Whiteley Electrical Radio Co Ltd

The photograph dated January 1970 from Whiteley Electrical Radio Co Ltd childrens Christmas party was recently discovered by Joe Phelan who is working on the old factory site, Portland Mill building on Victoria Street, Mansfield, prior to the building being renovated and turned into flats. He passed it to me as I expressed an interest in the work he was doing on the site, my connection with the building was that I worked there from August 1966 to August 1968 in the Inspection Department and the Drawing Office.

Are you on this photograph or perhaps a parent of one of the children? It would also be interesting to hear any memories from former employees of Whiteleys.

Comments about this page

  • Hi, my dad, Mike Short, worked at Whiteley for around two years from 1969 to 1971. We lived in a house next to the factory. I am in the photograph of the Christmas party. I lost my dad in 1979 and it’s lovely to come across photos like this. Does anyone remember him?
    Pam Haley

    By Pam Haley (04/10/2023)
  • Hi Sue,
    Stuart Mallinder here about the pension fund, yes.
    I left in 1973 and did pay a pension but only for 3 years and is now worth about 86p a week so I have
    just forgot about it! Hope that helps.

    By Stuart Mallinder (21/04/2023)
  • Hi everyone, I worked at Whitley’s from 1974 under the eye of John Grout, worked with Mavis, Betty, Shirley, Margaret. The question I want to ask is did we pay into a pension?

    By Sue cross was peach (20/04/2023)
  • Hi Everyone from Whiteley Electrical Radio in Mansfield, its great to recall so many names and memories, as stated previously on a Post I was at Whiteley Elec from August 1966 till September 1995, I would like to catch up with a re-union, we should try and arrange ? is Brenda and Ray Smith still around also Keith Turner and Keith Williams who I recall worked in the Set Room, also Steve and Shirley Simms ? Best wishes to Everyone. Graham Collis

    By GRAHAM COLLIS (09/02/2023)
  • Georgia, are you able to scan the photos and add them as a page to our web site?
    Editors

    By Editors (23/03/2022)
  • Hi everyone, I have quite a lot of photos from Whiteley electronics from my grandad and even photos from the gold watch presentation.
    What can I do with these photos please?

    By Georgia Carter (19/03/2022)
  • Hello Kathryn, Stuart Mallinder here, I joined Whiteleys in 1964 till 1968 and then returned in 1970 to 1973.
    I think I can remember your Grandfather Ron, who I think was in the Tool room as a Tool fitter, but I am going back
    50 plus years, hope that gives you some information.

    By Stuart Mallinder (24/11/2020)
  • Hi Graham
    I have tried to contact you via this webpage but I am informed that the email address they have for you keeps bouncing messages back. If you are interested in any reunion meetings that we intend to hold when current conditions allow please get in touch via the editors of this site and they will pass on my contact details to you.

    Look forward to hopefully hearing from you in the near future.

    Best regards Nick

    By Nick Eley (11/11/2020)
  • Hello Kathryn
    Sorry I can’t help with your enquiry about your grandpa, I think he must have been before my time there. Hopefully someone reading this page may be able to help.
    Nick

    By Nick Eley (07/11/2020)
  • Hello. I am interested if anyone here remembers my Grandpa Ron Foster? He probably left Whiteley’s before most of you were there but I just thought I’d ask.

    By Kathryn Rowles (02/10/2020)
  • Great to read these Posts, it really brings back so many memories of all those years ago. I worked with John Musgrove and Mick Buckland in Assembly B, also Bob Holmes, Harry Spencer, Alan Langham. Does anybody recall Annie Feveryer, Jack Evans on Radio Sondes, also Mary Moody and the Post Office Inspector Walt Taylor ?

    By Graham Collis (15/09/2020)
  • My first job. 1979 working as estimator for Keith Winterton (top man). The raft of names mentioned bring some very fond memories.

    By Andrew Elms Paraparaumu, NZ (19/08/2020)
  • Hello all. Can anyone help with finding out the date(s) when Whiteley factory chimney was demolished? The information that I have so far is that it was reduced in height a couple of times before it was completely demolished. Anyone confirm this and add any dates?
    Many thanks
    Nick

    By Nick Eley (23/07/2020)
  • Hello Patricia
    Thank you for filling in more details of Whiteleys and your memories of working there. Our paths must have crossed briefly in 1968 – I left in early September ’68. It has been interesting catching up with Tony after 52 years and congratulations to you both on a long marriage also.
    Mentioned names once again ring a bell and memories of the factory are still with me. Such a shame Portland Mill has burned down.
    Looking forward to meeting up with Tony and Kev in the near future too.
    Regards
    Nick

    By Nick Eley (16/07/2020)
  • Hi Nick,
    Patricia Marriott here, Tony Marriott’s wife. I worked in assembly C with Frank Hurt as my boss. I think I was there from early in 1968 to late 1969. Many fond memories of working at Whiteley’s, one of which was meeting and getting married. We’re still together after 47 years in August.
    I remember Chris Fordham, Duncan, little Steve, Jeanette, who was engaged to Harold, and also Cynthia Reader. We were always in contact with her, and sent letters and Christmas Cards. But, for the last two years, we haven’t heard from her. I have rung her a few times, but no contact has been made unfortunately.
    I also remember Steve Cropper he was funny, he used to make me laugh doing his Tommy Cooper impressions. I also remember Alan and Dave, Ashley Holland, Geoff Shooter, Steve Borsuck and Bob Gill,
    Nice that you and Tony are in touch.
    Regards,
    Patricia.

