RADIO FACTORY ON DENTON ISLAND

Giant Music Centre
By Paul Blackman

In 1963 a new factory opened on Denton Island. It was originally called Ferguson Radio Corporation, then British Radio Corporation, then Thorn Consumer Electronics and finally J2T Video. It closed in 1988. It was always the same Company but the name changed to reflect the products being made.

I worked there for 25 years. The picture below was taken around the mid 70's and is obviously a Music Centre which is an exact copy of the largest selling product of it's day although made completely out of wood ! It was made so we could enter the Newhaven Carnival. The man responsible for building it was Keith Nicks who is seated fifth from the left. He was a very skillful cabinet maker and jig maker who worked for the Company for most of his life. Many 'locals' will know Keith who transferred from Newhaven Cabinets in the Drove.

From Row left to right: Joe Blackman,Jean Tapp,Tom Martin,?,Keith Nicks,?,Jim Elliott,Colin Clarke (holding the plug),Jimmy James,?,Dave Deakin,Paul Blackman.

Standing left to right: ?,Dave Corver,Ken Self,?,?,?,?,?,Mike Foster,Ian Everdell,?,Albert Martin.

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'RADIO FACTORY ON DENTON ISLAND' page
This page was added by Paul Blackman on 10/04/2009.

Comments about this page

And they were good value-for-money music centres in their day too. I owned one of the same model for about 6 months. It must have been good because a burglar took it away one night. I woke up in the morning and it was gone.

By William Still
On 11/04/2009

My sister also worked there during the 60s. Her name was Colleen Roche and she bought one of the Ferguson Radios which I believe travelled with her belongings when she emigrated to Australia in 1968.

By Marion Goodwin
On 11/04/2009

Has anyone earlier photos of the factory? I am looking for a photo of my father who was from Barbados in about 1961.

By andrew wiltshire
On 28/06/2009

Noting your request Andrew, I was at the factory from it's opening in 1963 so do you mean you would like to see photo's from that time onward. I do remember a lady who worked there at the same time as me, her name was Phyllis Wiltshire, I think she lived in Newhaven, maybe up the Mount, she was a Supervisor on one of the Production Lines. Any relation ?

By Paul Blackman
On 07/07/2009

I well remember leaving the factory early each morning around 4am to do the London run in one of the two Newby's lorries that were contracted to Ferguson's or Thorn's. Often had trouble trying to pass parked cars beside the Bridge Hotel. I remember one morning I gave up and tried the river wall route along past the back of the Co-op and the RNVR Base and coming out by the swing bridge. Only tried it the once as there wasn't much room along there and being on ones own, in the dark, it was a slow drive I can tell you. Thought for sure I was going to end up in the river. I used to do the run to Abridge in Essex and then sometimes onto Southend for Cabinets, or the other way to Enfield for components. Great bunch of guy's worked at the factory dispatch and receiving dock. Can't remember the names but can still see the faces. Happy Day's.

By Jim Still
On 31/07/2009

Hello Paul. Good to see pictures of You and Joe on Denton Island are there any pictures of Walser and Turner Plumbers on the Riverside ? I can just remember when Dad ( Oscar ) had a handcart and then progressed to a three wheeled van for his plumbing works with Ben Turner ( my Uncle ).

By Steve Walser
On 30/01/2010

Hi Steve, great that we've got back in touch after all these years. Have left message for you on 'Message Board' page.

By Paul Blackman
On 01/02/2010

I wonder if anyone on the technical side can help with my ongoing research into the British tape recorder industry, particularly Thorn Industries (see Brenelltape.co.uk)? Would you please contact me on bjrustic@aol.com Thanks.

By Barry M Jones
On 18/04/2010

Add a comment about this page





Protected by FormShield
Listen