Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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Fire at Heathrow

Posted by Allan Campbell on 21/3/2025, 1:21 pm

A transformer gone on fire.

Wonder the make? Not Reyrolle of course.

I chap I talked to years ago in France said that a country he worked for bought 5 transformers from the Far East.

They were cheaper than 3 or 4 Reyrolle ones.

Most of them only lasted a few years.

The problem he said was that the cooling or oil circulation system was useless on them.

If they had bought Reyrolle ones they would have had years of service. But the bean counters went for cheap.

Odd it seems that there is no backup system at Heathrow.

Allan C.

Re: Fire at Heathrow

Posted by Stan Wears on 21/3/2025, 3:27 pm, in reply to "Fire at Heathrow"

Allan, Reyrolle made a breaker called L42 in the mid 60s or before and it's still running. Another one was OYT and ran for decades across Australia without breaking down. I'm sure their galvanising was 120 micron which ensured no rust for many years. As the saying goes, "They don't make em like that anymore"!

Re: Fire at Heathrow Stan

Posted by Allan Campbell on 21/3/2025, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Fire at Heathrow"

It’s been said before Reyrolle’s made stuff Too Good hence not a lot of repeat orders and their demise.

If you bought their stuff you got quality gear.

I think Reyrolle’s could have been a bit of perfectionists.

Allan C.

Re: Fire at Heathrow Stan

Posted by Stan Wears on 21/3/2025, 6:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Fire at Heathrow Stan"

So true Allan. Olde Worlde meant quality. Today it's high priced rubbish sprayed paint with little protection. However, the 120 - 180 micron galvanising originated in pylon construction. Its the same in Rolls Royce nuclear. Heat exchangers brilliant quality high grade stainless steel but costly. Competitors cheap but win the orders. I mentioned this to Tom Dickinson a director of RR Nuclear at Gateshead and he said it was right. The cheap way always wins. Sad really....

Re: Fire at Heathrow Stan

Posted by Malcolm on 21/3/2025, 9:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Fire at Heathrow Stan"

Isn't that always the way? We've all learned that lesson: "Buy cheap, Buy twice"

But people don't learn...until they age.....

Re: Fire at Heathrow Stan

Posted by Sheila on 22/3/2025, 8:43 am, in reply to "Re: Fire at Heathrow Stan"

Malcolm, I had to replace my microwave/oven Panasonic and fridge Bosch, after about 13 years. I decided to replace with the same makers, Panasonic and Bosch , as they served me well. When I later checked the production, both were made in China. The light fused on the microwave after 6 weeks. When I complained to the shop assistant at JL, I told him I wouldn’t buy anything else from China, his reply was “ well good luck with that”.

Shiela

Posted by John Shearer on 22/3/2025, 10:25 am, in reply to "Re: Fire at Heathrow Stan"

And he would be right Sheila, everything we buy nowerdays is made in China, we have lost the art of manufacturing our own products. Maybe Trump is right

Re: Shiela - UK Manufacturing or lack of it

Posted by Liz Dance on 22/3/2025, 10:42 am, in reply to "Shiela"

I remember years and years ago working for a printers in Newcastle who did lots of printing work for Marks and Spencer, all stuff sold in M & S those days was manufactured in the UK. The films making goods for M & S were always very careful as any mistakes usually resulted in that company loosing the contract.

Why can’t we try to, at least, manufacture some of our own goods in the UK, try to be Great again.

Re: Shiela - UK Manufacturing or lack of it

Posted by Brian on 22/3/2025, 11:27 am, in reply to "Re: Shiela - UK Manufacturing or lack of it"

Liz the simple answer is with the profit margins the high street impose nobody would pay the price.

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it

Posted by Liz Dance on 22/3/2025, 11:55 am, in reply to "Re: Shiela - UK Manufacturing or lack of it"

I am sure some of us would pay a little extra to get good quality, some of the stuff in M & S at the moment is not good quality, fits where the garment touches, not good, but I take your point.

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it

Posted by Brian on 22/3/2025, 12:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it"

Liz, the quality for the price at M and S is very poor, my wife complains about the consistency of the fit and the finish. I think you would have to pay at least double for British made but with no guarantees of consistency of quality and fit.

