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Tannery workers reminisce over 'wonderful times'

Jim Love Workers nailing on skins at Baily’s – skins were stretched on a frame, pegged and then driedJim Love
The old Morlands and Baily's site has been empty since the recession of the 1980s

Former tannery factory workers have been reconnecting with each other thanks to a new heritage cafe.

The old Morlands and Baily's site on the edge of Glastonbury in Somerset has been empty since the 1980s.

The Heritage Cafe, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, happens once a month in the town's Red Brick Building, originally part of the Morlands factory.

Organiser Alison Horgan said she wanted to bring the workers together as the factories were an important part of the town's heritage.

The companies processed raw sheepskins and manufactured sheepskin, leather and suede goods, but each company had its own character.

Both were said to offer good pay and benefits to staff.

Jo and Pauline at the reunion cafe meet up smiling and laughing at the camera
Ms Woolridge (right) often worked as a model for the company

Many of the workers have stayed in the area including Jo Woolridge.

"There was a comradery. We had good times," she said.

"I lived in Street and we used to cycle in together."

She said the company gave her modelling training when it decided to use its staff instead of paying for professionals to market its produce.

"We used to do it when buyers came in," she said.

"They made me a pair of leather trousers but when it came to going up the stairs I couldn't because there was no give in them," she added.

Ms Woolridge said she made lifelong friends at the factory.

Marlene wearing glasses and a pale blue cardigan and is sitting next to a table with a cake on it and two other people talking across it
Marlene Pursey said the people were her "favourite thing" about the factory

Marlene Pursey said she saw people at the reunions that she "hadn't seen for years".

"The people were my favourite thing at the factory," she said.

"I worked for Mr Clark who always came into work in plus fours, and the chairman would come through the factory every day - he was quite eccentric."

Ms Pursey said most of her family worked at the factory and described it as a place where you would "stay for all of your working life".

Terry Maine A dated looking picture of a group of men wearing red tops, green shorts and yellow socks for a football match all looking at the cameraTerry Maine
Factory workers would regularly meet up for sports matches and Christmas celebrations

Roger Bond started working at the Morlands factory in 1954 and left when it closed in 1982.

"Nearly every department had a sporting side and we all played tennis, cricket, hockey, football, that was the best bit," he said.

"I was there till the very end, but I missed it very much.

"Looking back I think what wonderful times they were."

Roger and his friend Gerald looking at the camera smiling and wearing jumpers and shirts but Gerald is wearing a tie
Mr Bond (right) said he worked at the company until its closure

Ms Horgan said it has been "really lovely" to see people "bumping into old friends".

"Sometimes older people, particularly if husbands or wives die, find themselves on their own," she said.

"It's nice to give them a reason to come out and meet other people.

"I know there are lots of options out there, but we thought that because Morlands and Baily's was such an important part of Glastonbury's industrial heritage and identity...we thought it was a really valuable thing to do for the workers."

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