The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
A family affair at the London Brick Company
Do you remember some pictures of the Italiancommunity we ran in November, provided by council leader Marco Cereste? They proved very popular with readers and I have gained plenty of information.
Carmelina Pignatiello of Fletton recognised the three men in the picture above.
In the middle was her husband Mario, next to his father Pasquale and uncle Nicola Frascella.
The trio came to the city in the early 50s, and in Mario’s case it was a short- lived stint at the London Brick companybefore he moved on to study and set up his own business.
Carmelina, of Springfield, addedthatPasqualewasMarco Cereste’s grandfather!
London Brick Company archivist Andrew Mortlock helpedme, particularly withlocations andtechnical information. For example, the vehicle shown is a Mammouth Major AEC ( pre- war vehicle).
Andrew added that many companies in the city took on Italian labourers between 1951 and 1957, and some, including Marston’s and Eastwood’s , made several journeys to Italy to recruit.
I have included one or two newpicturesthisweekandwill include moreofAndrew’scomments in a later edition.