I have lived in Smethwick for most of my life and on discovering the piece in the black country bugle a few weeks ago I decided to visit the chances glass website as I have very fond mermories of the area from that period. I must say the website is very interesting and brings back happy memories.

Comment by Elizabeth White — October 5, 2006 @ 4:07 pm

Cathie Broomhall-glass decorating 1953-please contact me-confirmation of certain products urgently required for a book to be published quite soon. Best wishes to any members of the old team still standing !!

Comment by Jim Cashmore — October 9, 2006 @ 12:01 pm

A very interesting feature. My mother, Madge Jones was the nursing Sister at Spon Lane until her marriage to works manager Edwin (Ted) Richards in 1967. She has very fond memories of CB despite having to deal with some very serious glass related accidents.
My own time @ CB was in Seven Storey purchase accounts office in the early 60s age 17 & I had the pleasure of falling falling in love with all the girls in the secretaries office & cost accounts office (Kay & Christine, you know who you are); happy days. TJ

Comment by tony jones — October 17, 2006 @ 10:49 pm

I too worked at Chance Brothers, along with my sister Kay (Tony Jones, I think this is the Kay you are referring to) and my brother Terry. Prior to that my father, Percival Charles Goodman was employed by the Company. Also my ex husband Bob Hedley and his father Tom Hedley worked there. I too have fond memories of the place, as I worked there from 1959 until 1967 when I left to start my family.

Anyone wishing to find out more please contact the site.

Comment by Nanette Hedley nee Goodman — October 20, 2006 @ 8:37 pm

My mother is 90 years old in December this year and I am trying to put together a bit of a life storey.
She worked at Chance Brothers around 1930-35, straight from school aged 14.
Her name would have been Edith Gibbard, and I understand she used to distribute mail around the offices.
If any one should have any memories of my mother or indeed photographs from that period, please contact the site.

Comment by Graham Cox — October 27, 2006 @ 4:44 pm

My Grandad Harry Haller worked at the Glassworks from late 1940s till the 1970s.

If any one should have memories of my Grandad or photographs, please contact me via this site.

I am sad to say that Harry Haller passed away this year.

Ashley Haller

Comment by Ashley Haller — November 21, 2006 @ 3:08 pm

My Uncle Ken Oakley (who is now 85 and lives in Llandudno )worked at Chances glass. He wonders if anyone remembers him. He was an apprentice and was engaged in the Lamp House. He remembers Jack Beaumont(who went to work in Llandudno), Arthur Sleigh(foreman of the toolroom),Harold Hopkins and Charlie Winwood. Ken T Oakley left Chances glass at the end of his apprenticeship in 1945 to go to work at English Electric. Please contact the site to be put in touch with Ken.

Comment by Miss Wendy Brown — November 26, 2006 @ 1:55 pm

What a blast from the past! Yes Nanette I remember you well & you’re quite correct re my undying love (aged 17+) for your sister Kay & her friend Christine Short, both who worked in Seven Storey. Every time I pass down the M5 I look across at the remnants of the old building. Kindest regards to all.

Comment by Tony Jones — December 20, 2006 @ 6:08 pm

Jim Cashmore, you can reach me via the site editor
What a surprise to hear about this website. I am now living in Canada, and heard about this site from my nephew who lives near Gloucester.

Comment by Cathy Smith (Broomhall) — December 30, 2006 @ 11:25 pm

JIM CASHMORE - re cathy broomhall -please email via the site editor

Comment by r bromage — December 30, 2006 @ 11:47 pm

I worked at the site in Spon Lane for a short period and lived at the works hostel in 1964 I can only remember a couple of names being Arnold and Gerry Fieldhouse a couple of the West Indian lad’s a tall one Edgar and a small one Edmund they took away the finished glass on work savers and generaly brushed up I loved my time there a good gang of lads made sure of that. Fred

Comment by FRED WHITFIELD — April 19, 2007 @ 5:21 pm

I was so interested to see your website.My dad was born in 1908 the youngest of 11,and he and his brothers and sisters went to CHANCES school. I have the medals -bronze for 3 years perfect attendance,silver for 5 years and gold for full perfect attendance. The family then lived in Rolfe Street.When dad left school he worked at CHANCES and married my Mum who was from BARRY in South Wales and they then lived at Moat Road Oldbury. They adopted my sister and I in 1947 and 1949 and they wanted us brought up near the sea so moved to Swansea in 1949. I have all the letters sent back and fore from his friends and from Derek Chance before he left.I also have service agreements of my uncle FRED MOORE dated 1939 1946 and 1950. I also have a christmas tree ornament made at CHANCES for my 1 st christmas in 1947.There were 12 but were so delicate I,m down to 2 now.My dad spoke a lot about CHANCES I only wish he was alive to see this wonderful website. Sadly he passed away in 2000 at 91 years of age. My Mum is still alive at 92.If anyone remembers them , or would like the letters etc.please get in touch.

