It was a real pleasure to meet up with Joe McDonald recently and to talk of the 'good old days in the Nylon"
Joe explained that in 1951 he had been asked by his Mum to take a packet of cigarettes up to his Dad in the Factory. It was then that he met Russ Payne,who invited him to apply for an interview, and susequently gave him a job in the Boarding Department.

Apart from two years when Joe worked for the Maypole Dairies, he had a few different jobs in the "Berky" but no doubt being a 'well-paid Counterman" was his favourite. In 1965 the Stretch-nylons, without seams, and the introduction of Tights brought an end to Pairing and those involved were made redundant.

Joe remembered well the names of all his colleagues of over 40 years ago including Maurice Dickson, Jimmy McWilliams, Tommy Cook, Shirley Hynds, Len Ross, Sam Penney and Billy Clarke.

The Countermen had many 'characters' but the beautiful singing of Sandy Kirk ranked very high with Joe, and indeed with all who worked with him.

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