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My username is wonkywheels.My wife worked in the wheels department at Lesney near Southend in 1974.She was in charge of checking that the wheels had holes in them.After a week she was in charge of two machines and if you were really good you were put in charge of several machines.The wheels then went on to be put on the cars but she never even saw a car. She said it was mindblowingly deadly sitting as millions of wheels were passing in front of her eyes.She had to wait until the machine deposited its black wheels into a tub then on top of a light box where she checked the wheels for the holes.She chatted to her neighbouring worker but cannot remember if there was music playing.It was noisy. She only lasted a few weeks! I never knew about this part of her life when I married her.

An interesting story which I enjoyed reading, thanks for posting.

It sounds like a mind-numbing job, no wonder she moved on quickly. Was this at Rochford or nearby?

Thanks for sharing this interesting story.

I have had a word with my wife -drinking a coffee- and she thinks it must be Rochford but cannot remember whether she travelled from Southend (where she lived )on the works bus or whatever.She was 18 at the time .But she was not allowed to leave the machines as she had to keep an eye on the machines and notify the supervisior if there was a problem with the holes and if a lot of blanks were being churned out.If it was the odd wheel without the hole then she just picked them out.But she could not remember many problems as the wheels just kept coming .She moved on to the packaging production line at Yardley in Basildon, packaging talcum powder,soaps etc. Much better job that she stayed at for much longer.In those days you could go from one factory job to the other relatively easily .

wonkywheels wrote:In those days you could go from one factory job to the other relatively easily .

I remember those days, if you didn't like a job you quickly found another and so on until you did find something you liked, at least everyone kept working.

Wonkywheels,
Welcome to the board and thanks for sharing this interesting story -- it is pretty rare to come across someone who actually worked at the older Matchbox factories!
Her story of the "endless" black wheels coming her way makes me think of the American TV show, "I LOVE LUCY" where Lucy and Ethyl are working at the chocolate factory and the chocolates keep coming and coming......................... Hilarious if you haven't already seen it................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmAwcMNxGqM

Bill

We do love to have members here with connections to the factories and thank's for the story Mr Wheels.

Ghosthunter.

I have a serious complaint about the Lesney wheels department, see below. Where can I claim my money back

Ecclesley wrote:I have a serious complaint about the Lesney wheels department, see below. Where can I claim my money back

P1100043.JPG

You have to go to the Complaints Department personally and ask for Knuckles Johnson and Big George the Enforcer. Don't forget your proof of purchase. Good luck.