by creemaster » Wed Jul 28, 2021 5:56 pm
Slightly before my time but...
Blyth Harbour Commission took the western side of the yard which saw the slipways filled in, sheds erected and the site, now known as Wimbourne Quay was the primary quay for imports of Scandinavian paper products and occasional news print from Canada.
Gregsons took over the drydocks at the eastern end of the site and built several vessels, including PRINCESS ANNE which was present at the Silver Jubilee fleet review.
They were, I think, based in Millwall before moving to somewhere on Kitty Brewster Trading Estate when they took on the site at Blyth
Gregsons went into receivership in 1972, they began in 1923. but their story continued up to 2020 after several strike offs from and reinstatements to the Register of Companies and Companies House show no accounts since 2003 and still registered on Kitty Brewster.
I think Fergusons Transport took over their yard which they used for their lorries which hauled paper products out of Blyth to the Manchester based news papers.
Full Circle
TA Dah!!
And
Around the time I got married, 1987, there was a company interested in taking over the drydocks and adjacent building to build luxury yachts.
My late father in law was Commercial Manager at the Harbour back then and he told me about this venture. It came to nowt, but I bet George you had many tales of grand plans that never got of the ground or worse began work and then flitted leaving you to clear up the mess
Regards
Graham