The Metro-Vick Apprentice Hostel

 

Tyntesfield the Apprentice Hostel was situated in its own grounds on Alma Road, Woodheys, Sale.

 

A  Summary of the First Year at Tyntesfield.

Tyntesfield officially opened on the 7th of  September, 1957, when 9 apprentices took occupation of the top floor. They were the group starting the Sandwich Course on the 9th. Graham Skelding, however, had arrived two days previous to this, in effect to show everyone the ropes and to inform them what to expect of life in the works. This group also had a large amount of work to do during the evenings to prepare for the students arriving the following Saturday. Everybody rallied round, making beds and clearing up the mess left by the builders and decorators. At one stage the lounge was untenable due to a huge pile of chairs, beds and bedding, but by the Saturday morning places had miraculously been found for everything around the house. The highlights of the week were the moving of a cupboard from the stables to the hall using the dumper, moving beds and stocking food and linen. Many cups of tea were readily demolished, and under Dad's (Graham's) guidance these founder members formed the solid apprentice foundation upon which the hostel has grown. On the lighter side, it was during the first week that the infamous game of Eton Rugby was played, the North narrowly defeating the South. It was on that occasion that Pete Farmery c1imbed into the limelight by losing his 'trews' during a lively assault on the North's line, some thing which he has never lived down. During the following Saturday, 29 apprentices arrived and were taken into tow by the 'Old Hands' to be shown around. It  was very soon apparent that music would play an important part in the life of the hostel, as a weird miscellany of instruments appeared and began to make themselves heard.

 

The Lounge of the Apprentice Hostel

 

The following week consisted of settling in and making friends. The rules and regulations of the house were explained and at about this time an A.G.M. was held to elect the Hostel Committee. This was built up of all 'Old Hands', with the exception of Barrie Rundle, who, as a representative from Room 4 proved a welcome addition. He is, incidentally, the only original member of the Committee left. Committee constitution and procedure were the main items on the agenda for the first few days, but before very much could be settled on these matters, a little bug which was doing the rounds at the time, commonly known as Asian 'Flu, crept in and waged war against us. David Hutchinson was the first to succumb. He was put to bed in the Sick Bay and everyone warned to keep clear of him. Nevertheless, one by one people gave way until by the end of the week about a dozen were ill. This warranted extreme measures, so the whole of the first floor was turned into a hospital, everyone from rooms 4, 5 and 6 who wasn't ill being shunted into the beds vacated by those who were. Eventually, however, the whole hostel went down, being put into quarantine and the doors shut to the outside world. Marathon work was done by Miss Batty and her staff, extremely well supported by the fit apprentices, but as each chap got better and was pronounced well, his place was taken by a new case. By the next Saturday we were all feeling rather depressed at being confined indoors, and in the evening a rag was carried out against the first floor by the top floor with disastrous results, all Sunday being spent in cleaning up the hostel from the attic to the cellars.

 

One of the many Bedrooms at the Hostel

 

Soon after the 'flu epedemic, Roddy, as the Social Secretary, set to and organised the first party, which proved to be a great success. Dancing, cider drinking and a barbecue round a bonfire by the stables were the highlights of the evening. At this party the hostel skiffle group put in their first appearance, headed by Norman Depledge. Since that time they have improved tremendously, and many functions have been graced by their presence, not only those organised in the hostel, but also some arranged by Publicity Department and C & S. More parties followed during the winter months, which proved to be extremely popular. A bonfire night party was held complete with firework display, and the most successful party of all was at Christmas. This was to celebrate Christmas and to see the Old Year out, since we all left on Christmas Eve and didn't return until New Year's Day. Miss Batty also gave us a most appetizing Christmas dinner by candlelight at which a very entertaining speech was delivered to us by Mr. Marshall.  Upon returning to the hostel in the New Year things remained rather quiet at first and it was not until the middle of February that the next party was held in honour of St.Valentine. The next event of importance occurred in March, when Messrs. Rodwell, Townsley and Farmery resigned from the Committee because they had too much work to do for the exams at Salford Tech. Chris Clayden had resigned earlier when he left the hostel to go and live in a flat at Sale Moor with some friends of his. Their places were taken by Messrs. Davis, McEwen, Storr and Depledge respectively. However, this committee was not destined to last for long, as Dad was transferred to the works at Germiston, so an E.G.M. had to be held to elect a new hostel chairman. Roger Storr was elected to this post, and Keith Lindley took his place as treasurer on the Committee. At the next Committee meeting after that Roger co-opted John Peck as Assistant Secretary to keep the minutes of all meetings. Another party was arranged to be held at the beginning of May, but, due to lack of support and interest in the hostel, this was, as parties go, a failure. However those who did go thoroughly enjoyed themselves and had a very good feast of 'hot dogs' and cider. On April 20th, 1958, Norman Depledge arranged a ramble in the Peak District for members of the hostel and any friends they might wish to bring along. It was very well supported and everybody enjoyed it despite the rain at the end of the day. At the time of writing Norman is arranging for a ramble to take place in the Lake District, to leave the hostel early in the morning of July 6th, a Sunday, and to return late in the evening of the same day. So far all signs point to it being a bigger success than the first one. On the sporting side, we have played two Rugby matches against the M.V. works team losing 14-15 and 0-12. We thank Pete Youd for his efforts in acting as captain at these games. At Soccer we have beaten, under the capable captaincy of Dave Hutchinson, a C & S team, while on the less strenuous side, we have had an indoor games competition with C & S, beating them by 5 matches to 4, 2 drawn, but losing 48½ to 50½ in the points system. The full results of the match are given elsewhere in the book. A cricket match with Education Department has been arranged by Tom Hinde, but will not be played off until just before shut-down. Nowadays we have settled down to play our role in the affairs of C & S, and we hope that our successors, as we have done, find Tyntesfield the hostel, and leave it Tyntesfield their home.

