We recently had a small gathering of some of the surviving apprentices of the 1972 intake. I took the picture so I don’t appear in it…how many do you recognise after all these years?
You can find a photo of the ICI apprentice intake of 1972 here: ICI Billingham Apprentice Intake c1972 | Picture Stockton Archive.
Photograph and details courtesy of Craig Harrison.
I worked on BR as a ‘bog-standard’ technical officer at Thornaby (1967-71 – my misguided youth!!!), whose area covered many miles of busy track, much stretching well beyond Teesside itself. However, when we were working at/near ICI Billingham, we’d ask the ‘gateman’ whether we could use their canteen. (This was always allowed and the food was good and economic.) I recognised a former Grangefield Grammar schoolmate there, although he looked “right-through” me… In late 1971, I gained promotion to the BR Colchester ‘mainline’ area (a GREAT move!) and – other than to visit my parents (in Eaglescliffe) – never returned to the Northeast.
Those haircuts are out there, some in the picture look like Cocker Spaniels! I too went through that phase but soon chopped it off!!! Though its great to look back as when Teesside had proper industries with proper facilities for training apprentices…..