Keith Atkinson
Keith belongs to: The Doxford Engine Friends Association
Keith served his apprenticeship in various departments at Doxford's, leaving in 1959. He spent time at sea with the Bank Line working through the ranks to become Chief Engineer Officer. Keith has spent the last 20 years working in marine consultation and surveying.
Keith was interviewed by Carl Greenwood on 9 March 2006. The interview took place at Sunderland Museum and lasted 29 minutes and 57 seconds.
The atmosphere at Doxford's
"The atmosphere was very, very camaraderie"
The atmosphere was very, very camaraderie, it was very good, and of course when you’re resident there, and particularly for me, having served my apprenticeship there, a lot of people actually on the shop floor were well known to me, and I think I, on more than one occasions, was apprehended by the management saying, “right, you know, if you really want anything done, you should really go through the office rather than go to the people direct.”
But I think it worked both ways because we were, we were very agreeing with various modifications that the, that the company wanted to do, so I think it was a fair balance for the work that we wanted to do as additional, so it was a very amicable situation, generally. But we got on very well indeed, and the people at Doxford’s were very, very, very friendly, very affable people.
Keith has 12 memories in the memorynet:
Keith's memories with a Work theme:
His father- Uncle Ted
- Starting at Doxford's
- Asbestos
- Finishing apprenticeship and going to sea
- First voyage with the Bank Line
- Returning to work in the North East
- The value of a Doxford's apprenticeship
- Skills and experiences from Doxford's apprenticeship
- The atmosphere at Doxford's
Apprenticeship certificate- Doxford's reference
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