Memories of Hull Part 4 By Terry Hood

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Whilst living in Hull I worked for other companies. They were C.D.Holmes, Blackburn Aircraft and Ideal Standard which is in National Avenue. We purchased our first house in National Avenue and we found out that when the washing was put out on the line, when it was brought in the items had smut marks on them and had to be washed again. This was due to the smoke from Ideal Standard's chimney. We also found out that at about 5.30am each day they were using a crane with a magnet on it and dropping radiators, toilets and baths ready to go back in the cupolas.

When the factory closed for summer holidays they had what they call 'Plant Fortnight' where jobs could be done that couldn't normally. One year I decided to work Plant Fortnight and one of the men loaned me his beret as I was working inside the cupolas where a lot of white powder was. When the 2 weeks were up I asked my wife to wash the beret out for me. I gave it back to the man it belonged to, only to find it had shrunk. There was a few choice words said to me by him.

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