My mother Irma Baker and her sister Honor both worked at Grouts during the 1930,s and 40,s. I remember my aunt always spoke very loudly for the rest of her life and this was said to be because to be heard over the machinery one had to shout.

I worked on uptwisting machine when I was 17 in 1954. Mr Webb was the supervisor and my work mate was June Gay. I found it hard to hear after coming out of the factory, but no long term problems. I worked shifts 6am-2pm and 2pm -10pm alternate weeks. I walked from Walpole Road past the cemetary in the cold snow. My then fiance (now husband of 54 years, Eric) dinkied me on his bike on the morning shift. I enjoyed my time there.

I worked at Grouts in 1954. I can't remember how long I was there, but it was a well paid job in those days. My friend June Gay and I met there and we still correspond from there to Oz. I remember Mr Webb (supervisor?). He was very strict. I walked from Walpole Rd past the cemetary at 5.30am. It was a bit scary as all the trees in the cemetary looked frightening when it had been snowing (it was still pitch black then). It was my first job in Gt Yarmouth. My then boyfriend (now husband of 54 years) took me there after we met in 1953. I was 17 when I worked there on the 'uptwisting machine'. Very noisy. Loved the time I spent there.

My Grandfather Albert Grant had something to do with the canteen. It's a bit vague. I don't know when exactly. I would have thought around the '50's?

Mr Grant was the canteen manager for a lot of years; he also was responsible for the club room which had 2 snooker table and a ping pong table; he retired in mid 60 s.  I worked at Grouts as weaver from 1959 until 1961..

With reference to Mr Norman Balls letter dated 28-7-2010, I also believe that Mr grant of Grouts factory canteen did retire in the mid 1960's. I think that the family name that took over the canteen and games room was Mr & Mrs Barklay and son Phillip, who was a keen drums musician, and they lived in the property next to the canteen. If these names are wrong then I'm sure some readers will know the correct names. As to myself, after leaving the Styles Secondary Modern school at the age of 15 in 1959, I was employed at Grouts factory till it's very sad closoure in 1972. Starting firstly in the "entry room", the foreman was Mr Les Jillings, then progressed to battery filling on the WM's, C&K's, Jacquards,and Northrop looms, then as an warp gaiter . On the days that I didn't use the canteen for my meal breaks I would hurry up to the market place for a bacon roll, a lump of Nelson cake, mug of tea, and return to the factory all in half an hour. When some of the looms were replaced with high speed knitting machines I was relocated to the "dye house" department, then finally working on the Famatex stenters. Very happy days. Roy Nichols 8-2-2011

When I went to the Priory Boys School 1940s, 50 Grouts factory was running then. From the fire escape steps leading from senior 2 class room we could look over the town wall onto Grouts tennis courts and watch the tennis players it was most likely their sports club does any else remember this