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Stan Tacey was editor of the Bemrose Bulletin - the house magazine of Bemrose and Sons - for many years. Browsing recently through some early editions, dating back to the 1930s, he began wondering how Bemrose had started, so he dug out his cherished copy of The House of Bemrose to refresh his memory. This is what he discovered.

Although the founder, William Bemrose, was born at Newark on October 15, 1792, the family name of Bemrose originated from Lincolnshire.

He was bound as an apprentice to Henry Morley at Gainsborough, completing his apprenticeship in 1814.

Ten years later, on July 29, 1824, he married Elizabeth Ride.

Within two years, he had founded the Printing House of Bemrose in Wirksworth but moved to Derby nine months later, where he occupied various premises in the Market Place, Friar Gate and Iron Gate.

In 1840. the firm had 12 employees. Then, in 1841, the ever-expanding Midland Railway Company awarded the contract for all of their printing to Bemrose.

In those days, the fare to Sheffield was 3s 6d (17.5p). With the increase in business, the firm expanded and moved to Curzon Street. By 1849, the staff had risen to 35.

In 1855, a large tract of land became available close to Derby Railway Station and a new factory was built, which became the home of The House of Bemrose for more than 100 years until the move to Wayzgoose Drive in 1974.

I certainly remember that day, with all the massive printing machines being transported from one side of the city to the other.

I spent 50 happy years working at Bemrose and Sons and I refer to this period of my life as the "good old days" but take a look at these extracts from old Bemrose Bulletins over the last 80 years.

December 1926

The fourth Annual Dinner took place in the mess room on Thursday, when 50 of the regular patrons sat down to an excellent repast. Great excitement prevailed over the draw for three Christmas puddings, two of which were allocated to the gentlemen and one to the ladies.

February 1927

Miss Dowry asked if the new electric clocks could be kept to a more accurate time. Several workers go to Spondon at midday. If the clocks are exactly right, they catch the train but, if it is half a minute slow, they miss it.

October 1928

Childish destruction of toilet paper. It is difficult to find the culprits and it is hoped that any employee observing this will bring it to the attention of the management.

May 1929

The Matron for the Hospital of Sick Children begs to acknowledge Bemrose and Sons' kind gift of silver paper which is much appreciated (this was the second delivery from the firm). The two deliveries totalled nearly 1 cwt.

Christmas 1930

Congratulations to Miss Nellie Curzon, of the finishing department, who has recently left' the service of the firm to go to India to get married. Her future husband is a sergeant in the Rifle Brigade, serving on the North West Frontier

January 1933

Poppy Day. Our yearly collection of £11 8s 4d (£8.42) was a considerable increase on last year and a letter of thanks was received from Major JC Bra, President of the Normanton and Pear Tree branch of the British Legion.

November 1933

At this time, employees in the composing department were getting 24s-26s (£1.20) a week and the weekly wage of the girls was 1s 10d (9p).

October 1938

This issue produced an illustration of the British Travellers' Guide, printed and published at the General Printing Office in 1847, and was sold for a penny.

December 1945

Jim Bradshaw returned home after being a prisoner-of-war in Japanese hands from March 1542 until September 1945. He witnessed the destruction of Nagasaki by the atom bomb.

Memories! "Fings certainly ain't what they used to be."

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