This website uses the reminiscences of five people who worked at Holwell from the 1940s to the late 20th century. Each of their experiences were different and provided different perspectives on the technology of Holwell Iron Works.

Maurice Bailey was born at Sewstern in 1926. He began work at Sewstern Quarry as an apprentice electrician. He moved to Holwell as an assistant electrician at the new foundry set up in 1969. His work included solving electrical problems and routine checks. Maurice ended his career at Holwell as chief electrical engineer.

Roy Beeken undertook an apprenticeship in the electrical department of Holwell Works. He worked in the Continuous Casting Plant, the furnace Electrical Department and in the powerhouse.

Mervyn Hammond began working at Holwell in the laboratories training in metallurgical analysis. His worked involved testing temperature and sand. He later worked testing samples from the qaurries, and testing limestone, coke, water and furnace gases. Mervyn retired in 1991 after forty five years at Holwell.

Cecil Robinson began an engineering apprenticeship in 1944, working in the fitting shop. In 1955 he moved to the inspection department. He remembers the development from continuous casting to the introduction of the Kunkel-Wagner machine.

Jack Smith started work as a junior metallurgist at Stanton Iron works. He moved to Holwell as foreman in the cupola plant in 1947. In the late 1960s he worked on the development of the Kunkel-Wagner machine and later became the technical assistant to the works manager.