More of your mill memories

“Health and safety were unheard of and as a small boy I went around the mill and surrounding workshops freely,” he said. “My father Thomas worked for the family for over 50 years and is pictured in the back row sporting a flat cap next to Charlie Borman. I remember each employee was given a copy.

“I was 13 when it was taken and recall seeing all these people on the lawn of Holme Mills House dressed in their Sunday best clothes for the photo. There a lot of people (much loved by me) who are sadly gone - Kens Sells, Sid Quince (Sandy), Mick Edwards (driver), Sid Stevens (driver), Freddie Roberts (Langford driver), Don Medlock who went on to own the domestic appliance shop in Biggleswade, Mike Wood (manager), Gordon French who gave me such a smack around the ear (richly deserved and whom I had the utmost respect for), Mr Duggan (miller and our next door neighbour for many years), Lionel Prentice (Sandy driver), and Bert Spencer (carpenter and millwright). The red setter with Fred Auburn was named was Bronze.

“They were a true family business who employed local people with a sense of belonging, now sadly gone forever.”