CVA workers, planning to get the bus home

The move from Kemp Town

These photos come from the collection of Peter Henry who worked for CVA between 1949 – 1961.  He was originally employed at their Kemp Town factory in Upper St. James’s Street    in a number of different roles, however in 1952 Peter was moved to the new Hollingbury factory, where he worked as a Planning Engineer.

Planning Department on parade

Probably these photos date from soon after the move.  The first one shows members of the Planning Department outside the grand entrance to the new building.  I suggest that the occasion might be to mark the move to the brand new building.  Peter can be seen at the back 4th from the left, a young lad probably in his late 20’s, he is now nearly 90 and living in Cheshire.

Planning for quality

Many of the machined components manufactured by CVA were very complex, requiring many different machining and process operations.  Without being disrespectful to the skilled workers, just issuing the drawings to the shop floor for manufacture would be a recipe for disaster.  By the careful planning of each part, a high quality outcome was more likely to be assured.  Apart from planning that the sequence of machining was carried out correctly, they would also ensure all the cutting tools, fixtures, jigs and gauges would be available, and calculate the manufacturing time.

Planning to catch the bus home

The second photo shows the planning office, with the engineers deep in thought over the complex drawings.  Peter is seen second from the right.  The “happy” Planning Manager George Francis is show at his desk in the third photo.  The last photo shows some of the staff waiting for the bus; they look a happy bunch, well it is the homeward bound bus!  I can spot Don Timms at the back, I wonder if anyone can spot anyone else?

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