Garringtons reunion postponed in light of COVID-19 advice - The Bromsgrove Standard

Garringtons reunion postponed in light of COVID-19 advice

Bromsgrove Editorial 14th Mar, 2020 Updated: 17th Mar, 2020   0

THE REUNION of former Garringtons workers due to be held in Bromsgrove on Friday has been postponed to help prevent spreading coronavirus.

The decision about the event – due to take place at Catshill Club – was taken by the organisers following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s advice yesterday about people avoiding gatherings and going to pubs and theatres.

Mick Ball, the firm’s former works convenor, said the event would be rearranged as soon as the restriction advice was lifted.

Garringtons was the biggest metal forge in Europe and Bromsgrove’s largest employer and the good times will be remembered at the get-together.




 

Pension fight stepped up

Former Garringtons’ workers have enlisted the help of a barrister as they continue the fight for their pensions.


After losing their jobs in 2002 when the factory closed the workers found their pensions were more or less worthless and embarked on a seven-year battle with the government.

They managed to get back 90 per cent back but the ex-employees say, because the agreements do not rise with inflation like many other policies, their payouts have eroded over the years to more like 80 per cent in real terms.

They are now stepping up their legal fight.

 

Sad news for former employees

There was sad news for the factory’s staff on March 1 when popular colleague David Waldron died.

Pat Proudfoot, who organises the reunion with ex-work convenor Micky Ball, said:

“David was a big man with a big smile and a calm demeanour.

“He was human though and could be grumpy at times but that never stopped the gentle ribbing he got.

“He will be missed not just by his wife and family but also by the extended Garringtons family.”

Standard Podcast

Pat and Mick joined us this week on the Standard Podcast to talk about Garringtons, its history, the impact it had on Bromsgrove, the pension fight and the reunion.

Click below to listen on YouTube –

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