Jack Nicholls
Stretford Resident and former gasworks employee. Memories of collecting coke for family and neighbours in the 1920s for pocket-money. Worked on laying gas mains, and connecting pipework to meters in people’s houses. Memories of gas leak explosions.
Podcast Video
Ita Kirrane
Stretford resident – lived in corner shop next to the gasworks from 1960 (7 years old). Memories of the gasworkers, and trainees coming into the shop for their lunches. Local children were intrigued by what was happening behind the big wall, and would try to get in. Memories of the gas showroom, and cookery demonstrations.
Podcast
Dr Peter Clough
Stretford resident, and one of the scientists who worked under Prof Tom Nicklin on the development of the ‘Stretford Process’ in 1954. The process removed Hydrogen Sulphide from gas to make it safe for use, and was sold across the world making a lot of money for British Gas.
Podcast
Bill Sumner
Stretford resident and local amateur historian who worked at the gasworks as a plumbing apprentice. Memories of climbing the gasworks wall as a child, playing alongside the canal and railway, and throwing stones at the gasholder structures to scare the pigeons. Some neighbours in the 1970s refused to move away from gas lighting to electric. As a plumbing apprentice, memories of using non-sparking tools to prevent explosions.
Podcast Video
Alan Morrison
Stretford resident. Memories of being sent by his mother at age 6 to the gasworks with the ration book to collect coke in a pram. Memories of gas powered water heater, the gas man coming to empty the meter and give rebates, and collecting gas mantels for neighbours who still had gas lighting.
Podcast Video