The textile trade soon got back to pre-war marketing patterns and while there wasn't full employment, the improvements in wages and conditions stayed in place. Direction of labour ceased and workers were once again free to exercise choice who they worked for. The higher wages and better conditions in the war industries had affected the mills and the best employers brought in fringe benefits like canteens and free transport in order to attract weavers. The mill owners who had looked forward to 'putting the workers in their place after the war' were disappointed, they were forced to compete with the likes of Johnson and Johnson in Earby who set new standards in the mills. If you had a job, you were all right and many workers did well out of the transition.
As time passed, a hidden benefit of the empty aero engine factories which had been modernised for the war effort, became obvious. In a world swinging back into production to meet the demands of the market which had been pent up for years, the attraction of large modern premises in good condition surrounded by a pool of skilled workers proved to be the saving of the area. Armoride, Bristol Tractors, Forecast Foundry, John Carlson, Kelbrook Metal Products, Silentnight, these were just a few of the firms that took advantage and prospered. The shed companies, Long Ing, Calf Hall and the Mill Company in Earby looked for new uses for their investments and many smaller firms found cheap space.
With hindsight, Hitler had done us a good turn. Without the shadow factories and the investment they brought in, Barlick and Earby would have had the blight of decaying mills instead of attractive industrial premises. Without the newcomers unemployment would have been rife with no prospect of anything to alleviate the situation. As it was, making a living, while not easy, was a lot easier than it could have been. We had a lucky escape and the results are with us to this day.
We got a new Rolls factory at Ghyll Brow
