Going out with a bang!

Photo: Anthony Miller

MAKE some noise: the “banging out” ceremony.

EMOTIONS ran high as hundreds said farewell to one of Oldham’s most famous factories.

The enormous 73-year-old BAE Systems plant in Chadderton closed for the final time on Friday to tears, cheers and a rapturous “banging out” ceremony.

The last employees walked through the Greengate gates to the thunderous noise of hammers and pipes — a tradition at the site to a staff member’s bow out.

The factory, which opened when the Second World War broke out in 1939, was home to a plethora of great aircraft — including the Lancaster Bomber and the Cold War Vulcan.

Originally known as AV & Roe, the site later became owned by Hawker Siddeley, then British Aerospace, which finally became BAE.

At its peak the site was once the largest manufacturing factory in the world and had more than 10,000 in its workforce.

The last 101 members of staff either took redundancy, early retirement or have been transferred to Samlesbury, near Preston, as the final curtain fell.

Hundreds lined the streets and flags were waved as banners hugged the fencing. One read: “Brilliant times, amazing people, exceptional people,” at the special lunchtime send-off.

One well-wisher, Susan Jones (88), from Failsworth, worked at the factory drilling and riveting at the end of the Second World War.

She said: “I never thought it would come to this — it’s such a sad day for the area.”

A number of families have passed on the work baton to different generations at the factory — which includes site manager Steve Kilroy and his father Fred, who have notched up 72 years’ service between them.

Steve said: “The world’s changing, the workload has dropped, but we are actually still going. It’s emotional but it’s a step forward in all our lives. Let’s look back with pride, not in anger.”

Family
His father said: “The site built many aircraft — some military and some commercial — but it also built friendship. Most of all it built a lifestyle in which you worked hard, thus enabling people for many years to bring up a family while in full continuous employment.”

The closure, announced last July, was caused by a significant reduction in workload and the site was deemed no longer viable.




‘One big family’ go their separate ways
Donna Hunter, of Chadderton, said on leaving: “It was very emotional and it has been very hard.

“I could not believe the reception we were given.

“It just shows what the factory means for other people as well. It’s been one big family and it is lovely to see all the people out here to support us.”



Sharon Pieroni, from Chadderton, said: “To know it’s not just a building but one big family is lovely. It is the end of an era and new beginnings. If it wasn’t for the transferring to Samlesbury, I think we would all still be here. I know I would. We have had a party of a lifetime.”



Brian Holland, from Hollins, said: “Working at Avro, was for me, a life-long occupation.

“I have no regrets at staying there for so long. Of course we had some bad days but most were good.

“Obviously the main thing I missed in my retirement was the tremendous camaraderie among the workers.”



Douglas Ashmore, from Royton, said: “I have mixed emotions, I have a lump in my throat about it all, knowing that all this will never come back again.”



Bagpiper and Falklands veteran, Colin McManus, from Blackley, said: “To know so many skills are leaving the area is very sad. This place deserves a big send-off.”



Gary Parkin, from Hollingworth Lake, said: “Everybody wishes it could go back to the way it was.”



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