Comment by JANET EVANS — July 23, 2007 @ 7:29 am

My name is Dave Deaves,& I now live in Stafford.I worked at Chances from 1960/1 to 1981.I first served my apprenticeship in the millwrights & finally ended up as foreman in the engineering department of the tubing division.I have only just discovered this website after visiting the Black Country museum yesterday.Listening to the audio brought back so many happy memories,& I was very pleased (after all these years)to easily recognise the voices of Ray Drury,Gary Watton & my old friend from the fitters bench,Geoff Bennett.I also remember very well Johnny Caroll.What a great website for memories.

Comment by David Deaves — July 30, 2007 @ 3:09 pm

Great website full of names from the past I started work at chances in 1952 and was one of the last to finish on 24 dec 1981 having remained at the sight to sell off the plant and equipment I remember as a young lad Ray Drury coming to me in the machine shop with drawings of bits and pieces he wanted turning for his canoe I also remember the morning David Deaves started he was put to work with me and stayed with me for several months.

Comment by FRANK GOULD — January 9, 2008 @ 6:41 pm

I’m led to believe all of my husband’s ancestors named PEMBERTON worked at Chance’s. Does anyone know of them. It would have been in the 1800s. Also, if you visit any lighthouse on the coast of Western Australia as we have just done, most of the glass came from Chance’s!

Comment by Carol Pemberton — February 4, 2008 @ 7:17 am

I have now completed my first book on Chance (Chance Expressions) and am currently researching for the second (Chance Reflections). This will cover the history of the company and the technologies used, so will be quite far reaching.

Additionally, I would love to hear from any Chance worker about their time at the company, any anecdotes, memories - but also if they you have any glass memorabilia (including friggers/foreigners), long service medals, paperwork etc. It really does not matter how insignificant you may think a memory, piece of glass, or paperwork is, because it could be all part of the jigsaw I am building, which seems to be expanding all the time!

Any Chance Comments or Cullet News, for example? Feel free to contact me at info@chanceglass.net or 0121-693 6669

I am already in regular touch with: Ray Drury and Tony Cartwright, and do know about Geoff Bennett, Vic Bicknell, Howard Cosnett, John Ellis and Gerry Lane, amongst others, who I will be contacting shortly. I am also in touch with several members of the Chance family.

Janet Evans: I would like to see photos of the Christmas ornaments!
Carol Pemberton: I have excellent photos of Greencape lighthouse in my book. Is this the one?

Site Editor: I would love to have your co-operation in this matter, to allow contact to all these wonderful people :)

Comment by David Encill — February 23, 2008 @ 1:23 pm

I worked at CB for 8.5yrs, 1st in millwrights m/c shop then later in F G E shop.My foreman was Bill Ellis & his boss Harry Haller. I got to know Edgar Poole,Jim Jukes,Arthur Bache,Charlie Westwood,Jack Sidaway,Sammy Box,Harold Edge,Ron Mallin,Ernie Tyler,Fred Evitts Jack Downes,John Carroll,Ernie Millington John Page,Bob Smart,Don Parrot,Ernie White,Ray Drury,George Harrison,Roy Dixon,Paul Anderson,Roland Timmins,Peter Horton,Oliver Gilbert,Frank Kane,Tom Whelan,Jack Higgs to name just a few.I enjoyed being at CBs a lot.I had the pleasure of using Edgar Poole’s old lathe for a while,then it was changed for a slightly newer version with a faulty clutch!However it got repaired later on. Happy days!

