Shared Memories of Aldrich Brush Factory
These audio stories reveal the work, working conditions and social life that shaped Diss’s industrial heritage.
Hear real words and recollections from those who worked at Aldrich Brush Factory, brought to life by actors reading their stories.
Eileen Kitchen: Why she joined Aldrich’s - all her friends were there
Elsie Edwards: Starting work at Aldrich’s at 14, her first job was as a Yarn Baller
Harry Ward: At the age of 13 he started on three shillings a week (15p) as a warehouse boy
J Pank: Making hand loom mats for Downing Street and circuses around the world
Joan Barnard: Joined Aldrich’s as an apprentice. Hear about the smouldering apron
Samuel Bale: Started in 1911, working from six in the morning to six at night
Peggy Mason or Joyce Gibbs: Hear about making wool border mats on piece work
Harry Rice: Boxing and black eyes meant Harry moved from the office to the warehouse
R. H. Knight: In 1959, he worked as a sales representative selling and designing brushes
Les Bartrum: From making wire-twisted tar brushes to lorry driver
Please note: The photographs shown alongside the recordings may not be of the person whose story you are hearing. The images are from the Diss Museum collection and are used to illustrate the people, places, objects or subjects referred to in each recording.