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| Notices |
| Notices and announcements placed by btmrstaff.co.uk members |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 3-4-2026 |
 | | Farewell Bill Smith |
| |  Barry Webb broke the sad news of Bill's death
Bill spent most of his career working on Switch Construction in Manchester Central region until he retired in the early 2000's
If anybody can help with any more information about Bill please get in touch via our contact page or add a comment to this notice.
Funeral details to follow |
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| From: Alfred Brown | Posted: 26-3-2026 |
 | | New Mansion House - Stockport 1983 Ian skinner's pics |
| |  I looked at the past photos and noticed ' Ian Skinner's misc collection ' The '' Manchester South '' Intl exch Planning and Circuit provision team - that was in New Mansion House Stockport from about late 70' to late 80's. I think I set up my camera on a tripod and used a long ' air cable release to take the picture. No idea where my original print is !!! Sadly five in the picture are no longer with us.
'' Dave Garner, Ken Knott, Paul Lavin & Keith Turner,Gordon Clarke ''
I have updated the names that were missing on Ian's notes - L-R.
Keith Massey,Geoff Ridgeway,Dave Garner, Ian Hodkinson,Ian McGrath,Paul Totton, Ken Knott,George Gilks,Ray Buckley , Mike Prior, Mike Bigham, ??, Dave Clegg, Keith Turner, Gerry Mooney, Martin Flanagan,Dave Anderton, Harvey Edwards,Terry Goodall, Debbie, Ian Skinner,Gordon Clarke,Paul Lavin
Seated - l-r, John Day, Alfred Brown, Denis Carroll, Shiela Smith, Clive Downhill. |
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| 1 comment posted by: ANTHONY.MATTHEWS | |
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| From: Alan Parry | Posted: 26-3-2026 |
| | Farewell Paul Sorrell |
| |  I have been asked by Paul's daughter,Clare, to post this notice.
With sadness, I inform you that Paul Sorrell has died.
Paul began his working life with BT in the exchange at Ilford, London - near to where he was from.
In 1979 he transferred to Stalybridge, Tameside in Greater Manchester after he married and his family moved up North.
Paul worked for BT all his working life, on various staffs around Greater Manchester. Notably on Exchange Construction and Wide Band.
He retired in around 2012, after he was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's Disease at aged 50 in 2002. His heart gave out in the end.
Paul made great friends at BT and the family particularly hope to hear from his old friends, John Hall and Carl, as well as anyone else who might wish to attend his funeral.
The arrangements for the funeral are yet to be made, but will follow.
Please note - Funeral time updated, 15 minutes earlier now.
The funeral will take place on Wednesday 8th April at 10:45am, just after Easter, at Our Lady & St Christopher's RC Church, 52 Barrack Hill, Romiley, Stockport, SK6 3BA.
The Rite of Committal will follow at the Rowan Chapel, Stockport Crematorium, Buxton Road, SK2 6LS
The Wake will take place at the St Christopher's Centre, at the back of the Church. Everyone is welcome to come for food and refreshments.
If you do not wish to attend at the Crematorium, for the committal, you can go straight round to the St Christopher's Centre
Clare has asked if you could let her know whether you will be attending the wake, or the funeral only, via the comments on this notice. She would be grateful so that she can make the necessary arrangements. |
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| 9 comments posted by: Mike Newbery, Eric Hilton, John Skelton, Ian Pomfret, Dave Beech, John Skelton, Alan Parry, Andy Fawkes, Alan Parry, | |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 12-1-2026 |
| | Farewell Ron Hawksworth-Williams |
| |  Information from Chris James, Karl Highcock and Steve Cluer. The sad passing of Ron.
Ron worked as a security man in Dial House. Around the building and on the front door.
Alyshia Ebbrel has managed to get hold of Ron's daughter. We now have the funeral arrangements.
Ron's funeral details:-
Monday 19th Jan 2026 at 8:45am
Burnley Crematorium
Accrington Rd
Burnley
BB11 5QD
His family are trying to get numbers so they can sort out a wake for after the funeral.
If you would like to attend the wake please add a comment to the notice or use our contact page by Friday if possible.
Also please check back to the notice prior to the funeral for the venue details. |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 25-3-2026 |
 | | Farewell Jon Riley |
| |  Sid Weeks contacted us with the sad news of Jon's death.
I sadly have to inform you of the death of Jon Riley.
His Wife informed me that he passed away on Monday with her and his daughter at his side.
Jon worked on CP for many years in central Manchester. He took early release and went on to work for various companies. I worked with him at Monterey and at a car hire company in Bury.
As soon as funeral details become available I will pass them on.
Sid Weeks
Only just found out that Jon Riley’s Funeral is tomorrow.
Wednesday 7th Jan at 14:30
Radcliffe Crematorium
Cemetery Road - access via Greenbank Road
Bury
M26 4EU
Then after
15:30 onwards at Bury Golf Club
Blackford Bridge
Unsworth
Bury
BL9 9TJ |
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| 1 comment posted by: Geoff Whalley | |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 11-12-2025 |
| | Farewell Stan Matthews |
| |  Information from multiple sources including John Mitchell, Malc Kershaw and Mike Norris. The sad news of Stan's passing.