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 22/3/2025, 1:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it"

Marks Spencer have the odd Jaeger item you can order from them .Was lucky few months ago got a blouse half price love it made in this country .What a difference to there own nearly all blouses are elasticated sleeves picture not always good order disappointing mass produced size you are never sure go by revues.

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Liz Dance on 22/3/2025, 1:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it"

Brian your wife is right in what she says, last week I bought a couple of items from M & S, the fit was terrible, had to return both items and get a refund.

Maria, you are right you can find Jaeger items in M & S, just before. Christmas my husband bought me a Jaeger coat from M & S, it was more expensive than the M & S branded costs but the quality and fit was excellent.

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 22/3/2025, 2:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Glad you got something nice Liz .Even the Jaeger sizing was good took a chance when I ordered as was the only size left came in a Jaeger bag wrapped in tissue Even at Bainbridges on fashion floor all purchases wrapped in tissue .

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Sheila on 22/3/2025, 3:53 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Liz/ Maria, I have to agree with you both. Ive got a couple of dresses from Jaeger many years old, but the design is so good they could still be worn. I’ve also got few nice dresses beautiful made and lined from Hobbs. You can still buy good quality, expensive clothes and they last years, plain in style and never date.

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 22/3/2025, 4:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

So right Sheila as I get older you realise you get what you pay for.Jaques Vert another good make from the past .

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Liz Dance on 22/3/2025, 4:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Maria, I have to fess up that I still have a jacket from the Jacques Vert range, I just love the colour, I used to buy their suits to wear for work, always well made, always lined with a good quality lining.

UK manufacturing of lack of it.

Posted by Rhoda on 22/3/2025, 5:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Liz I had quite a few Jacques Vert suits which I wore for work. It took a long time after I retired to let them go. Loved all of their clothes, as I did M&S. Now find their sizing very odd and haven't found anything which fits well for quite a while. Good thing that I am not short of clothes so really don't need to buy. I did love a good clothes shopping trip though

Re: UK manufacturing of lack of it.

Posted by Sheila on 22/3/2025, 6:06 pm, in reply to "UK manufacturing of lack of it."

From the 1980’s to mid 1990’s p, all my work clothes were M & S., deep tan cord jacket, black blazer, black velvet jacket and does anyone remember the str ten straight skirts, in red, green and black and white. All the new fine 100% wool jumpers, all colours.. I could go on. Every autumn somrthing differnt, hood quality and well fitting. I think M & S went down hill when the Marks and Sieff families were no longer involved.

Re: UK manufacturing of lack of it.

Posted by Liz Dance on 22/3/2025, 6:50 pm, in reply to "Re: UK manufacturing of lack of it."

Loved M & S when they brought out new seasonal ranges that included skirts, blouses, jumpers plus other accessories, at the time I was living in London so was able to buy from the big Marble Arch Branch.

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Sheila on 22/3/2025, 5:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Maria, yes, another good make from the past. Remember Planet and Winsmoor, they also did Précis for petite sizes.

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 22/3/2025, 6:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Yes all good makes worked with them all .I was on Eastex at work Have got a wedding out fit I went to Jacques vert don't want to part with it .2023 wanted anorak Marks no good wanted three quarter length am short who came in exactly what I wanted Barbour perfect two sizes less than Marks washes well price not to bad Fenwicks know will get a good few yrs out of it .

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Sheila on 22/3/2025, 9:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Brilliant choice Maria. I have the same problem with length, more so now I’ve lost two inches in height😳😁

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Maria Ratheram on 23/3/2025, 10:19 am, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Morning Sheila .I seem to remember you saying about reaching the kitchen window ? .Take care.The Barbour anorak a good buy have wasted a lot on clothes over the years careful now what l get

Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria

Posted by Sheila on 23/3/2025, 11:35 am, in reply to "Re: Brian - UK Manufacturing or lack of it - Maria"

Brian, thank you for your kind thoughts. I forgot I’d mentioned it before, the old memory is not so good either😀

Re: Fire at Heathrow

Posted by neil coltman on 22/3/2025, 4:03 pm, in reply to "Fire at Heathrow"

Probably like the shipping industry the order vessels from china and india, and after 6 years they need millions spent on them to keep them going through charters. The vessel I am on was like a swan built vessel. Decent steel etc. We are 23 years old and in better condition than a 6 year old chinese built boat. We were built in Norway 2003.

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[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

Rules! No Party Politics,swearing,derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.