Earby's ex-engineering workers reunite at Jowett rally (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Earby's ex-engineering workers reunite at Jowett rally

12:13pm Wednesday 1st September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

AROUND 30 former employees from an East Lancashire engineering firm met up for the first time in almost 40 years for a reunion.

The ex-staff from Bristol Tractors, in Earby, including one now aged 92, met at a Jowett car rally which was taking place at Bancroft Mill, in Barnoldswick.

The family run Bradford-based Jowett empire owned Bristol Tractors, which produced crawler tractors in the area between 1950 and 1971.

Colin Holt, who worked for the firm between 1953 and 1967, said: “We decided to try and get a few people who worked for Bristol Tractors there when we heard about the Jowett rally.

“We were very, very pleased with the turnout, it was a lovely day.

“The staff who worked there are now nearly all in there seventies at least, and some older than that.

“A lot hadn’t seen each other since the Bristol Tractors days. I didn’t recognise a few people, it was quite emotional really.”

The former employees met Ian Jowett, the son of Clarence Jowett, who had been managing director at Bristol Tractors.

“A few of us had a really good chat with Ian,” said Mr Holt, 72.

“We talked about his dad and he was really pleased to see us there and share his memories.”

The group is now planning a further reunion later in the year, including memories of Bristol Tractors from photographs, memorabilia and film.

As well as the 30 ex-Bristol Tractors employees there were around 15 Jowett cars in attendance dating back to the early 1900s.