Comment by Keith Gorman — February 26, 2008 @ 3:11 pm

I worked at CB from ‘58-’71 in the carpenter shop. My dad, George Porton, worked at all the gates and eventually was head of security with Arthur Farley. His son, Peter, also worked in the carpenter shop. I had many happy years playing football for the CB team with Freddie Evitts, Sammy Box, Alfie Edmonds, Roy Dixon, and too many others that I have forgotten. Plus there was the interdepartmental football and cricket games. Thanks for the memories!

Comment by John Porton — May 7, 2008 @ 11:44 pm

My dad worked for CB for 30 years right till the end his name was Leslie Collett i have fond memories of sitting out the works gate in Spon Lane waiting for dad and lots of stories he told us. I have a picture of him and others in the factory.

Great site Keith Collett

Comment by keith collett — July 12, 2008 @ 5:37 pm

Both my mom and aunt worked at Chances,their names were Elsie and Minnie Hanney.If anyone remembers them or has photos please get in touch as i’m sure this would come as a very nice surprise for them
Thanks

Comment by F. McDonald — September 24, 2008 @ 12:49 pm

has anybody have any contact with the lads from the garage at CB.Alf Stokin, Joe Stockin,Howard Cosnett,Bob Hedley,I did my apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. from 1960-66.My mom Renie Golding worked in the Cost office she retired from CB in the late 1960s.And she celebrated her 100th birthday on the 08/08/08. it good to read all the comments from employee’s of this great company.

Comment by David Golding — September 24, 2008 @ 4:51 pm

I’ve recently found out that my grandfather, Arnold Fieldhouse, spent many years working at Chance in the 50-70s. I didn’t get the opportunity to know him so any stories any one has will be greatly received. James Ward (son of Pauline Ward nee Fieldhouse)

Comment by James Ward — October 16, 2008 @ 10:43 pm

Wow! What a wonderful web-site! My grandparents and my parents worked for Chance Bros. Ernie Barratt (my Grandad) used to be in the lighthouse dept. travelling all over the world for the install of the optics; Gladys Barratt (my Nana) worked in the glass making shop as an inspector (I think), Barbara Barratt (my Mom worked as a secretary in the Accounts office) and she met my Dad, Norman Plant, who was was an Professional Engineer! The terrific stories I heard as a kid :-) My parents emigrated to Canada, where I was born. love to foward to my Mom any e-mails from former employees who remember my family. Cheers from Canada!

Comment by Stephanie Plant — December 12, 2008 @ 12:08 am

My father was William Ernest Barratt who became Chief Lighthouse Engineer and travelled the world. My mother was Gladys Barratt (nee Evans) and she became forewoman in the Grainding Shop before marrying my Dad in 1927. I too worked at Chances in the Old Hall, Buying Office with Charlie Calvet as my Boss. I met and married William Norman Plant one of the Engineers in the Old Hall . We married in 1951 in Oldbury, and emigrated to Canada in 1957. Our two children are Stephanie and Gary. We lived in Ontario and then moved to Vancouver Island in 1989. Norman unfortunately passed away May 2005 at age 82. Does anyone remember us. I know Ray Drury does as we keep in touch. Hope to hear from others.Happy Christmas to all.

Comment by Barbara Plant (nee Barratt) — December 17, 2008 @ 11:48 pm

Arnold Fieldhouse was my uncle we worked together at Chancesfrom the 60’s till they closed in the 70’s Arnie worked on the leer end and i was a glass cutter in the sheet tank.

Comment by ray fieldhouse — February 4, 2009 @ 6:15 pm

I worked with Les Collett for some years and have fond memories of Kendricks Spring Road and the sheet tank Spon Lane. Also memories of other glass cutters such as Pat Matthews, Norman Tidman,Freddie Lewis and Ernie Hadley to name a few.

Comment by ray fieldhouse — February 5, 2009 @ 11:46 am

I am carrying out research on lighthouse in NSW Australia Green Cape. It is a first order light exhibited in 1883. What I am after are electronic copies of drawings of 1st order lights at this time and the clock work mechanism and the clockwork mechanism that was available 30 years later. Can anybody help me please?

Comment by Doug Boleyn — April 5, 2009 @ 2:27 am

What a wonderful site this is,I came across it like many others while doing family research.My great grandfather, Samuel Pitt was a lighthouse fitter for Chances in the early 1900’s.We know they sent him to Sierra Leone in 1916 as we have photos of him by the lighthouse also postcards sent to my grandmother. It is my fathers 70th birthday soon and I would like to present him with as much detail about his grandfathers travels that I can. Samuel Pitt was born in 1880 and always worked for chances until he retired, he sent my grandmother many postcards, the ones we have are mainly from europe. If anyone Knows how I can get details of where Chances sent him over the years could they please get in touch.

