Apprentice intake 1967

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• Confirm its me in the back row! Good site, well done. If you want I have a couple more photos from that era? Also have you seen the site that refers to old Bert Ely, google it….Bob T

  By Bob Taylor (09/01/2015)

• Hi Bob!  Thanks for confirming your position in the photo. There is an audio section on this website about Bert Ely, in addition to many  comments that have been sent in.  Click on the heading ‘People’ and you will locate it. If this is not the same site to which you refer then perhaps you will enlighten us all!  John B      

  By John Bancroft (09/01/2015)

• This was the last picture Bert Ravenhill appeared in because he was made redundant in about 1968 I believe. He was in the first picture in 1946 and everyone taken thereafter. His life was his career at Fieldings and his ultimate dismissal ruined his life forever. He worked at Stroud for a while and finished up at Morelands prior to their closure. Redundancy killed him in the long run at an early 70. A great Engineer and teacher and a wonderful family man. More should be written about this man who lived and breathed F&P for all of his short life.

  By Tony Ravenhill (19/10/2013)

• Thanks Chippy! Look forward to hearing more about the area around Fielding’s as you remember more! The “mucky” bookshop sounds like it has a story or two about it…

  By Ollie Taylor (02/04/2013)

• Thanks Chris – we’re almost there with the names of everyone in the ’67 intake now – what memories of those happy days in the ’60s at Fielding’s did the photo bring back?

  The details of this photo have me intrigued: I wonder what the buildings reflected in the windows were – shops? residential? – and what you remember of them – they look close to Fielding’s? I wonder, also, what the rooms behind you were used for (there’s a watering can in the one on the far right, and some flowers!)? Finally, you, Andy Prior, and Jonny Pearce seem to be wearing different-coloured boots to the rest of the lads, is that a trick of the light or was it not obligatory to wear black boots?!

  By Ollie Taylor (18/03/2013)

• Hi Ollie I think the building reflection you ask about is probably the buildings that fronted onto Southgate Street. There was a butchers on the corner near F&P’s entrance, then next to that I think was the ‘mucky’ book shop!

  There were also private homes along that stretch up to the garage and then more houses. I have a feeling that there was also a pub along there too (The Leopard, maybe) after the garage as you went towards the traffic lights.

  As you got nearer to the lights there was a General Store. Around the corner into Llanthony Road and past the cobblers shop, just near the Carpet Works was another pub called The Goat, hence the name Goat Track that you may see on some maps of the F&P site.

  The railway line ran between the main site and the Boiler Yard. The track ran into the docks. Hope some of that helps. Best regards, Chippy Aston

  By Graham Aston (18/03/2013)

• Far right of back row is Dave (Enoch) Powell. Far left of front row is Andy Prior. It is Rod Ferris not Rob. Happy days, they were all a great bunch to be at work with. Chris Hemming 16/3/13

  By Chris Hemming (16/03/2013)

• Thanks Chippy – was he a relation of yours, or is your shared surname a coincidence?!

  By Ollie Taylor (28/01/2013)

• Hi Ollie, Jim Aston and I just happened to have the same surname, no relation. We did talk about it, but I seem to remember we couldn’t find any connection at all.

  By Chippy Aston (28/01/2013)

• I think think fourth from the left in the back row is James “Jim” Aston. I’m pretty sure. Best regards, Chippy Aston

  By Chippy Aston (26/01/2013)

• On the front row: 2nd from the left is Rob Ferris. Adrian Wellington is between Graham White and George Hayward. Regards, Tony Hope

  By Tony Hope (04/01/2013)

• Mike Willmott is second from the left on the back row. Regards, Tony Hope

  By Tony Hope (04/01/2013)