garner with a well-taken shot. Wright put Plysu further ahead. In the second half Zenith pulled one back through Watson with a twenty yard shot which was way out of the reach of Wade in the Plysu goal. The same player had a chance to level the score when they were awarded a penalty but Watson had the spot kick well saved by Wade. Plysu; K. Wade (Captain), P. Relt, A. Cashin, S. Wright, D. Woollet, D. Shepheard, B. Barnett, V. Pattison, S. Garner, T. Cox, D. Larbey. Plysu F;C. have elected their Committee as follows;Chairman-Bill Barnett, Hon. Sec. & Treasurer-Dick Larbey, Team Manager-W. Magenty, Club Captain-to be elected, Fund - Raising Sec.-Ken Wade, Committee-Martin Tucket and Dave Woollett.

500 for a cartridge belt and, just in case you actually hit anything, 250 for a game bag. . Fully clothed and kitted out you are raring to go. Unfortunately there is nowhere available. You therefore have a number of altematives i=(1) Speak very nicely to a local farmer; (2) Speak very nicely to me; (3) Join a local syndicate (Duke of Bedford's etc.) at 500 a season; (4) Go poaching-risking a fine of up to 200 or 6 months at one of Her Majesty's Hotels. Recommended is either number 1 or number 3, so long as the local farmer doesn't already rent the shoot to me. Getting a gun But please, above all, get some tuition and please, please obtain a shotgun certificate from the Police before you enter the shop to buy your gun-and never buy a secondhand gun from anyone before you have a registered gunsmith. Check that the nitro-proofing has been tested and stamped on the gun, After you have everything sorted out, buy a puppy from a good working dog strain, feed one end, clean up after the other, train it for a couple of years, by which time you will understand why I enjoy this particular hobby of mine.

'We could hove donced, 011 night


. . . and about 250 people will bear this out. For that was the record attendance at the 26th June Dance in the Canteen. Congratulations to the organisers-Dora Buckthorpe, Audrey Britten, Midge Hollier and Tony Hollis-and all who contributed 91 towards the Plysu Social Club. A word of appreciation to the band, the 'Hatricks'). of Northampton, who have been booked for two more dances in the autumn. A page to some of you who enjoyed yourselves, and a thank you to all who turned up to make the evening such a success.
For Gilbert Waul (Moulding Shop), pictured here with his wife, Pearl, it was a great way to celebrate a birthday. For others, the perfect Saturday night out-as our cameraman records.

Left to right: Margaret Hollis, Marion Griffiths, Liz Woods, Sandra Lines, Diane Indge.

Josie Rowe,

Left to right: Barbara Himmel, Julie Farrell, Rosa Kirkup

Hilda

Barden, Gwen Hyde,

Left to right: Peter Anstee, Dave Caton, Vera Karney, Brian Guess, Madelaine Paine, Annette Guess, Helen Jarvis, Caroline Tredray, Avril Anstee, Diane Caton, John Tredray.

.. Yes, 'we could have danced all night' was the verdict. Following the evening's success, other dances are planned. So here's to the next time .

".

:-

Plysu people
Congratulations
Barbara Heffer of Millbrook, who has worked for 1 year in the Mop Room, was married on the 15th May to Jim Huggins. Congratulations and much happiness Barbara Huggins. To Elizabeth Keech, who was engaged to Roger Lines, formerly a carpenter with Plysu, on 2nd May. This is a double congratulations, since it was also Elizabeth's 21 st birthday. To Pamela Tarbox (Containers) who became engaged to Roger Macleod. To Helen Fisher, whom many from the Industrial Division will remember, on the birth of Jason on 26th May. Weight: 7 Ibs. 1 oz. To Ginny Richardson (formerly of the Print Room) on the birth of a boy on 19th May. Congratulations also to Roy Chapillon's daughter, Cheryl, who was married to Trevor Dimmock at. St. Mary's Church, Wavendon, on 19th June.

SAFETY FIRST
How safety conscious are you? This trophy has been introduced by Plysu and will be awarded each month to the Department which is most safety conscious. The result is decided on points, and the first awards, in May, went .to Containers (pictured), and in June it was a tie between Engineering (Tool Room, Stores & Carpenters) and Moulding Room-Stores.

Jim Passingham has been appointed to the position of Plysu Training Officer and will be responsible to Mr. Maxwell Summerlin. Jim who has been with us 14 years started in the Moulding Shop and later spent 2~ years in R.F. Maintenance. He then returned to the Moulding Shop at the time the first blow moulding machine was installed. He spent 4~ years on the night shift and was later appointed Night Manager. .Jirn'snew post will initially involve writing a training programme and a special induction programme for every new employee, irrespective of department. This will include Company history, a tour of the entire premises and a talk on safety, welfare and fire hazard, and will be followed by job induction, i.e. training for the particular job that each new employee will be doing. This scheme has to satisfy the Rubber and Plastic Industry Training Board and Jim has recently been on a two-week special course to prepare him for his task.