    By Patricia Marriott (05/07/2020)
  • Hi Graham, the names you added bring back memories of the two years that I worked there.

    All the best, Nick

    By Nick Eley (03/06/2020)
  • Hi Everyone. I am Graham Collis and worked at Whiteleys from 1966 t0 1995, many great memories are remembered from working in Assenmbly B with Norman Jepson, Tom Barnes, Harry Roley, then working on Inspection Testing lots of different Post Office products. I also worked in the Speaker Room with Jack Black.
    It would be great to have a meet-up with as many of you as possible what a Re-Union that would be.
    Best wishes Everyone. Graham.

    By Graham Collis (26/05/2020)
  • Hi Glenda, thank you for adding details of your time at Whiteleys. We look as though we were both there in the 60s.
    I was there ’66 to ’68 working in Inspection and also Drawing Office, but although I visited a number of departments I never managed to visit the main offices.

    Best regards Nick Eley

    By Nick Eley (12/05/2020)
  • Hi all my name is Glenda, I worked at Whiteley in the l960s, working in the sales office as a shorthand typist. Mr Durant was my boss and Harold Piper also worked in the office.
    I used to take memos all over the factory to a Mr Lane, Mr Fox and down to the packers.
    I enjoyed my job tremendously.

    By Glenda smith (05/05/2020)
  • Hi Tony. Thanks for your valuable additions to this section.
    If I remember rightly we both attended West Notts College at the same time. I also started in 1966 on Inspection and left in the summer of 68.
    I am in touch with Kev Collins at the moment. Be good for the three of us to catch up at some point if you are interested?
    Best regards Nick.

    By Nick Eley (05/05/2020)
  • Hi Nick
    I commenced work at Whiteleys in 1966 and started work on “inspection” under the watchful eye of Mr. Lane. I worked in most departments fault finding and testing almost everything manufactured by the company. In addition, the company encouraged further education which enabled me to attend West Notts Tech in order to gain qualifications.
    The whole experience gained at Whiteleys was invaluable and most enjoyable for an young electronics nerdy like myself. I have loads of people to thank for support and being good friends during my time there namely :- Albert Porter, Bob Holmes, Frank Hall, Cyril Lane, Ivor Green, Malc Daniels, Brian ? Vernon Slaney, Walter Fox, Cynthia Reader, Mr. Barnes, Geoff Shooter (sadly deceased), Geoff Vardy, Bob Gill, Steve Cropper, Alan, Dave, Graham Travis, Kevin Collins and loads more who’s names escape me, apologies for that.
    The most important person I met there however, was Patricia Coupe, she worked in assembly C under the auspices of Frank Hurt. It was Cynthia’s suggestion that I should ask Pat out and we’re still together after 46 years of marriage.
    I reluctantly left Whiteleys in 1973 and have worked in the electronics industry until my retirement 10 years ago. I am still drawing a pension from the company of £2-46p per year ! Oh, sorry, that’s gross, I still have to pay tax in it !

    By Tony Marriott (13/02/2020)
  • I worked at Whiteleys from 1980 to 86 in the inspection dept under Frank Hall and Ian Dyer.
    Started off in the transformer room and then in the electronics assembly depts.
    Fond memories
    Paul Jones – Buxton

    By Paul Jones (19/09/2019)
  • Hi Liz. Sorry but no idea of the exact date it was in the Chad but from details on the front it was sometime in January 1970.
    Nick

    By Nick Eley (11/06/2019)
  • Hi Do you know when the photograph was in the Chad? The Museum holds some of the negatives and might be able to help if you have the details.

    By Liz Weston (11/04/2019)
  • Hi, Would you happen to know of any photos of Whiteleys chimney? My grandparents had a picture published in the Chad with it as at the time they were the longest residents on Victoria Street but I can’t find anything anywhere. Hope you can help x

    By Sue (10/04/2019)
  • Hello I’m hoping someone can give me advice,
    Ive got a Whiteley golden jubilee box 1926-1976 with cigars in gold box small bottle perfume and a pen knife, the box is plastic with red velvet effect insert.

    Then I have a wooden box (thin) with El Petro DeLuxe clear Havana filled cigars, a cigar cutter and 2 boxes of Henri Winterburns inside, 1 has being opened and is missing 1 cigar.
    Can anyone shed any light on these and give me indication of who had them and why please?
    Gary Marston

    By Gary Marston (15/02/2019)
  • Hi Nick,

    Good to hear from you, does not seem like 50 odd years ago. Please keep in touch, did you live on Nottingham Road?

    Still in touch with Geoff Vardy if you can remember him

    All the best, StuartMallinder

     

    By stuart mallinder (31/03/2018)
  • Hi Stuart. I also had Cyril Lane as boss and I tested transformers in Transformer rooms 1 and 2 before I moved to the drawing office under Walter Fox. I left in August’68..

    Nick Eley.

    By Nick Eley (29/03/2018)
  • Hi Nick,

    I worked also in the II tested these test sets from 1970 to 1973
    at Whiteleys in the Set room with Keith Williams when we where part of the Inspection
    Team led by manager Cyril Lane. I left Whiteleys in October 73 to join Post office
    Telephones has a lineman then used these test sets to test lines in and out of the
    Exchanges. Stuart Mallinder
    ………. STUART MALLINDER, DERBY

     

     

    By Stuart Mallinder (31/01/2018)

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