By Steve Fussell
It feels like such a long time ago that I started working at Lebus, aged 15 in 1965. It was my very first job since leaving school and a great place to start my working life, my fellow colleagues were an amazing bunch although some of the tricks played on us were cruel. I guess that was just part of our initiation, all good natured though – just!
I have fond memories of the Pando club however I was too young to participate in their activities. I do recall the Kray twins using the Lebus boxing facilities. The factory itself was very up to date with an amazing conveyor belt under Ferry Lane linking the old and new depots, in fact there were conveyor belts down many walkways.
Apart from day realease at Tottenham Technical College I had many different tasks whilst working for Lebus, including working in the saw sharpening workshop and cleaning the snow grinder at the back with a big magnet. I left in 1970 when Finsbury Works closed down and eventually ended up being a kitchen fitter, but it was at Lebus that I learnt my trade in the furniture game.
Tottenham Technical College 1970
Construction under Ferry Lane bridge to link the old and new depots
Was a great place to start your working career and a fantastic place to learn your trade
Hi Steve I think I remember you my name is Barry Barnes the other apprentices in my age group were Peter Crump and Brian Hitchman , Brian also attended Tottenham Tech but Peter and myself went to Walthamstow Tech at the time of you starting we were approaching the end of our apprenticeship. When the factory was on short time working the apprentices had to work and were given various jobs around the place I built up my toolbox from the magnet many allen keys and small spanners in fact to this day I still have the tin with all the allen keys that I collected. I think we worked in the saw shop together on the slow grinder sharpening the planer blades .
Hi Steve
Blimey mate, you’re a ‘blast from the past’! I was reminiscing online about my younger years in Tottenham when I came across the Harris Lebus website. Lo and behold your name cropped up. If I remember correctly we both started at the same time in 1965, both 15 years old. There were the two of us and another youngster from Harold Hill whose name escapes me. Unlike yourself I only lasted about 3 months – too much like hard work! I still had some good memories though.
I initially was put to work with Ronnie Burke. He and his brother Bernie were good blokes. I remember one day Ronnie upended me into a large trailer full of sawdust! Happy days!
I also enjoyed some time in the saw shop, where I worked with Derek Salisbury. We were both racing cyclists at the time, me with Highgate Cycling Club and he with Priory Wheelers. Years later, out of curiosity (I was long retired from racing by then) I happened to buy a copy of Cycling Weekly, and blow me, there was Derek’s obituary! What are odds of buying that particular issue…
I also remember our day release at Tottenham Tech. I can’t recall much about what we were taught apart from ‘How to estimate the peripheral speed of a circular saw’. What I do remember was an African chap who was in the class, and how he had to endure some nasty racist stuff from some the others in the group. I felt really sorry for the chap, I’ve never held with those sorts of opinions.
After leaving Lebus I worked for the Post Office as an Overseas Telegraph Operator. I stayed in that job for 25 years or so until we were all made redundant in 1991. I really loved that job and would have happily stayed in it until retirement. Ho hum, such is life.
Anyway Stevie, look after yourself and thanks for bringing back some memories for me!