Only one Apprentice had a car - the majority of us were too young to drive. Most Apprentices went to work at Trafford Park by Public Transport.  One or two Apprentices including myself  used a bicycle.

 

Accommodation for Apprentices. There was a wide range of  lodging  accommodation available near to the Works.    Before commencing training, details of different categories of lodging accommodation (e.g. share room, single-room) were sent to the applicant for him/her to state a preference, and then, wherever possible, he/her was put in touch with the accommodation of  their choice. The Hostel was available for boys only, especially those new to Manchester. Unfortunately, the accommodation was for one year only. It gave one a chance to find their bearings and then look for alternative accommodation. I can honestly say that my time spent at the Hostel was the most enjoyable in every way. The Apprentices were the most friendly people one could wish for. The food at the Hostel was excellent - like a FIVE STAR HOTEL. Parents were encouraged to visit and they were able to stay for tea. I was allowed to suspend an Antenna  from the balcony  to a tree several hundred feet down the garden. I used my Amateur Radio gear in my bedroom at weekends. This was possible because the other apprentices sharing the dormitory went home at weekends. The Accommodation Fees were subsidized by Metropolitan-Vickers as Apprentice Wages in 1957 were very low. I  enjoyed my Apprenticeship from start to finish. Each time I visit the Heritage Centre and look at the Foundation Stone, I will look back on my memories of those days learning and working in the great 'Workshop of the World'.

The official Year Book.        Every apprentice was listed in the Official Year Book. A full page was allocated to each apprentice showing      his photograph, and also a full detailed report on his achievements, hobbies and extra curricular activities.         I have not reproduced any reports on my website so as not to offend any members not wishing me to do so.     I have however, listed below, the Names of all the Apprentices who were Founder Members in 1957 - 1958.

 

Name

Home QTH

Bannister - Ian Beaumont -  John Blackburn - Graham Brierley - Eric Brooks - Peter Carter - Michael Carter - Stuart Clayden - Christopher Clegg - Michael Davis - Colin Depledge - Norman Dunbar - Alexander Farmery - Peter Foulds - Michael Greatorex - John Harwood - Derek Hinde - Tom Hockins - John Hughes - John Hutchinson - David  Jones - Ronald Knight - Ian Lindley - Keith McEwen - Charles Peck - John Phillips - Richard Reeve - John Rodwell - Kenneth Rundle - Barry Shinkfield - David Skelding Graham Smith - Peter Squires - Gerald Stafford - Lawrence Storr - Roger Sword - Graham Thompson - Andrew Thornley - Frank Townsley - Robert Wellard - John Wheaton - Paul Youd - Peter

Kilbrook Fleetwood Newport Hadfield Harrogate Romsey Youlgrave Richmond Nelson Blackham Nottingham High Wycome  Malton Margate Glossop Darwen North Wales St. Austell St. Helens Blyth Faversham Buxton Preston  Orkney Leeds Sandon Scunthorpe London Plymouth Dover  Sale  Norwich Little Hadham Leek Beckenham Devizes Bedford Blackpool Leeds Iver Bristol Birkenhead

 

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Updated: September 2006