The Group, originally known as RoSPA, Manchester Industrial Safety Branch, was formed before World War II; however the exact dates are not known at present.

The Group was disbanded during the war and reformed in 1948 and by 1957 membership was approximately 150, similar to present, although at one stage it did increase to 300.

The format of the meetings has remained similar over the years with input from the HSE at most meetings and a discussion period for members’ problems.

Venues:

Various venues have been used over the years – namely:-

The Geographical Rooms in St Mary’s Gardens, Parsonage
Milton Rooms, Deansgate
UMIST
BMA Buildings - Victoria Park
GMB College - Whalley Range
Kelloggs – Barton Dock Road
Trafford College –Talbot Road

President:

Initially the position was permanent and a public figure in Manchester.

1948 – 1965 Mr Mather, Mather and Platt
1965 – 1968 the MD, English Steel Corporation
circa 1968 the MD, Mirror Group Newspapers

Later the role was only for two years and held by:-
Frank Riddell – Crown Wallpapers
Laurie Manning – Dunlop
Gordon Douglas
and currently Kerry Ross - Warburtons

Occasionally, the position remained vacant.

Chairperson:

Again initially a permanent position, some of the incumbents being :-

Personnel Managers – Linotype (Broadheath)
Chief S O - Metro Vickers

This was before changing to a one to three year term of office of whom the following held the title:-

Frank Riddell – Crown Wallpapers
Don Levitt – Metro Vickers
Harry Beeston – ICI
Laurie Manning – Dunlop
Ray Morland – TBA
Zyggy Turek – British Gas (now SMBC)
Kerry Ross – Kellogg’s (now Warburtons)
Sally Ann Turner – Reality Group
Peter Rogerson – Astrocare
Brian Wilkinson – Manchester TEC/Learning and Skills Council (now Cherry Tree Practical Solutions)
Carole Conroy – Leeds University (now University of Salford)
Jeff Roycroft – Rhodia (now McCormick Foods)
Mark Dutton – Stockport College
Derek Fabby – Trafford College

Other Positions:

Other officers (names not already mentioned) have been:-

E Johnson – TBA
Mrs W Shallcross – Vita Foams
C R Oldham – Nuclear Power Co Ltd
Gareth Corps
Keith Frankish – Co-op
Mike Nixon – Sun Chemical (now Simply Safe Consultancy)

If anybody can expand on the above information please contact Mike Nixon