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| Notices |
| Notices and announcements placed by btmrstaff.co.uk members |
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| From: Ken Monaghan | Posted: 16-9-2025 |
 | | Farewell John Greatbanks |
| |  With a sad heart I have to inform you of the passing of John Greatbanks.
John, most people probably knew him as Johnny G, started his BT days in and around the Oldham area, but I knew him from my days at Collyhurst Exch in the 70's &
80's.
His son Mike sent me the following email
Hi Ken,
Sorry for the unexpected nature of this email.
I am Mike - son of John Greatbanks and unfortunately, have sad news.
My dad passed away on 7th Of Sept after a cancer diagnosis earlier on this year.
I am assuming you are possibly one of his former work colleagues from BT. If so, please could you pass this on to anyone who knew him.
His funeral will take place on Friday 10th of October at 1pm in Blackley Crematorium and there will be wake at the Woodthorpe on Bury Old Rd.
Kind Rgards
Mike |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 14-9-2025 |
| | Farewell John Drake |
| | Alan Farrell contacted us with the sad news of John's death.
Many people will remember John as he was P.O.E.U internal North Branch Sec, Also was elected on to the Nation Exec . He just lately moved to live up in Scotland.
John's funeral arrangements:
Tuesday 23 Sept at 14:00 hrs
Blackley Cemetery and Crematorium
Victoria Avenue
Blackley
M9 8JP
After the service there will be a wake
Boat and Horses
Broadway
Chadderton
Oldham
OL9 8AU |
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| 3 comments posted by: Kevin Stoner, Dave Beech, Janet & Ian Hodgson, | |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 4-9-2025 |
 | | Farewell Mike Lamb |
| |  Colin Woodbridge contacted us with the sad news of Mike's passing.
Mike Lamb passed away on Wednesday 20th August due to long term health issues.
Mike worked on UG and then came into Dial House on the MEAS Team. From there he ended his day on the 24-7 fault reception shift team.
He retired about five years ago.
Mikes funeral details:
Updated, thanks Paul Southworth
Wednesday 10th September at 14:15pm
Stockport Cemetery and Crematorium, Cypress Chapel
Buxton Road
Stockport
SK2 6LS
Then onto:
Houldsworth working men’s club
35 Leamington Road
North Reddish
Stockport
SK5 6BD |
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| 5 comments posted by: Andy redford, Earl, Chris Beirne, Fiona tweedy, Horseman, | |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 31-8-2025 |
 | | Neil Ramsbottom Asks |
| | Neil asks, does anyone remember his dad Brian Ramsbottom?
If you do remember Brian, please leave a comment!
Hello,
My father the subject was a BT engineer for many years, starting as an apprentice in the GPO around the early 70s.
He was left the company around ten years ago for medical reasons and has since development dementia.
I am curious to know if any of his former colleagues remember him or have any stories about him.
I know he used to work in 'Central' in Manchester city centre and a place I think was called 'Manchester F' in the 90s. He worked as a transmission engineer and was all over the place.
I remember he went to a place called 'Stone' for training courses when I was a child.
If you know of anybody or have the capacity to ask your members if they remember him, I would like to get in touch. I'd like to know more about my fathers career, but he cannot remember to tell me.
- Neil Ramsbottom |
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| 2 comments posted by: Dave Beech, Paul G Shaw, | |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 28-8-2025 |
| | Farewell Frank Holt |
| |  Edward Harrop contacted us regarding the passing or Frank.
Following on his son Daniel filled us in with the funeral details.
It would appear that Frank worked in Dial House at some point there is a photo of him with a group from ACE CP on the website. Frank is on the back row fourth from the left. Click Photos then search for Frank Holt to see it.
Frank's funeral details
Anyone who would like to attend the wake please get in touch using our Contacts page and it will be passed on to Daniel so he can arrange catering.
Thursday 11th September at 10:45 am
Warburtons Coop Funeral Care
The Old School Chapel
Broadstone Street
Todmorden
OL14 8AL
Then to the cremation at 12:15 pm
Burnley Crematorium
Accrington Road
Burnley
BB11 5QD
The wake will be around 13:30 pm
Top Brink Inn
Lumbutts
Todmorden
OL14 6JB |
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| 1 comment posted by: Geoff Prytherch | |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 13-8-2025 |
 | | Remembering Phil Bright |
| | Pat Bright, Phil's wife contacted us about the sad death of her husband Phil.
I found your site after going through Phil's phone. It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of Phil Bright. He died on 2nd April 2025 after a long battle with cancer and heart problems. I hope there is still some ex-staff who remember him.
I met Phil at the BT Training College at Yarnfield in 1989. In 1991 Phil came to live in the Stone, Stafford area.
We had a private cremation and there was a memorial service in Manchester as his family lived there. He enjoyed living in the rural area but never forgot his roots.
Pat.
In Phil's own words from the website:
Keith Davis and I took voluntary redundancy from TVNSC in 1996. In 1998 I married my second wife who I met at BTTC Stone and moved to Eccleshall.
