PRIZE SILVER BAND
H. A. MELLOR, Bandmaster. WILLIAM MILLER, President. JAMES THOMSON, Secretary.
INCREASING TRADE.
It was not long before the manager was again reporting to the committee that the premises at M‘Neil Street were being congested, and intimating that they would require to consider the building of additional ovens at Clydebank or else the opening of a branch in the east. The result was that four additional ovens were built on a plan devised by the engineer and foreman baker, and called the “Scott-Richard” oven. By the 140th quarter the branch was in full working order, and the number of sacks baked that quarter was 2,502. The output of the branch continued to increase, and by the 148th quarter had risen to an average of 352 sacks per week. So rapidly had the sales of the branch grown that less than eighteen months after it was opened the directors found it necessary to add other three ovens, bringing the total up to fifteen. These also were of the Scott-Richard type.
By the beginning of 1906 the congestion at Clydebank and at M‘Neil Street had become so great that it was decided to proceed with the completion of the Clydebank premises at a cost of £10,000. This extension provided for the erection of sixteen new ovens, thus practically completing the productive capacity of the building. The extension was completed in June 1907, and the June quarterly meeting was held in one of the flats there. Amongst other innovations introduced during the completion of this extension was a large water-storage tank of capacity sufficient to provide a day’s supply of water in event of any breakdown in the public water supply. Provision was also made for electric power and light, and two electric lifts were installed.
At the meeting the chairman, Mr D. H. Gerrard, said the branch was up to date in every respect, and could be characterised as a modern bakery in every sense of these words, equipped with the latest and most improved means of production. It was an institution of which they need not be ashamed—indeed, he would say rather it was an institution of which they might be justifiably proud that they were the owners. They were exhorted in the Old Book that they should forget the things that were behind and press onward to the things that were before. In a general sense that advice was pretty good, especially when looking back might have a depressing effect on one’s spirits; but it might be helpful to take a retrospect of the past and look for a short time on the day of small things: the days of their weakness, and ponder over them. After paying a tribute to the work done for the Baking Society by Mr M‘Culloch, Mr Gerrard went on to suggest that the United Baking Society was one of the wonders of modern times, and was an eloquent testimony to the shrewdness and business qualifications of the working men who had managed it during the thirty-eight years of its existence. Referring to the branch, he stated that it had now capacity for a trade of 1,400 sacks per week, and pointed out that since Clydebank bakery was commenced, in 1902, the trade of the Society had increased by nearly 1,500 sacks per week.
A DISASTROUS FIRE.
The new premises had only been opened for a few months when, one Sunday morning in October, those responsible for carrying on the work of the branch were horrified to discover that fire had broken out. The fire was first discovered by one of the men employed in the stables, whose attention was attracted by the sound of breaking glass. He at once raised the alarm, and while the local fire brigade was being summoned the stablemen did their best to overcome the fire, but without success. By the time the local fire brigade arrived the fire had gained a firm hold, and assistance was telephoned for to Glasgow. The appliances of the local brigade were not of much use, and all that the Glasgow brigade were able to do when they arrived was to confine the fire to the upper floors, which, with their contents, were completely destroyed. Fortunately the lower floors were fireproof, and beyond damage by water there was little harm done.
Arrangements were at once made to transfer the bakers in the Clydebank factory to M‘Neil Street so as to cause the minimum of inconvenience to the customers of the Society, and an agreement was come to with the Operative Bakers’ Union whereby the men were allowed to begin work an hour earlier in the mornings and two hours earlier on Saturdays while the reconstruction was taking place. Fortunately, very little damage was done to the lower part of the building; but it was decided that in rebuilding the upper portion it should be made entirely fireproof. For this reason it was decided that the new roof should be flat and of concrete. The damage done by the fire amounted to over £10,900. So quickly was the work of renovation begun that by the Saturday of the week in which the fire took place a temporary roof had been erected, and the work of baking had again been started. It is interesting to note here that Barrhead Society, which had, not long before, completed the erection of a new bakery of their own, offered to place it at the disposal of the U.C.B.S. if they should require it; but, fortunately, the directors found themselves in a position to decline this kind offer.
The facilities for extinguishing a fire of such magnitude possessed by Clydebank Town Council had proved to be quite inadequate for the purpose, and a strong protest was made by the board. Particularly the water pressure had been found quite inadequate for the work. By the beginning of December the directors had submitted plans to the Dean of Guild Court for the reconstruction of the premises, and these were passed on an undertaking being given that the boiler flue, to a defect in which it was supposed that the fire had been due, would be built to the satisfaction of the master of works. The building was quickly completed, and soon work was in full swing again.