Autumn 2009 - Marshall Group

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12 Focus on... Five Decades of Wheel & Wings - Derrick Aspland Clocking up a commendable 48.7 years with Marshall’s, Derrick Aspland talks about his experiences working across the breadth of the company….. “I started as an Apprentice Draughtsman in the 'Bus Division (originally known as ‘Marshall Mulliner Buses’) in No.8 Hangar on Tuesday 9th August 1960. On completion of my apprenticeship, I continued to work in the 'bus section and was lucky enough to be involved in a variety of programmes: In 1960, bus bodies at Marshall were built for schools, private operators and also for export (inc: long-nosed, normal control buses built for operation in the Sudan.) The following year saw the start of building buses for the BET (British Electrical Traction) Group of Companies (Southdown, East Kent, Western Welsh, South Wales, Rhondda, Ribble, Oxford, Yorkshire Traction, Yorkshire Woollen, and many more). These buses were basically to a BET design on AEC and Leyland chassis – each body being finished in the operating company’s trim and colours. The majority were for Service Bus use, some were used for Dual Purpose use, being fitted-out with Luxury seating. As time went on and the regulations changed, Marshall’s customer field also changed. The three production lines in No.8 Hanger were often filled to capacity, turning out around eight vehicles a week for: • Export – the largest order being for 100 bodies for Lagos, and another for 75 bodies for Buenos Aries • BET (later name changed to National Bus Company – NBC) • Municipality (Bradford, Chesterfield, Blackpool, Yarmouth, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Southend, etc.). • Ministry of Defence (MoD) – Buses convertible to Ambulance role – 12 & 16 stretcher capacities (well over 500 of these type vehicles produced) • School Buses – Norfolk, Suffolk, London, Newcastle to mention just a few • Double Deckers – in the latter years bodies built for Leicester, Derby, Newport, Strathclyde, etc. Over the years there were so many different chassis / customers / body styles that work was always varied and interesting ~ no two consecutive orders were the same. The legal maximum length in those days was only 30 ft (less than 10 metres), but now bodies are permitted to be 15 metres long (over 49ft.). The longest ones built at Marshalls were 12 metres long (39’ - 4 3 /8”). Also during this time I moved about a bit on what Sir Arthur Marshall used to call the 'magic round-about'. In the early 1970’s, when there was a shortage of 'bus work, I spent six months in Motor Bodies Design Office, and three weeks in Commercial Metal Detail in an administrative capacity. With 'bus production at a 'low' due to the removal of government 'bus grants, the 'Bus Division closed in early 1984. Following this closure, I spent three months in the Motor Bodies Estimating department - deputising for Eric Goodacre who was off 'sick' for a while. On 23rd April 1984 I moved into the Motor Bodies Design Office, back on the drawing board again - working on various vehicles, containers and also on a contract of 'bus design work’ for Eastern Coachworks of Lowestoft. Work in the Motor Bodies Design Office was also very varied, and I gained experience on: • Military Container Bodies • Low Framed Brewery Dray Lorries – Curtainsiders for Whitbread • Demountable Brewery Dray Units – interchangeable between Trucks and Trailers – Whitbread • Design contract with Eastern Coach Works (ECW) of Lowestoft for an ‘Export Bus’ configuration (1987/88’ish - The manager at ECW was formerly a draughtsman at Marshalls in both the Motor Bodies and Bus Divisions – Alan Hunton) On 24th April 1989, I moved into the Aircraft Design Office into the role of Technical Office Administrator, and by my retirement on 21st April 2009 I completed 20 years in this post all bar three days. Overall I have completed a total of 48.7 years with the company. My interests outside of work included Football Refereeing – I started refereeing in the Cambs. League Football in the 1964-65 season, and also officiating as linesman on the then Eastern Counties League until the mid 70's. I held the position of Secretary and Treasurer for over 20 years and was awarded the Long & Meritorious Service Award (LMSA) for services to Refereeing by the National Referees Association, which I received at the National Conference in Manchester. I still have an interest in refereeing, having served as the President of the Newmarket Branch for the last six years. In 1977, I became a member of my local Church Council (All Saints’, Kirtling), and took on the duty as a Church Warden in 1982, as well as Secretary (I am now in my 28th year in this position). In 1999, I started a three year training course to become a Licensed Lay Minister (formerly known as Licensed Readers) and was licensed at Ely Cathedral in Eastertide 2002. I am now able to officiate at normal church services and funerals (not baptisms or weddings).”
MA in the News 13 Marshall Aerospace has established its own AeroAcademy to support training, both internally and throughout the Aerospace Industry. It offers an extensive range of training including basic skills, technical and regulatory training while supporting the existing apprentice and adult retraining schemes. AeroAcademy has already developed a reputation as a leading training services provider for the Aviation Industry and continued personal development of aviation professionals in respect to aircraft maintenance,repair and overhaul. In September 2009 AeroAcademy will launch a further academic programme, in conjunction with Kingston University which will support training pathways up to degree level / licensed engineer. Students will be welcomed for the first time into Marshall AeroAcademy through UCAS applications. To support this development the company has agreed to the refurbishment of Green House Farm to support the incoming students for 2-3 years of their academic life within Marshalls’ AeroAcademy. This historic building was once the working residence of the late Sir Arthur Marshall. A fitting setting for the first academic students to grace Marshall Aerospace and AeroAcademy. AeroAcademy are also developing an extended E-learning portal which is currently running a range of pilot operations to support performance management. Full details of the AeroAcademy are summarised on our website www.aeroacademy.co.uk. Details of extra capabilities will be covered in the next issue of MA News. Countdown to the Open Day….. With less than a month to go, plans are now firmly in place for the Centenary Family & Friends Open Day which is being held on Sunday 20th September and promises to be a day filled with activities for everyone across the Group of Companies. • 12.00 – Gates Open • 12.30 – Funfair opens and all static displays open • 13.00 – Food Halls open • 15.00 – Flying display starts • 16.00 – 16.30 Red Arrows arrive and massed departures of visiting aircraft • 16.30 – Flying display restarts • 17.00 – Food Halls close • 18.00 – 18.25 – Red Arrows Display • 18.30 – Open Day ends • 19.00 – Gates Close The flying display will include aircraft from the company’s 80 years in aviation – from the Lancaster, Spitfire, Tiger Moth, Venom and Vampire, to the Hercules, Tristar, Vulcan and B17, ending with a big display by the Red Arrows. There will also be a funfair and many of the hangars will be open for a “walk-through”. There will be plenty of food and drink available and a large static display of past and present products from across the companies, as well as the opportunity for joy flights. You can keep up to date on the activities planned for the day by looking on the MA Intranet under “Open Day.” There is still time to apply for tickets through the Open Day intranet. Please click on “Tickets” and apply using the form provided.
Page 1 and 2: news A review of what’s happening
Page 3 and 4: News 03 Marshall Aerospace signs te
Page 5 and 6: News 05 Skills Upgrade In addition
Page 7 and 8: News 07 A Clear Vision The first ha
Page 9 and 10: Environmental 09 It’s not just Ar
Page 11: Human Resources 11 You said: “We
Page 15 and 16: MA People 15 Training the Leaders o

Autumn 2009 - Marshall Group

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