Sheffielder Jessie Madden remembers her days as a highly-skilled worker in man's world

Not many of us can say their boss begged them to stay on when they retired from work, but that is what happened to Jessie Madden!
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Jessie worked for Moore & Wright for 30 years, retiring in the 1980s. The firm, which makes precision measuring equipment such as micrometers, was based in Trafalgar Street before moving to Handsworth in 1959.

Jessie’s son Peter said that the site of the factory is now occupied by the Asda store on Handsworth.

The firm was taken over by James Neill in 1970.

A close-up of Jessie Madden doing precision workA close-up of Jessie Madden doing precision work
A close-up of Jessie Madden doing precision work
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Jessie worked as a machine operator and then moved to assembly work on micrometers.

Peter said: “She retired in the 1980s and they begged her to stay because she was so good at what she did.

“She was surrounded by men there. Ladies had to hold their own and my mum gave the men short shrift.”

Jessie was born on Canada Street, Pitsmoor and is the last surviving member of a family of 10. Her maiden name was Naylor.

Jessie Madden showing her skills to VIP visitors at Moore and WrightJessie Madden showing her skills to VIP visitors at Moore and Wright
Jessie Madden showing her skills to VIP visitors at Moore and Wright
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She married Peter Madden, who also came from Pitsmoor, on Boxing Day 1944 while Peter was serving in the RAF. He had been allowed two or three days on leave.

Peter and Jessie had two children, Peter Jr and Kath.

Kath was born prematurely during the great snowstorm of 1947 and the expectant father had to walk miles to find a midwife, as it was pre-NHS.

Early in the war, before he was old enough to join up, Peter was working in a firm off The Moor and staff had to shelter in the cellars when the area was hit by the Blitz in December 1940.

Jessie Madden four years ago on her 90th birthday with her grandchildren, Rebecca and James BrysonJessie Madden four years ago on her 90th birthday with her grandchildren, Rebecca and James Bryson
Jessie Madden four years ago on her 90th birthday with her grandchildren, Rebecca and James Bryson

When they emerged, he tried to get home to Pitsmoor but the bomb damage was too bad.

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Peter, who died in 2008 aged 85, worked at specialist steel firm Jessop-Saville.

He was a grinder, making aircraft parts, and was also a shop steward for 25 years.

He was also highly skilled and Peter said his father constantly complained to his bosses that he wasn’t training anyone up to do the work.

His warnings fell on deaf ears and eventually the work went abroad.

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The Madden family came to Britain from Ireland in the 1870s, said Peter, looking for work during one of the country’s famines.

Peter vividly remembers that his family moved from Pitsmoor on August 4, 1953 to the new Hackenthorpe Estate, where Jessie still lives with family sup port.

He said: “Mum’s been in this house since it was built.”

The picture of the crowd shows the Moore and Wright Christmas dance at the Cutler’s Hall in 1956.

Jessie is on the right of the circle, Peter is at the back, his brother Stewart is in front of him and Stewart's wife Mary is on the left.

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Happy times and everyone crowded together – funny how strange that looks at the moment.

*Are you on your mettle? Cutlery picture quiz

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