Comment by Christine Phillips — April 7, 2009 @ 2:15 pm

I am directly related to William Chance of Bromsgrove(b1749) and believe one of his grandsons William Edward (b1842) was a sometime director of Chance Bros.
I would love to know the full envolvement of memebers of the Chance Family through the years.

Comment by Robert Chance — April 8, 2009 @ 9:33 pm

My grandmother was Florence Chance,she had 2 brothers,Bert and Joe and I know we had family in the midlands.

Comment by Anonymous — April 24, 2009 @ 9:56 pm

There are a number of information sources which would help Robert Chance, some published privately by the Chance family. Not least is the recent book “Lighthouses, The Race to Illuminate the World” by Toby Chance and P. Williams”.
Contact me via the Site Editor.

Comment by Alan Taylor — June 19, 2009 @ 11:29 pm

I am a decendant of the Chance family,my maternal grandmother was Florence Chance(before marriage)and I seem to recall the names Bert and Ted as being her brothers,apart from this I know very little about the family. I have several pieces of glassware that belonged to the family.

Comment by Anonymous — July 13, 2009 @ 2:11 pm

I believe my grandfather Granville Price Laugher worked at Chances Social Club as a steward possibly in the 1940s.
I would be very grateful for any further information.

Comment by Kathy Lee — August 2, 2009 @ 10:12 pm

What a wonderful site to stumble upon. I wonder if anyone remembers an Arthur Mullinder (there may be a variant on the spelling of his surname). He came from Wolverhampton but worked at Chances in 1956.

Comment by jenny — August 15, 2009 @ 3:36 pm

Another family historian!
My scientist grandfather was Wilfred Marsh Hampton and was ?MD of CB through the war until his retirement. He was awarded an OBE for his work on optical glass. He died in 1972. Has anyone any memories or stories about him?

Comment by David Williams — August 20, 2009 @ 8:56 pm

My family worked as glassmakers in Smethwick from 1861-1881. Both my Timmins and Brampton family were glassmakers. I am sure, based on the locations they lived, that this was the factory they worked at, they lived on Spon Lane at one time, as well as near Oldbury Rd.

Comment by Jennifer Mieirs — January 29, 2010 @ 6:58 pm

Hi, I\’m trying to discover more about my paternal Grandfather John Stedman. I believe many people called him Jack. He worked for the RRE/TRE in Malvern in the 40s and 50s but his death certificate states that he died on the Chance Brothers premises in Malvern in September 1954(heart attack), so it seems he may have been working there at the time. Can anyone help me discover more? Any advice or info. would be much appreciated.

Comment by victoria hirons — February 4, 2010 @ 11:28 pm

I am researching my family tree and have been told that my great grandfather Orlando Stokes and possibly his father (name unknown) worked for Chances in the late 1800’s and travelled the world working on lighthouses. Possibly also involved with the Eddistone Lighthouse, cornwall. If anyone has any information I would be extremely grateful. Orlando was married to Charlotte and they had 3 daughters and 2 sons.

Comment by Anita Allsop — February 25, 2010 @ 2:57 pm

My late mother in law Edna Stanley worked at the Seven Storey as it was known, and her husband Joe Stanley worked at Spon lane along with his brother Norman. Apparently their father Frank Stanley was a glass blower by trade, but I cannot say if he too was associated with Chances at any stage?
We have several Chances glass items including handkerchief vases, and also a book detailing the history, processes, and pictures of some of the wares, both domestic and industrial. The book is called ‘Mirror for Chance’ and was published in 1951.
Sadly I have no photographs of Joe or Norman actually working in situ, and would appreciate if anyone does and could provide copies.( There are a couple on this site that may be them , but we’re not certain?) Keep up the good work!

Comment by Clive Howell — April 16, 2010 @ 11:54 am

I am researching my family tree and know my great great grandfather worked in Nailsea as a glassmaker and moved to Birmingham around 1850 - would love to know more about the company’s history at that time and why the family would have made that move

Comment by Rose Shakespeare — July 18, 2010 @ 1:39 pm