[Perkins of Peterborough] News Review

Newsreel for the staff of F. Perkins Limited.

Two Wheels from Wales: A corner store on a High Street with bicycles on display in the window, a young boy takes his new bike out of the shop. Women cyclists ride hilly Welsh roads near Phillips of Birmingham's cycle factory. A fleet of Phillips diesel trucks, powered by Perkins P4 and P6 engines, approach the factory in Newtown. Inside, workers assemble cycle frames, enamel components, line-paint the frames and apply the Phillips badge. Men and women assemble bikes on the ever moving production line. Women put together components of wheels. Fully assembled bikes are packed in a variety of ways for distribution at home and abroad, and loaded onto the Perkins-powered fleet. The Navy Joins Perkins: A Royal Navy X Class midget submarine, powered by Perkins P6 marine diesel, surfaces and docks, then puts out to sea. The crews of two midget submarines visit Perkins Eastlands Factory and are given a tour of the P6 marine assembly line. The Royal Navy personnel are taken to the Peterscourt building. Inside, the signing of a certificate by Frank Perkins, other members of the board and Perkins Sports Association, adopting 'The Officers and Crew of the X Craft Midget Submarine Unit at Portland'. Frank Perkins is given an inscribed photograph of the submarine. A reception concludes the visit. The item ends back at Portland, with scenes of a midget submarine putting out to sea. Round the Shows – Copenhagen and Brussels: The main square in Copenhagen: Denmark is celebrating 150th Anniversary of the birth of Han Christian Andersen, and also the return of the British Trade Fair. Crowds outside the exhibition building watch King Frederick entering, to open proceedings. The Perkins stand displays a range of engines, closely inspected by V.I.P.s and others. There are high angle views of the exhibition centre. The Grand Palais du Centenaire, Brussels housing the 39th Brussels motor show, with its patron, King Baudouin in attendance. Continental and British stands show vehicles carrying Perkins engines. American trucks also incorporate the Perkins engine. Mr R.C. Allen, Perkins General Sales Manager talks to prospective customers. Outside, emphasising Perkins American connections, Chevrolet taxis are powered by P4 diesel engines. Chrysler cars are standardised on the P4C engine, exemplified by the Plymouth Belvedere. A P4 conversion, incorporated in a Dodge Kingsway, is closely inspected. Diesel Drivers' New Club: A graphic artist is at work on the new publication, 'Perkins Driver' to be distributed regularly to members of the Perkins Drivers' Club, started in September 1955. Rows of women typists deal with applications for membership. Members study engine components at the Perkins School of Instruction, with hands-on experience of maintenance. At Peterscourt, the first social evening of the Drivers' Club is attended by the drivers of the Lincolnshire Canners' Limited diesel fleet. Entertainment includes a dance troupe performing the can-can. Finally, in his truck, the first official member of the club, Mr. James King of Sheldon, and a display of the club membership card, handbook and badge.

Featured Buildings

Phillips Cycle Factory, Newtown; Perkins Peterscourt; Grand Palais du Centenaire, Brussels;

Featured Events

The Adoption Ceremony of The Officers and Crew of the X Craft Midget Submarine Unit at Portland

Keywords

Automobiles; Bicycles; Clubs; Dancing; Diesel engines; Entertainment; Factories; Submarines; Trade Fairs; Women workers

Other Places

Peterborough; Portland; Copenhagen; Brussels