SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

hi to everyone, dont think this thread has been used befor, i started working in the "rag trade" when i was 16, that was in the 60's, it was a done thing to follow mum, who would put a good word in for you with the boss.i started learning all the fancy machines, that went into making a pair of trousers, then i was shown how to press the trousers on the hoffman press, i loved my years in the clothing industry, and worked at some friendly factories,not any left now, how many of you out there have great memories, like i have?

skippy wrote: hi to everyone, dont think this thread has been used befor, i started working in the "rag trade" when i was 16, that was in the 60's, it was a done thing to follow mum, who would put a good word in for you with the boss.i started learning all the fancy machines, that went into making a pair of trousers, then i was shown how to press the trousers on the hoffman press, i loved my years in the clothing industry, and worked at some friendly factories,not any left now, how many of you out there have great memories, like i have? Hi skippy never worked in the rag trade but worked at Bellow Machine Company on East Street you will have used there sewing machines and band knifes i think. The clothing trade was the backbone of Leeds at one time.I can remember the co.op clothing factory on Holbeck Moor and of course Burtons that was a name every one knows I am sure there will be a lot people on here who can add more.

I remember the John Barran's factory used to run an amateur RL team in the old Leeds League. I believe Burtons did too.

I am in the process of getting a copy of “Leeds United”, a BBC Play for Today from the ‘70’s. It’s all about the tailoring strike in Leeds in the late 60’s or early 70’s. It stars Lynne Perry and Liz Dawn and was filmed [mostly] at Sumeries on York Rd. At the time, my Mam worked at Burtons, always called Montague Burtons by her, and she always said that the strike was started by left-wing fools who couldn’t sew but who wanted more money for the shoddy work that they turned out. She always blamed this for the demise of the trade in Leeds. Once I have the DVD, I’m more than happy to lend it to anybody who would like to borrow it.

My Grandma worked at Sumries just before the war and then during the war. She tells me that they used to prepare the packages of cloth that came in and then make sure all the suits that were made went out OK. I'd love to see a copy of the DVD as the factory was knocked before I was born, or at least when I was very young.

hi to everyone who replied to my thread. there were loads of tailoring factorys in leeds, but the big ons, like you mentioned were favourite to a lot of my friend, but i liked the small places, they were more friendly,and the bosses had more respect for there workforce. but i retired in the 80's on medical grounds, but still have fond memories of happy days. the dvd. which is mentioned. i would love to watch.do's anyone remember the strike in the 70's. when we wanted a shilling an hour? and we went round to ther other factorys to get them out to help us to fight for the money. it all seems a long time ago now.

My dad worked at Heptons and Hepworths as a tailor's cutter.I don't remember about the strike, but will ask my mum about it!

My old next-door neighbour worked in a tailoring factory when she first came to Leeds from Uganda in the 70s and she told me that she loved working there, great camaraderie, she used to go out dancing to nightclubs in her sari. I get the impression it was like Baldwin's Casuals on Corrie

hi misc, they were all a bit like baldwins factory when i look back, we all used to sing all the songs that were popular at the time, i worked for the jews, and we had to have a lot of there jewish holidays, and we didn't get paid for them, and when we were on 3 days a week, owing to the miners strike, it wasn't worth holding your hand out for the pay packet.

Hi all..My old man used to be involved in the running of a clothes factory up at Burley - Cardigan Road. It's since been bulldozed and is now a block "luxury" flats...The place made skirts predominantely, though funnily enough it once dabbled in leather-bound accesories like personalised wallets, notpads etc. It also had its own shop.My dad took me there many a time, I'd spend time in the cutting room, lugging rolls of fabric and bagging up clothing. A top place with top people, typical of the Coronation Street-style factory. A real shame when it closed down...