The Ulster Knitting Mills started in late 1947 at premises on the Crawfordsburn Road, Newtownards in a brick building which had two floors. The Offices and two 51 gauge Knitting Machines occupied the upper floor.
The Knitters were trained by Bert Wilkinson and the Linkers by Daisy Chambers. The yarns used at that time were Nylon and Rayon and, as there was no Dyehouse on the premises, the production was sent to Melas Hosiery Company for dyeing and finishing. Maureen Montgomery (later Coyle) was the first employee.
Knitting started on the Donaghadee Road factory in late 1948.
A canteen was not esatablished till later and tea for the knitting staff was brewedin the kitchen of the old farm house adjacent to the main gate. Kettles of tea were carried to the factory and sold, by ticket only, at one pence (old money) per cup; I was entrusted with the tickets and pennies.
In the early days, before the canteen was built, dances and children's parties were held in thecanteen of the Glen Laundry.
A cricket team was formed and played some games at the field at the east of the factory.

I have been given this photo of early days in the gardens when the' rough' had to be dug out to make way for the lawns and many flower beds. These four colleagues took to the task and the results were evident for us to enjoy for almost 50 years
Jimmy McKnight, Rabby Busby, Bunny Kennedy and??? took a break from digging in the early 1950's. Jimmy progressed to grass-cutter on a massive mower. Rabby became a boilerman Bunny became the van driverand I need help to name the man on the left, please. David Brown the Maintenance Manager kept an eye on all of his excellent team.