Celebrating 20 Years of John “Beaky” Challis at Warren

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During his two decades with Warren, John has played a crucial role in helping the business expand and tackle a range of complex projects, many of which have taken us worldwide. One standout project was with Jackstones Vertical Plate Freezer Systems, where we were tasked with producing vertical freezer plates used for instantly freezing fish on board massive ships. The challenge? These plates were made entirely of aluminium, a material we hadn’t extensively worked with before.

This project required an incredibly precise welding process, one that involved pre-heating the plates, performing a long, continuous weld, and finally pressure-testing the results. John rose to the challenge by undergoing specialist training at the TWI Welding Institute in Cambridge, ensuring that the work met the highest standards. Even today, Martin Odell from TWI still remembers John, and his test piece is held as a testament to his skill.

A commitment to learning and sharing knowledge

Throughout his time at Warren, John has never stopped learning. He’s undergone further training and testing at the TWI over the years and now holds several prestigious qualifications, including a CSWIP 3.1 certification. His dedication to continuous improvement, both personally and professionally, has been an inspiration to all of us at Warren.

What sets John apart even more is his willingness to share his skills with others, particularly our apprentices. His knowledge, experience, and unwavering commitment to quality have been passed down to the next generation of welders at Warren. John’s patience and mentorship have helped to shape the future of our company, and for that, we are deeply grateful.

A true asset and character

John is more than just an exceptional welder; he’s an indispensable part of Warren’s culture. His loyalty, unflappable nature, and ever-present sense of humour make him a real character. No matter the challenge, nothing seems to phase him, and he’s always there to lend a hand or offer advice.

As we celebrate John’s 20 years with us, we look back with gratitude for everything he’s done to support Warren’s growth and success. His contributions have been immense, and we are truly fortunate to have him as part of our team. Here’s to many more years of working alongside John and continuing to build on the strong foundation he helped create.

From everyone at Warren, thank you, John, for your unwavering dedication and incredible skill. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

A Memorable Evening at the Bridge Theatre: Warren’s Grand Project

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We’re excited to share with you a delightful experience that took place on the 76th birthday of Warren’s Founder Owner, Richard Bridgman, November 24th. To celebrate this special day, Richard and his wife Sharon accompanied by a couple of close friends, made their way to the iconic Bridge Theatre in London for a spectacular performance of “Guys and Dolls.”

Now, for those of you who were part of the Warren family before 2017, the Bridge Theatre holds a special place in our hearts. It stands as a testament to one of the most significant projects we’ve ever undertaken. Our team was responsible for constructing every element of the theatre, from the walls and walkways to stairways, tiered platforms, balustrades, and balcony bars. The sheer scale of the fabrications and walls challenged our capacity to the absolute limit, but the end result was nothing short of extraordinary.

Returning to the Bridge Theatre six years later felt like living a dream for Richard. The craftsmanship still looked impeccable, and witnessing the show was the perfect way to reminisce about the challenges we faced during the construction. The performance itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, captivating us from start to finish.

As a special treat before the theatre officially opened its doors in 2017, Warren was generously given tickets for a “Builders Night.” This event was a chance for those involved in the construction to come together, enjoy a show, and relish in the success of our hard work. It was a night filled with camaraderie, laughter, and a shared appreciation for the incredible journey we had undertaken.

As we reflect on this memorable evening, we can’t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, grateful for the opportunity to witness the fruits of our labour continuing to shine on the grand stage.

Here’s to the Bridge Theatre, the memories it holds, and the legacy of excellence that Warren Services continues to build upon. Until next time, cheers to the moments that make our journey truly remarkable!

The Rickshaw Revolution in Thetford

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We have some exciting news about a recent development that has the potential to make a significant impact in our town—the Rickshaw Revolution. Inspired by the success of the Rickshaw Project in Bury St Edmunds, Warren has taken the initiative to bring this fantastic endeavour to Thetford.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, the Bury Rickshaw Project is a remarkable organisation run entirely by volunteers, dedicated to providing assistance and support to those in need. Intrigued by their success, we invited Libby, one of the founders of the Bury Rickshaw Project, to a meeting of the Thetford PAG (Partnership Advisory Group) to share her insights.