Mike wrote on our WhatsApp group:
Gentlemen, just to let you know, John Mitchell has informed me that, sadly, Stan Matthews passed away last Weekend. I’m trying to get more details, including funeral info. If anyone else knows, or is in contact with Stan’s family, please try and help us out.
Stan worked on trunk maintenance duties in Rutherford House, during the early to mid 1970’s.
He later spent many years working in Dial House on Construction, he was a great bloke, always ready to help.
Additional Photos courtesy of Dave Massey, Stan with his Rutherford colleagues at the 2010 Reunion.
Stan's funeral:-
Tuesday 6th January at 2:00pm
Southern Cemetery
Barlow Moor Road
Chorlton
M21 7GL
Then to:
Urmston Conservative Club
29 Crofts Bank Road
Urmston
Manchester
M41 0TZ
Situated above Sainsbury’s. The entrance door can be found on the corner opposite the Police station on Crofts Bank Road. |
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| 2 comments posted by: Gary Williams, Ray Langley, | |
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| From: Fiona Marlow | Posted: 20-11-2025 |
| | Alison Smith |
| |  I am devastated to have to announce that Alison sadly passed away on Friday 7th November 2025. She started worked for BT as an operator, then worked in the NOU and Portland Street and finished off at Dial House before retiring and starting a career for GMP. Message me Fiona Marlow for further info.
Alison's funeral is 10am on Thursday 27th November 2025 at Blackley Crematorium, Centre Chapel, Victoria Ave, Manchester M9 8PJ
Afterwards at Middleton Masonic Hall, The Pavilion,
114 Manchester Old Road, Middleton M24 4DY
Immediate family flowers only.
Alison has requested donations to Springhill Hospice, Broad Lane, Rochdale OL16 4PZ
If you would like to join a webcast for the funeral use this link:-
watch.obitus.com
Username: jegi5140
Pin: 100147
From the GMP website:
It is with deep regret we announce the death of a serving police staff member Alison Smith Collar 63106
Alison joined the Greater Manchester Police on 13th March 2006. She completed 19 years and 8 months of service.
Alison started her career in customer services where she worked from 2006 to 2015 before joining as a local resolution officer on P division until Feb 2020. She then moved to the CCRU.
Alison was a bubbly enthusiastic hard working and determined individual who made a lasting impression on her team and anyone else who was lucky enough to engage and or work with her through the years.
Alison died after a battle with cancer. She died peacefully at home surrounded by her sister Margaret and good friend Fiona. |
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| 6 comments posted by: Ken Monaghan, Brian Howie, andy redford, Pat Horner, Kieran Dunn, Vincent Arnold, | |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 3-11-2025 |
 | | The BIG Xmas meet up! |
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The big Christmas meet up comes but once a year.
The Shamaholics would like to invite all our BT friends, past and present to our BIG Xmas bash.
Get yourself along to:
Wetherspoon's - The Waterhouse
67–71 Princess Street
Manchester
M2 4EG
On Wednesday 17th December from 12:00 to whenever.
We will be in the back room as usual, get there early if you want a seat, it will be rammed.
Meet up with old friends and catch up with all the the banter and stories of the old BT and everything else.
Plenty of beers available and Wetherspoon's menu for those who fancy some grub.
The Shamahloics meet every month on the first Thursday of the month for a few scoops at Sinclair's Oyster Bar, Shambles Square, Manchester from around 12:00. |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 4-11-2025 |
 | | Farewell Gordon Thorpe |
| |  Colin Chatterton contacted us with the sad news of his brother-in-law's death.
Gordon passed away on Wednesday 22nd October after a very short illness.
Gordon joined BT in 1989 as 42-YEAR-OLD APPRENTICE.... and worked for BT for 20 years .... initially Exch-Maintenance in Turret then moved outside on one man installation and faults in the Greater Manchester area. He was always relating tales of his time in BT and frequently said it was the “BEST JOB HE EVER HAD”.
Colin.
Gordon's funeral details:
Tuesday 18th November at 2:00pm
Dukinfield Cemetery and Crematorium
Hall Green Road
Dukinfield
SK16 4EP
At around 2:30 a private burial, for the family only.
Then onto
The Masons Arms
107 Oxford Rd
Dukinfield
SK16 5NT
Please let us know via our contact page if you would like to go to Gordon's wake. |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 1-10-2025 |
 | | Farewell Fred Taylor |
| |  Patrick Allen has contacted us with the sad news of Fred's death.
Fred passed away on Wednesday 24th September after a long illness.
He joined Post Office Telephones in 1962, worked in Lee House, Blackfriars on PW’s Data and worked his way up to a senior roll. He was the key man in the Happy Club formed some years ago a spin off from BT Christmas doo, where we met monthly. He will be sadly missed.
Fred opted for a Pure Cremation therefore there will be no formal funeral, instead his Family are organising a Wake.
Fred's Wake
Sheila and Family extend a warm welcome to a pleasant afternoon in remembrance of Fred, with great memories of a well liked and respected gentleman.
Sunday 2nd November at 2.00pm
Dobbies Sports and Social Club
250 Radcliffe Moor Rd
Bradley Fold
Radcliffe
BL2 6RL |
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| 1 comment posted by: Philip Turner | |
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