GeoStories: Winlaton's Industrial Past The Cokeworks

[@jollyrob]

I was transferred from the closing Norwood coke works in 1980 to Derwenthaugh as a Junior Process Trainee (JPT) therefore I got to learn every process on the site before I somehow managed to get a job as an Exhauster House Operator in the by-product side of the plant in 1982. All jobs were decided by seniority and as the youngest and newest person on site (I was only 19 at the time) it was thought I had no chance of getting any of the jobs advertised and would serve my time going from the Yard labouring to the Battery as is usual until you build up seniority. I applied for the exhausters job anyway and it turned out no one else bothered as a very senior worker (the Duke) had put his name forward too. However he pulled his application the day before the deadline and I got the job. A few people were upset by this but these were the agreed rules.

[@jollyrob]

I remember Bob the blending plant Operator who George was referring to very well - I spent a few weeks with him as part of my training programme. He flatly refused to speak to me or even look at me as he didn't like trainees, young people, new people etc etc. He was hilarious to me, I'd sit opposite him and cheerfully watch him seethe. Derwenthaugh was full of characters and almost all of them were, unlike Bob funny and friendly. I still think of them with great fondness. (yes even grumpy Bob)

[@jollyrob]

I worked at Derwenthaugh for 6 years until it closed - happy days. I remember George well, always made you laugh.

[@TheWacoKid1963]

You could see the steam from Quenching from Greenside

[@stephenjohnson1026]

mrs brown , one of my old teachers

[@spookmore]

What year was this..