Visit to AVO factory. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Andrew Mawson · 2nd Feb 2019, 7:58 pm

I'm new here. When I was in school back in the 1960's one of my friend's father was a director of AVO and arranged for us both to go on a tour of their 'factory' in Vauxhall Bridge Road. I say 'factory' as it was a series of buildings joined up at many levels. I was particularly impressed by one basement full of Douglas Coil Winders - one of their products, but winding bits for the range of Avo's in production. Not very long after that they moved to Dover.

buggies · 2nd Feb 2019, 11:27 pm

Hi Andrew,

Sounds similar to the basement at Perdio in Bonhill Street. I only had to wind a few coils on a machine but the worst were experimental EHT windings - only about 3mm wide but about 20 high - and very prone to collapsing...

Would you be a refugee from USENET UK diy and ME??

Sinewave · 2nd Feb 2019, 11:33 pm

I got excited there and thought this was a thread about an official forum visit to Avo Dover

2nd Feb 2019, 11:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinewave

I got excited there and thought this was a thread about an official forum visit to Avo Dover

Me too...

CambridgeWorks · 3rd Feb 2019, 6:49 pm

Has anyone actually asked if a visit is possible for a few forum members? There was someone from AVO, a new member a year or little more ago asking for information on products history I think. Anyone able to contact him?
Just a thought, I don't want to visit personally.
Rob

AndyGilham · 4th Feb 2019, 8:00 am

To answer robinshack, I am that employee of Megger Dover, who has become a keen member of this forum.
Our site down here in Dover is soon to undergo a big re-development, and part of that plan is to open a heritage centre that I requested. Having a chat with my MD, he is keen for this to happen and I will be looking after it. The plan was to allow access to general interested public once it was up and running (under supervisions of course). However, a tour of the facilities requires some further consideration. that would have to be discussed with HR (Health & Safety...etc). I will endeavour to keep everyone informed.

Andy

AndyGilham · 4th Feb 2019, 8:01 am

Additionally, I have been compiling a history of the company, and have little information regarding Vauxhall bridge road site, so any photos or details would be appreciated.

Andy

Andrew Mawson · 4th Feb 2019, 11:34 am

Andy, sadly when I visited back in the 1960's I was far too young to own a camera, and mobile phones hadn't even been dreamed of!

Even to my young eye it all looked fairly Dickensian, and rather chaotic. The chap who was a Director at the time was by the name of Fowler. He will be long gone by now but I may just possibly be able to re-make contact with his son and see if the family albums have anything relevant.

CambridgeWorks · 4th Feb 2019, 11:49 am

OK Andy, Nice to hear from you. I am unable to help with research information though. I am certain there will be interest from some members on here if a visit is possible. Where I used to work before retiring, we sometimes had guided tours of customers, sometimes even students. Anti static coat and a visitor badge plus escorted all areas was required. The main problem was prior security clearance as we were a MoD supplier and some areas were still off limit.
After retiring, even I am not allowed back within any area other than reception unless prior security clearance has been obtained. They were unable to erase my brain cache though!
Rob

barrymagrec · 4th Feb 2019, 12:26 pm

I mentioned elsewhere that my Grandmothers house was directly opposite Avocet house in Vauxhall Bridge Road - I assumed that it was only offices and that the factory was elsewhere, I seem to remember some sort of rebuilding / renovation went on in the late fifties / early sixties.

I was obviously quite young at the time, in 1968 all the houses on the south side of the road opposite Avocet house were demolished and my Grandmother re-housed in newly built flats close by.

I haven`t been along Vauxhall Bridge Road since the advent of the congestion charge so I have no idea what it is like there now.

kalee20 · 4th Feb 2019, 2:09 pm

Sounds a really interesting visit!

I have come across a couple of Avo coil winders, although never actually used one. They looked a bit too small and delicate for the coils I usually wind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinshack

They were unable to erase my brain cache though!

One day that may be possible! (Shudders...)

2nd Feb 2019, 7:58 pm	#1
Andrew Mawson Triode Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Battle, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 22	Visit to AVO factory. I'm new here. When I was in school back in the 1960's one of my friend's father was a director of AVO and arranged for us both to go on a tour of their 'factory' in Vauxhall Bridge Road. I say 'factory' as it was a series of buildings joined up at many levels. I was particularly impressed by one basement full of Douglas Coil Winders - one of their products, but winding bits for the range of Avo's in production. Not very long after that they moved to Dover.

