Farewell party for factory workers at Worksop's Ardagh Glass
WORKERS past and present at Worksop's Ardagh Glass factory gathered to bid a sad but fond farewell at a special party to mark the end of 75 years of glass production in the town.
Around 100 guests came together in the factory's club house to while away the evening with food, drinks, dancing and nostalgic chats about the end of an era.
The Sandy Lane factory, formerly known as CWS Glass and subsequently Rockware, closed its doors for the final time on Tuesday 30th September - marking the end of many generations of glass-making expertise.
Bosses say the landmark furnace tower has reached the end of its shelf-life and closure of the Worksop factory is vital to carry out its 350m modernisation programme across Europe.
The majority of the 70-strong workforce have been offered alternative positions at the company's sites in Barnsley and Knottingley, but still found time to come back for the farewell shin-dig on Thursday last week.
Factory manager Wayne Rodgers, who has worked at the plant for 27 years, gave a heartfelt speech on the night thanking everyone for their hard work and help in creating a real family atmosphere.
"I am proud to have worked with you all - I consider you all to be friends as well as colleagues," he said. "And even though I will continue to work with some of you, I wish you all well for the future, whatever you do. Let's also give a thought to all past workers who aren't with us today."
He added: "It's not just about the factory - we have always had a good football team and socially we have been strong. I remember when we used to get paid weekly, you would see people with their wives and girlfriends queuing up in the club for a pint. We've got loads of fond memories."
Former worker Michael Wood, 62, who retired in 2007 after 34 years service, said he was pleased to be reunited with his old colleagues.
"It's really great to see everyone again," he said.
"It's really sad that the factory has gone, it would have been good if they could have kept it on in some way for Worksop."
"It has changed so much now, everything used to be made by hand. When I look back on it, working at the glass factory gave me a really good life."
John Rossington, 62, worked in the factory since 1961 and said it was sad to say goodbye to expertise and industry in the town.
"The quality of the glass has always been good in Worksop and it has always made a profit," he said. "It's been a good place to work and a shame to lose such good friends. It's been like a family for everybody."
"I am going to retire, which I am looking forward to, but it's such a shame for everybody else who has got to move on."
And it is not just the workers on the factory floor who were sad to say goodbye.
Sisters Beryl Marsden, 52, and Linda Preston, 48, have worked at the Sandy Lane factory as cleaners and laundry operatives for 13 and nine years respectively, and said they would never find as good a place to work again.
"It's been like a family to us, and it was so sad on the last day - there was hardly anybody around in the building. But it's been great to see everyone here tonight and catch up," said Beryl.
Added Linda: "I just love everyone to bits here. They're all fantastic and it's horrible to think we're never going to see a lot of these people again."
Look out for our special video of the Ardagh Glass farewell party - coming soon.
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Weather for Worksop
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
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