Libby’s presentation took us on a journey, explaining how the Bury Rickshaw Project started and detailing their progress to date. The project now boasts six rickshaws that offer rides to individuals who face challenges in getting around, particularly the elderly and those with mobility issues. Additionally, Libby informed us about their efforts to collect surplus food and groceries from supermarkets, bakers, and farmers, distributing these items to various support charities across the town. Libby and Sam, the founders, have received recognition from none other than the King and have made appearances on The One Show.

The pictures below show our Founder Owner Richard Bridgman, Judy and Billie from the Norfolk Community Foundation, Julia Nix from the DWP, and David (one of the volunteers from Bury) driving the Rickshaw.

Inspired by the success story, the Thetford PAG unanimously decided to launch a similar project in our town. Judy Dow from the Norfolk Community Foundation, present at the meeting, generously offered assistance, and with collaborative efforts from Judy, Billie, and the Foundation, we recently hosted our inaugural event at the Thetford Guildhall, provided by the Council.

The event featured a Rickshaw on display for attendees to explore and experience firsthand. we were overwhelmed by the turnout—over 60 individuals from charities, various organisations, councils, and businesses attended, including the Mayor of Thetford.

Special thanks to Judy and Billie from the Norfolk Community Foundation, Julia Nix from the DWP, and David, a dedicated volunteer from Bury, who drove the Rickshaw during the event. Your support and enthusiasm have laid the foundation for what promises to be a transformative initiative for our community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this first meeting a resounding success.

Allen Towler’s Retirement

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Allen Towler retires, after 23 years service.

Allen started with us back in the Old School at Feltwell. Allen is traditionally a turner; mostly manual, but he moved over to CNC on the small Haas machine later. It’s only at times like this that you reflect on the past.

Founder and Owner of Warren, Richard Bridgen said, “After we started doing the winch drums, they were getting bigger and bigger in diameter, as well as longer. I can remember taking Allen to a machine tool dealer in Newmarket, to look at a long bed lathe that we bought. Once installed, that was the beginning of our journey into the really big drums.

“I can still see Allen wearing a pair of metal studded gauntlets (a bit like chainmail) pulling the swarf away in long lengths when scrolling the grooves; this was highly dangerous work.

“To mark Allen’s retirement after 23 years, Sharon and I wanted to take him and his wife Val out for a meal. As Squeak is a good friend of Alan’s we invited him as well. After a lot of thought, we all decided on Valley Connection an Indian restaurant in Bury. Alan does a bit of Indian cooking so he knows all the spices and dishes. I agreed to act as chauffeur so they could all have a drink. The food was wonderful and was enjoyed by all. We had a good chat about the old days and how Warren has changed over the years. It’s always great to get together and reflect on the past. Currently, Allen was still working through his job list. I suggested he might need to get back to his fishing. After leaving the restaurant, we all enjoyed a walk around the town, as it was such a lovely warm evening.

“Everyone at Warren wishes Allen well and here is a very personal ‘thank you’ from Sharon and I, for those 23 years (what a journey!).”

Allen Towler retired from Warren on Friday 19th May. We wish him all the best for his retirement.

End of an era

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Way back in 1990, when Richard and Sharon started Warren in the Old School at Feltwell, they were joined by three guys who had worked for Richard in Brandon – Paul Green (Squeak), Paul Tuffs (Tuffy) and Ray Underhill. Tuffy worked with us until 1993, when he left to go and work at Chase Plastics.

Reunion, with Ray (far left)

This Christmas, Ray Retired to spend more time with his wife and do some travelling. Ray is quite a character and a well respected engineer. He gets those milling jobs that are hard to clamp down, hold and machine. He’s most happy working on a Bridgeport rather than a CNC. Throughout the years working with us, Ray has worked in all areas of the business and at both sites. He will be sorely missed by those in the Milling section, especially by some of the young lads who he has helped nurture through the years.

Ray is certainly a one-off and has helped make and shape what Warren is today. Squeak is now the only one left holding the baton of the original employees along with Richard and Sharon. We all wish you well in your much earned retirement Ray.