A mother who was one of the original part-time workers in the rubber factory, a son who intends to make a career in industrial engineering, and a daughter who likes the friendly manner of East Tilbury workers - Ivy, Joan and Bob Hutson, are another family of British Bata workers. Although their joint period of service is less than a dozen years, they are all keen and capable workers.
They are unanimous in their pleasure in deciding to come to, and, they hope, to stay at East Tilbury.
First to arrive was mother Ivy (left), seven years ago, and her first job was sticking velvet collars on rainnette shoes - women's rubber overboots. Then she helped to make wellingtons.
"There were only eight part-time workers in the rubber factory when I started," said Ivy, "and no complete part-time departments, as there are now. We were studded about on various floors. I am one of those eight originals, and I do not know if any of the others are left.

"In those days, part-time work was from 7.30a.m. to 12.30, and the change to the present hours was, I remember, very popular. Of course, I have seen the number of part-time workers grow enormously, and I think it is no secret that most of them are married women, several with a family. The starting and finishing times now enable them to deal with children and other domestic duties.
"Why did I come? Well I wanted to work, saw an advertisement by the Company, and decided to answer it. I was successful, and have been in the rubber factory all the time."
Wherever she has been, Ivy, who now cements innersoles for wellingtons in Dept 325, one of the rubber factory's two all-part-time departments, has "got on well" with her fellow-workers whom she describes as "really good-hearted and cheerful." This appellation, incidentally, also applies to herself.
"I am glad my children are with British Bata," she told Bata Record. "Only my husband, who has been painting ships at Tilbury Docks for many years, has not worked at East Tilbury. Conditions, and everything else, could not be better calculated to inspire capable work on the part of the women."
A steady and able worker, Ivy has cycled to the factory ever since she started to come here, and so does not have to rely on bus or train to get from her home in Tilbury and back again.

Daughter Joan (right) has been two years in the leather factory, edge stitching all the time, first on children's shoes in Dept 442, and then, when that department was reorganised, on women's court shoes in Dept 424. She is still in the latter department, and says Forewoman Edith Barrett, one of its best workers - quiet, workmanlike and efficient.
Before coming to East Tilbury, Joan had an interesting job at Tilbury Docks - she was an upholsteress, repairing hundreds of blankets, curtains, bed-spreads, eiderdowns, cushions and other articles for Orient Line ships, as part of their preparation for a sailing again.

"This, I suppose, sounds interesting," she said, "but I found it boring, chiefly because there were only about eight girls in the room, and I like working in a crowd.
"That is one of the reasons why I was glad I left to come to British Bata. The workrooms are full of life, and there are scores of other girls to work with, and to be friends with. I get on well with all of them."
Like her mother, Joan has a bright smile and a cheerful outlook. "I like company," she said, "it makes work - and life generally - much easier. I usually go on holiday with a crowd. You suppose I must be a good needlewoman? Well, I like it, but I do not do much of it now - perhaps run up a skirt or jumper now and then."
Joan runs a "helpers" club, and that, besides enabling her to meet and be friends with people, is useful in other ways. Most evenings and week-ends, she goes out with her boy-friend - and that, in her own words, leaves no time for hobbies.
She did other work before going to the docks, where her name was put down while she was still at school.

Bob (left), youngest of the Hutson's, last month started his second year as an apprentice in the engineer's department, where he is now grinding tools in tool stock. Until a month ago, he was assisting on the overhauling of machines.
"I came straight from Palmer's School," he said, "and was always interested in engineering and mechanics. My aim is to become an industrial engineer.
"I expect I shall go through various engineering shops at East Tilbury, and I know I am receiving expert instruction, in favourable conditions, and with unsurpassed equipment. I feel it is up to me to give, in return, conscientiousness and and concentration on work. I hope I am doing this.
"I am on very friendly terms with the other chaps in the engineering shops - it is not dufficult to be otherwise."

At school, Bob played cricket and football, and was a keen swimmer. He does not take part in most of these sports now, as his chief relaxation is riding his motor cycle, on which he has travelled hundreds of miles. His longest journey was to Devon and Cornwall during this year's annual holiday.
Like all careful motor cyclists, he disagrees with the idea that the motor cycle is a dangerous machine. "Any machine is dangerous if the rider is dangerous," he declares. "If a driver is careful on one vehicle, he will be careful in another. It is the driver all the time."
Foreman Bert Springett told Bata Record that Bob was a keen and capable worker, able quickly to grasp and follow instructions.
A major consideration with most young members of a family who come to British Bata is the report of one or both parents, who might already be working there, give. This is the case in regard to Joan and Bob, who soon endorsed their mother's good words about the friendly atmosphere in the workshops, as well as the good working conditions.
"I told them they would like it here," said Ivy, "and I think I was right."