They would spend a compulsory twelve months period in the Apprentice school, which provided them with the ability to operate and learn about a comprehensive range of machines and manufacturing processes associated with general engineering i.e.. Machining, Turning, Boring, Grinding, Drilling, Fitting, Welding, Metal treatment and Bench work etc . It was during this period that each apprentice started their engineering education at Shrewsbury Technical College and this would last for 4/5 years depending on the course. The company in those days comprised several large buildings to house all the light and heavy machines, including extensive floor areas with overhead cranes for engineering manufacture and assembly. The building structure was made of steel framework with red facing brick external walls. The roof included large sections of glass to allow sufficient light for the workers and this very often made the factory hot during the Summer. The shop floor workers had to clock in and out at the start and end of each shift. This was a bone of contention with the men and very often a piece of toast or a bit of cake would mysteriously appear in the clock mechanism. Of course, there was also the obligatory works hooter screaming at the start and the end of each shift and strangely these were also sometimes silenced with the odd pair of socks.
Halls had a fantastic canteen run admirably by Margaret, the canteen Manageress and her small team, serving delicious hot meals at very low cost. The canteen also