2nd Feb 2019, 11:27 pm	#2
buggies Heptode Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Lothian, UK. Posts: 761	Re: Visit to AVO factory. Hi Andrew, Sounds similar to the basement at Perdio in Bonhill Street. I only had to wind a few coils on a machine but the worst were experimental EHT windings - only about 3mm wide but about 20 high - and very prone to collapsing... Would you be a refugee from USENET UK diy and ME?? __________________ George

2nd Feb 2019, 11:33 pm	#3
Sinewave Octode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Oxfordshire/Bucks borders, UK. Posts: 1,604	Re: Visit to AVO factory. I got excited there and thought this was a thread about an official forum visit to Avo Dover __________________ Avometer, vintage Fluke and Marconi collector. Also interested in vintage Yaesu and KW.

3rd Feb 2019, 6:49 pm	#5
CambridgeWorks Nonode Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 2,859	Re: Visit to AVO factory. Has anyone actually asked if a visit is possible for a few forum members? There was someone from AVO, a new member a year or little more ago asking for information on products history I think. Anyone able to contact him? Just a thought, I don't want to visit personally. Rob __________________ Apprehension creeping like a tube train up your spine - Cymbaline. Film More soundtrack - Pink Floyd

4th Feb 2019, 8:00 am	#6
AndyGilham Pentode Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dover, Kent, UK. Posts: 235	Re: Visit to AVO factory. To answer robinshack, I am that employee of Megger Dover, who has become a keen member of this forum. Our site down here in Dover is soon to undergo a big re-development, and part of that plan is to open a heritage centre that I requested. Having a chat with my MD, he is keen for this to happen and I will be looking after it. The plan was to allow access to general interested public once it was up and running (under supervisions of course). However, a tour of the facilities requires some further consideration. that would have to be discussed with HR (Health & Safety...etc). I will endeavour to keep everyone informed. Andy

4th Feb 2019, 8:01 am	#7
AndyGilham Pentode Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dover, Kent, UK. Posts: 235	Re: Visit to AVO factory. Additionally, I have been compiling a history of the company, and have little information regarding Vauxhall bridge road site, so any photos or details would be appreciated. Andy

4th Feb 2019, 11:34 am	#8
Andrew Mawson Triode Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Battle, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 22	Re: Visit to AVO factory. Andy, sadly when I visited back in the 1960's I was far too young to own a camera, and mobile phones hadn't even been dreamed of! Even to my young eye it all looked fairly Dickensian, and rather chaotic. The chap who was a Director at the time was by the name of Fowler. He will be long gone by now but I may just possibly be able to re-make contact with his son and see if the family albums have anything relevant.

4th Feb 2019, 11:49 am	#9
CambridgeWorks Nonode Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Spalding, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 2,859	Re: Visit to AVO factory. OK Andy, Nice to hear from you. I am unable to help with research information though. I am certain there will be interest from some members on here if a visit is possible. Where I used to work before retiring, we sometimes had guided tours of customers, sometimes even students. Anti static coat and a visitor badge plus escorted all areas was required. The main problem was prior security clearance as we were a MoD supplier and some areas were still off limit. After retiring, even I am not allowed back within any area other than reception unless prior security clearance has been obtained. They were unable to erase my brain cache though! Rob __________________ Apprehension creeping like a tube train up your spine - Cymbaline. Film More soundtrack - Pink Floyd

4th Feb 2019, 12:26 pm	#10
barrymagrec Octode Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Morden, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,558	Re: Visit to AVO factory. I mentioned elsewhere that my Grandmothers house was directly opposite Avocet house in Vauxhall Bridge Road - I assumed that it was only offices and that the factory was elsewhere, I seem to remember some sort of rebuilding / renovation went on in the late fifties / early sixties. I was obviously quite young at the time, in 1968 all the houses on the south side of the road opposite Avocet house were demolished and my Grandmother re-housed in newly built flats close by. I haven`t been along Vauxhall Bridge Road since the advent of the congestion charge so I have no idea what it is like there now.