DavyMarkham recently hosted a visit of around twenty retired employees for a stroll down memory lane. The age of the visitors ranged from 65 to 85 years old and many of these had spent forty years or more working for Davy. The visit was a resounding success, with some commenting that although many changes had clearly taken place, especially regarding the modern approach to health and safety, the factory still felt like the Davy works of old.
A regular meeting place for former Davy employees is at the nearby Davy Sports and Social Club, where gatherings are held three or four times a year; whilst another venue is the Royal Victoria Holiday Inn Hotel, where the Sheffield Metallurgical & Engineering Association (SMEA) holds its technical meetings and lectures. The enthusiasm for these technical lectures amongst the retired engineers and senior managers is quite remarkable, given that they have had a lifetime in engineering already. Also, the meetings prove an ideal venue for lifelong friends and colleagues to catch up on gossip and other events, as well as reviewing what is current in science and engineering and, in particular, what’s new at DavyMarkham.
The exchange of views and information between old and young engineers can work both ways, with the young often learning more from the old. One example of this happened at the latest SMEA meeting, when John Black, an 89 year-old former Chief Hydraulic Engineer at Davy, attended and introduced himself by saying “I see that young Kevin Parkin is now the MD of DavyMarkham”. He went on to explain that he used to be a golfing partner of Mr Parkin Senior, also now 89 years-old, and had got to know the family well, so was pleased to see Parkin Junior now at the helm.
Of even greater coincidence, John Black was formerly responsible for the design of a series of 6000 tonne wheel forging presses back in 1956, one of which was supplied to a company in Dunkerque. The timing of this chance meeting was incredible, since within the past fortnight DavyMarkham had just completed an extensive refurbishment of the very same press in France, which is still in remarkably good order after fifty years. There was much to discuss and technical information thought to have been lost to history was revealed, particularly the location of other presses made at the same time, which may be in equal need of refurbishment. Thus, a chance encounter may provide possible new business opportunities for the company.
DavyMarkham is always keen for retired employees to get in touch and, when there are sufficient numbers, another visit to the manufacturing workshops in Prince of Wales Road will be arranged. To be added to the list contact list please Sign Up
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