Halcyon days at the Co-op paint works in the 1960s

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Seeing himself recently in a 1962 film made to promote the Co-operative Society’s paint works brought back fond memories for Keith Rogers, of Oakwood, as he recounts here.

Keith Rogers as John and his colleague, Patricia McLaughlin, as Joan in the Co-op paint promotional film Halcyon Days

The film was entitled Halcyon Days and was made to promote a new type of paint called Halcyon, the Greek mythological name for a kingfisher, which was the illustration on the tins.

The reason for the new brand name was to compete with ICI which had just introduced a new technology paint called Dulux, which was stealing our business. ICI also tried to restrict the supply of some of our raw materials, so we fought back.

In the film, I played the part of John, with another office colleague, Patricia McLaughlin, took the role of his partner, Joan.

We appeared as a young couple decorating their home. The shots were interspersed with scenes of the paint manufacturing process and laboratory testing, with brilliant colour effects. The film was made by the Anglo Scottish Picture company and cost £2,000, around £70,000 today.

We thoroughly enjoyed our involvement despite not being paid. I was asked to wear a bright shirt which they bought and I was allowed to keep. In the final scene, we walked towards each other, I put my hands around her waist and puckered for a peck when someone shouted “cut”!

If we had kissed, apparently the film would have needed a certificate.

On reflection, I realise what a comprehensive and successful business the paint works was. Built in 1936, it was the first purpose-built paint works in Europe. It occupied a site bounded by Stockbrook Street, Monk Street, Werburgh Street and Little Parliament Street.

The factory had a basement and was four stories high. Fire being a major consideration, it was built with a complete sprinkler system, four stairwells and special fire doors, which would close at a high temperature. There was a team of firemen employed in the production departments and a complete fire station.

Works engineer Jack Cryer was the fire chief and foreman engineer Steve Hurd was chief fire officer.

The local Derby Fire Service had many fire-training practices at the works to familiarise themselves with the building.

Production was a non-stop process with the raw materials being delivered to the goods-receiving bay, run by Joe Exton, then loaded on to a continuously-moving lift to the top floor. There, the materials, including solvents and paint mediums, were dispensed, according to the formula, down chutes in the floor to load the ball mills.

These were drums around 6ft in diameter, lined with porcelain bricks and a quantity of porcelain balls. The mills were left turning for a few hours to grind the paint. Then they were discharged through filters into large, stainless containers on the floor below for the filling process. After that, they went down on the lifts to the despatch department and store.

A few names I recall in the despatch department are Frank Coxon, Alderman Alf Collier (a former Mayor of Derby), and brothers Harold, Norman and George Wilson.

During the war, fire wardens were on duty every night patrolling the roof area as the solvent tanks were on the top floor and were at risk from incendiary bombs.

The paint works provided all of the paints for the Co-operative Societies throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland for retail sale and the CWS maintenance departments.

Much of the production was cellulose finishes, sanding sealers, fillers and stains for furniture factories. This department was run by Ernest Plackett.

Other products I remember include water paint, oil-bound distemper, ceiling white, emulsion, ready-mixed oil paint, four types of varnish, anti-condensation paint, chlorinated rubber paint, hard gloss, super high gloss, varnish, Halcyon gloss, cellulose polishing enamel, cellulose furniture finishes, French polish, Shellac, coffin polishing wax, coffin sealer, linseed oil putty, rust remover and turps substitute.

The company was very aware of the need for recycling, even then. Oils were delivered in returnable barrels; all cans and tins were compacted for metal recovery; the turpentine substitute that was used for washing out the ball mills was recovered for retail sale as white spirit; and paper sacks were sent to paper mills.

Health and safety was also evident. All personnel on the cellulose department had a daily allowance of a pint of milk and masks were worn by operatives in powder-dispensing situations. A doctor made a monthly visit to check personnel in the departments which made products containing lead.

The laboratory had a staff of about five qualified chemists and four assistants who were involved with the testing, tint-checking and research.

Some of the people I recall from the office include chief clerk Reginald Blow, Ken Wall, Roy Goodwin, Jack Harrison, Stan Freestone, Irene Bradshaw, Pamela Cape, Joyce Talbot, Peggy Rolfe, Patricia McLaughlin, Jean Ambrose, Jean Millward, Margaret Tomlinson, Joan Toye, general manager John Aldred, assistant manager Kenneth Smith, Les Edmunds, Joe Tomlinson and many more.

After my national service in the RAF, I worked in the sales office of the Paint Works from 1952-65 and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I have fond memories of everyone I worked with.

Unfortunately, about five years later, many of the production factories, including the paint works, which was still very profitable, were closed.

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Colourful times at Co-op paint works in the 1950s

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