Welcome
We offer a warm welcome to the following who joined us at Plysu during April and May: Containers Stripping: Christine Bentall, Henrietta Bonar, Enid Bryant. Mabel Burnage, Evelyn Carter, Sylvia Fountain, Joan Nordsted, Yvonne O'Dell, Peggy Palmer, Teresa Roberts, Olive Simms, Nancy Smith, Doreen Stevens. Containers Packing: Paul Ward. Containers Transport: Waiter Browne. Products General: Bruno Comerford. Engineering: Keith Elms, Arthur Gibson, James Ray. Print Room: Kathleen Fisher. Housewares Packing: Vivien Hancock. Products Moulding: Rodney Lancaster, Michael Ward. Products Chipping: Albert Potts, Anthony Stonebrook.

Obituaries
The many who knew him at Plysu were saddened to learn of Jesse Cook's death in May, at the age of 61, after a long illness. Born at Husborne Crawley, Mr. Cook was Plvsu's Security Officer for 16 years. In his spare time he was an active member of the local fire brigade, to which he contributed 10 years' valuable service. He leaves a wife and three daughters. His close friend and colleague, Wally Wade, told us: "Jesse was well known and liked by all who knew him during his long service with Plysu. As a member of the fire brigade ho became a first class driver and fireman. Jesse will be sadly missed by all." We also deeply regret to report the deaths of:Dora Fairey (Containers) on 31 st March. Dora was a Sunday School teacher at Ampthill Baptist Church for 28 years. Ken Tulit (Moulder) who passed away on 29th May.

Welfa~re
People' sometimes want to contact Mr. C. R. E. Phillips at the weekend or evenings and he would like you to cut out his home telephone number for your use: WOBURN SANDS 3472

R70 MAKES.DEBUT AT NORTHPAK


Our new R.70 five-gallon container was the central feature of our stand at the Northpak Exhibition in Manchester recently. The Exhibition was aimed principally at attracting InIndustrial and Commercial usersfrom the South Midlands up to the Scottish Border (writes John Speller). The stand desiqn was most attractive with, as its main feature, the R.70 stacked on pallets to form the walls of the main office area. The rest of the stand was given over to a long side-shelf display of the smaller, containers in our range from 2 gallons down to 20 ounce sizes. Credit for the stand design goes to Plvsu's Chief Designer, Mike Dickins, and his design staff. During the period of the Exhibition the company's two Northern representatives, Peter Malia and Jack Martland, were on duty providing answers to questions and offering advice about matters concerning our polythene containers, in company with Mr. Eastaff and the writer.

The true. success of an Exhibition cannot be assessedin terms of actual orders taken but by the increased business that may be done by this Division of the Company over the coming months. There is certainly no doubt that the 5-gallon R.70 sales will benefit by this Northern "debut."

snap!
You don't have to ride a camel in Timbuktu or a yak in Yakistan this summer. All you really need, possibly, is a deckchair at Skegness and a camera. Or a rail/sea/air ticket to Anywhere in the County of Fun. Because that is what holidays are all about. Take a camera with you. Look through your prints when you get back and pick out the one that sums up for you the high point of your holiday. Let us borrow the print (black and white only, please). Tell us where it was taken and who (if anybody) is pictured. Then let us know, in not more than 20 words, why this picture reminds you of the high point in your holiday. There's a 1 premium bond for each picture we publish in our next issue. Closing date for entries: 20th September.

UP TO STANDARD
Due to rapid expansion of the Plysu Group of Companies it has been necessary to expand the technical services. To this end the Standards Department has been strenqthened by the appointment of Mr. H. D, Blake as Quality Control Manager, a position he has held for the past 7 years at the Hale End factory of BXL Limited. The Department has recently been moved into what was the old Mop Room and the photograph shows the new layout, and increased space. Shown in the photograph are Gerry Blake, Roger Milton (Chief Inspector) and Dick Larbey who are responsible for establishing the quality levels of the various mouldings and assemblies. New equipment is continually being installed to maintain our high standard and to ensure that first class goods are sent to our customers.

Know your Editor


We welcome news and views, comments and carps. That is what journals are all about. This is your journal and your opportunity to put pen to paper. Let us have your holiday snap (page 8), a line for the cartoon quiz (page 3), a photograph of your bonny baby (page 4), and any other contribution you wish to make for our next issue. We plan to appear again this Autumn. Information to: Ethel Best-Housewares Edna Ingram-Containers Kay Norman-Industrial Alan Perry-Computer Room Claude Phillips-New Office off Canteen Hall Derek Sinfield-Moulding Shop

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