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Original poster

Swan Hunters - sorry v regional - but sad

14 replies

niceglasses · 21/07/2006 09:41

Feel v sad re the probable total demise of shipbuilding in this area. Just up the road here. The sight of all those cranes on the Tyne is v depressing now. Inevitable or a national disgrace? Dunno. Can't help thinking some dodgy goings on in latest happenings outlined here:

End of shipbuilding on Tyne

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 21/07/2006 09:47

There's been a similar feeling here niceglasses. I live in the Potteries (Stoke) where a huge majority of people used to work for Royal Doulton, Wedgwood and Spode - now we make next to nothing. The ware still has the stamp on but it's made mainly in Indonesia. It's this area's history & heritage but it's all but gone now

southeastastra · 21/07/2006 09:48

it is sad and such a waste of skilled workers

Original poster

niceglasses · 21/07/2006 09:52

Yep, sad for this region because I really don't know what else we have now. We used to be such a heavy industry area - coal, shipbuilding. All gone. Now we have call centres, retail etc. But I don't know how sustainable that is.

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 21/07/2006 10:06

Same here niceglasses - used to be pits and pots - now we have no manufacturing. Call centres, distribution, retail and mobile phones.

Many middle aged people are struggling here - historically you could leave school with next to no qualifications yet still get well-paid work in manufacturing. Now it's gone, workers can't match the wages they had before by working in in retail.

It's not good for the country's future to have no manufacturing industry.

Original poster

niceglasses · 21/07/2006 10:13

Of course, the lovely John Cauldwell........

OP posts:

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 21/07/2006 10:22

Oh yes......

Original poster

niceglasses · 21/07/2006 10:24

My dh about to go and work for them. Am very uneasy about it - sh*ing myself actually.

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 21/07/2006 10:33

I met him once at a charity thingy. Only a quick hello - didn't get into conversation with him. He has a bit of a reputation.

What's dh going to be doing niceglasses?

Original poster

niceglasses · 21/07/2006 10:49

Working for the 20:20 part - FD I think. Has worked there before - very long hours culture and if you don't cut it youre oot. Also a move for us. Not happy.

Anyhoo.....

OP posts:

Original poster

niceglasses · 21/07/2006 10:49

Working for the 20:20 part - FD I think. Has worked there before - very long hours culture and if you don't cut it youre oot. Also a move for us. Not happy.

Anyhoo.....

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Ulysees · 21/07/2006 11:23

oh no I didn't know this? I live in co. durham so not far from there. V sad indeed

KTeePee · 21/07/2006 11:52

This sort of thing happened a lot near where I grew up when I was a teenager - know lots of people whose fathers never really had a decent job again after being made redundant in their 40s and 50s. Very sad for everyone affected.

roisin · 21/07/2006 11:55

I also live in a town that used to have a huge shipbuilding industry: the yard is still there, but a tiny employer in comparison to the past.

I recently did a history lesson at school with 13 yr-olds about the industrial revolution, and current trade. Most of them couldn't think of anything the UK currently manufactures and exports!

kiskidee · 21/07/2006 12:01

dh worked on putting in a new (small but heavy duty) bridge over a creek so seriously heavy duty machinery can get in and out of Swan Hunters. seems a bit of a white elephant now.

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