22 thoughts on “ICI Billingham Apprentice Intake c1972”

  1. Hi … Doug Harris here – no connections with ICI really, however I am fairly sure I recognise some of these lads from Grangefield Grammar School’s leavers … and yes, 1972 fits that. Trevor Wild (beast of a rugby player) is middle row, second from the right as we look; Dave Lee is front row, 5th from the right (I’m vaguely in touch via Facebook) and ‘Sapo’ whose name eludes me for now is front row, 2nd from the right. Middle row, third from the left could be Keith Nightingale (a mate of Sapo’s at the time).
    Great to see these familiar faces once again! Cheers, Doug

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  2. Hi Fred a few more names
    Back row, Chris Evans, Ken Wolf, Martin Teague, Colin Marshall ( sadly passed away Nov 22 ),Dave Bostwick, Derek Day, Les Powell, Steve Bullock, Steve Gunn, Mark Redhead, ? , ?
    Middle Row, yourself, ?, ?, ?, Nev Turner, Steve Thompson, ?, ?, ?, Steve Watson, ?
    Front row, Mick Armstrong, ?, Dave Merrington, me, ?, Stephen Hart, Malloy York ( sadly passed away in his early fifties ), ?, ?, ?, ?

    Cheers Duncan Wase

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    • Hello Duncan good to hear from you it’s Mick Armstrong your Instrument Instructor at the time I remember the occasion well and remember all the lads but not all of the names.
      You have done a good job of naming most of the Tiffy apprentices the only names I can add at this moment are Tariq Din third from the right front row a Plater apprentice and the first Asian background apprentice to be employed at Billingham.
      The two Instructors at the far right are Dave Irving the turning and machinist instructor and Laurie Roe the plumbing Instructor.
      I am very sorry to hear that some of the boys have passed away I have good memories of them both.
      Just to clarify when the picture was taken it wasn’t the whole of the 1972 intake
      It was a mixture of all trades heading out for Discoverer training at Ingleby Greenhow.
      I will try to remember more names in the meantime best wishes Mick Armstrong

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      • Morning Mick, I believe we have a mutual friend in your near neighbour Eric Garbutt, also an instrument apprentice from some years previously and a fellow golfer.
        Cheers Duncan

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        • Hello Duncan yes Eric and Linda are my neighbours and we get on very well, I also found myself having a pint with your brother in the Catholic Club last Tuesday I actually asked him if he knew you not realising he was your brother.
          Regards Mick

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      • 6th from left front row Mick Gatenby, 8th from left front row Louis Holland… both still alive as far as I know.

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        • Hello Craig good to hear from you again I was intending to contact you last year but I lost your email address, anyway I am still around and frequenting the Catholic Club in Billingham if you ever call in I will buy you a pint.
          Regards Mick

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          • Mick
            I have asked the team here to forward my email address…….I know one or two of the chaps would like to have a drink or two and catch up with yourself.
            Craig

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  3. Hello Fred the picture you have is not the full intake of 1972 but I think it’s a picture of the group going to the outward bounds at Ingleby Greenhow run by ICI. I know a few names on the pic.

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    • The picture will probably be of one or two trades taken together. I was intake of 1974 and our similar picture was taken with instrument artificers and fitters together.

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  4. Hello Fred lovely to hear from you I was your Instructor Mick Armstrong on the far left of the photo, the other two instructors on the right of the photo are Dave Irving and Laurie Roe.
    Number 3 and 4 in the front row are Dave Merrington and Duncan Wase and number 7 in the top row is Les Powles other names are on the tip of my tongue number 5 middle row is Neville ?. I will try to remember more names but it was nearly 50 years ago.

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    • Those boys where lined up for the finest training available in the known universe! I suspect that like me they where unaware of the quality of instruction they where about to receive…

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    • A wonderful time. I have just re read this post I put on as few years ago. If possible a catch up would be be good. A golden age with a group of great people. I learnt so much from you Mick. Thank you.

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      • Hello Fred
        Good to hear from you again like you I have fond memories of those times and would like to get together with you and any of the lads from those times.
        If you email pictures@stockton.gov.uk they will forward my email address on to you.
        I look forward to hearing from you.
        Regards Mick Armstrong

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      • Fred
        Count me in if you do, I tried to sort a pint out a year or so ago but life, or rather death, got in the way 🤔

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