Y3YC 1964-1967 T2a 1967-1970 Pioneer Exchange in Dial House 1970-1996 Rutherford Guardian and Manchester 'A' Trunk Test and last but not least TVNSC.
I had various jobs subsequently ranging form franchise manager in Stoke CCTV with Nynex to bus driving in Stafford with Arriva and much in between. I eventually called it a day on reaching my 70th birthday and retired.
I remember Phil from his Time in Dial House, He was always happy go lucky with a smile for everyone. RIP. |
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| 7 comments posted by: Phil Turner, Alan Whitehead, Kevin Grimshaw, David Bleackley, Terry Hall, Ian Southworth, Pat Bright, | |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 10-8-2025 |
 | | Farewell Jim Currie |
| |  Mike Norris found out about the passing of Jimmy Currie. Jim worked for EL and P in Dial House for many years. He had an unmistakable strong Scottish Accent.
Jim was a Great Lad, who was active and excelled at many sports for the partially sighted. Jim was instrumental in organising the EL and P social get togethers and will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure to be in his company. RIP Jim. 🏴🏴🏴
Jim's funeral details:
Please wear bright colours, no black ties or dark suits.
Friday 15th August at 11:30am
Cemetery Road - access via Greenbank Road
Radcliffe
M26 4EU
Then onto
Radcliffe Football Club, Pickford Suite
Neuven Stadium
Colshaw Close East
Radcliffe
M26 3PE |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 27-7-2025 |
| | Remembering Geoff Brown 🕊 |
| | Terry Hall has been in touch regarding the sad news of Geoff's death.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Geoff Brown – a proud Aldwinian whose contribution to the club stretched across decades.
Geoff worked on External planning for many years.
On taking a release package he became the tenant of the Silver Springs in Denton and then becoming the Steward of Aldwinians Rugby Club in Audenshaw.
During his time at BT he did a two secondment in Libya laying cables in the desert.
Geoff joined the GPO as an apprentice leaving in 1992 under the Sovereign scheme.
From Aldwinians RUFC
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Geoff Brown — a cherished member of our community and a true friend to many at Aldwinians RUFC.
Geoff’s funeral service:
Monday, 28th at 1:30pm
Cypress Chapel
Stockport Crematorium
Buxton Rd
SK2 6LS
Following the service, we warmly invite friends and family to join us for refreshments and the opportunity to celebrate Geoff’s life together.
Aldwinians RUFC
Droylsden Road
Audenshaw
M34 5SN |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 19-7-2025 |
| | Farewell John O'Mara |
| |  Angela, John's daughter contacted us about the passing of her dad John.
I'm just emailing to let you know my dad passed away on 12th July aged 82 after a short illness.
Please could you let those who may have known him from his days at BT I know.
He worked at Dial House for 30 years from the 60's to the 90's which is also where he met my mum Beryl.
All who knew him are welcome to attend. Family flowers only, donations to Parkinson's UK.
Thanks,
Angela.
John's funeral:-
Thursday 31st July at 10:30am
Service:
St. Edwards Church
Spring Lane
Lees
Oldham
OL4 5AJ
Burial:
Lees Cemetery
Thomas Street
Lees
Oldham
OL4 5BT
Refreshments:
The Grapes
161 St. John Street
Lees
Oldham
OL4 3DR |
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| From: Graham Whiteside | Posted: 3-8-2025 |
| | Goodbye Peter Mannion |
| |  Jeff Horsfall contacted us with the sad news of Peter's death.
Pete passed away on 16th July 2025 after succumbing to that dreaded disease, dementia. The last couple of years have been challenging, to say the least, for everyone that knew him, especially his family. He is finally now at rest.
Pete joined the GPO, as an apprentice, in 1959 60. He is probably best known for his time as ‘TO-In-Charge’ at Prestbury Exchange. When the exchange was upgraded to digital he moved onto Subs App and Line, where he was Special Faults Investigator on Macclesfield RSC area.
After the RSC closed Pete then took up a manager post, in Church Street, Manchester. He left BT mid 1990s on one of the many ‘early release schemes’ and became ‘book keeper’ at his sons plumping business.
He was a great character and sadly, joins a growing army of the GPO’s PO Telephones BT’s greatest.
RIP Peter.
Peters Funeral:
Wednesday 20th August at 11:00am
The Parish Church of St James the Great
Church Lane
Gawsworth
Macclesfield
SK11 9RJ
Followed by a private Service of Committal which will take place at 12.15 p.m. at Macclesfield Crematorium.
Family flowers only, by request, but donations may be made, if so desired, in favour of the Macular Society and the East Cheshire Eye Society Talking Newspaper.
For further information contact the funeral directors:
Andrew Smith Funeral Services
Park Green House
82 Sunderland Street
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK11 6HN
Telephone: 01625 433 853 |
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| 1 comment posted by: andy redford | |
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