Eric Lancashire was chairman of the local union branch representing Rolls-Royce staff when the company went into receivership in February 1971. Here he recalls with pride how the workforce fought to save the company.

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The Rolls-Royce management had requested that all the staff and works unions attend a meeting at 10.30am in the boardroom at Nightingale Road.

The room was full of union representatives from Derby, Hucknall, Ilkeston and Mountsorrell, stalwarts like Charlie Hunt, Eric Birkin, Archie Wynn, Mick Walker, Henry Mrozek and Les Brookes. Some had heard a wide variety of rumours but there was an air of trepidation.

At 10.30am, the managing director addressed the unions with the news that R-R was bankrupt and being placed in the hands of the receivers.

Everyone was devastated. Limitations were placed on external communications and there would be redundancies. What next?

The personality of works convenor Charlie Hunt and other union leaders came to the fore - Rolls-Royce was going to be saved.

A works and staff union committee, chaired by Charlie, with myself as secretary, was set up. Plans were laid for lobbying local and national politicians and any other organisations, including the churches. Printing of petitions was organised and was to be launched in the city, surrounding towns and villages. There was no shortage of volunteers.

MPs Phillip Whitehead and Walter Johnson were working hard nationally, with Westminster taking unfavourable decisions on Monday, February 8, and further debate was planned on Thursday, February 11.

To plan all this required money. Union reps were collecting from all, including management, and funds were pouring in.

A special train was booked and buses organised to take people to lobby Parliament on Thursday, February 11, in London.

I stood at the railway station from about 5am, with pockets bulging with money, because the transport, train and buses would not start without being paid - and I had to pay them.

The atmosphere was fantastic. Some of us had to stand at the station entrance, handing out train tickets to all our colleagues. There had to be an additional supply to keep up with demand.

The train was standing on platform three and I nearly missed it because of getting caught up with issuing tickets.

In London, there was a procession through the streets, a rally addressed by MPs and press and television coverage. The public support and cheers, as we marched to the Houses of Parliament, was fantastic.

The lobbying of MPs and, to some extent, the news headiness about our protests all played a part in the Tory Government decision to save R-R by nationalisation.

One memory that stands out is when Charlie Hunt and I were invited to Lambeth Palace to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury and outline the argument for saving Rolls-Royce.

We were afforded every courtesy and encouragement in the efforts that were being made and assured of his influence and support.

As for the 1,000-or-more work people who had lobbied Parliament, they wended their way back home.

But for Charlie and myself, it was the early hours of the morning before we finally found our way to a bed, kindly booked by someone (to this day, I don't know who) to conclude one of the most memorable days of my life.

Arising from these troubles, it was evident that people cared about people and the future of Rolls-Royce.

Following from this, the activity of all the trade unions was strengthened by working together in a common cause.

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