Ernest Timms

Ernest Timms, Moston Bank Works, Church Lane, Manchester 9

The Moston Bank Works were on Moston Bank Lane off Church Lane. This area is now covered by new housing but the last occupant of the works (so far found) was Rickardo Plastics/Samuel’s Foam Products a manufacturer of foam pillows and cushions who had a bankruptcy petition filled in 1968.

Postal districts were introduced in Manchester in 1867/8 but there were only eight districts. Therefore it is possible that the Ernest Timms tins date between 1932 when a wider district scheme was introduced and 1960 when the company ceased to exist.

This account was provided by Howard Jones. “My father Peter Marsh Jones, who was born in Moston in 1927 and lived in Fold Street, worked for Ernest at his small business. Dad would open the workshop each morning and fire up the boiler to melt the wax, get everything ready for the day’s work. He describes it as one of the happiest periods of his life and he has fond memories of both Ernest and his wife. Apparently one of the slogans for the shoe polish ran along the lines of ‘Eton Shoe Polish, good enough to eat’. I know they were hard times but quite why anyone would want to beats me!”
THE LONDON GAZETTE, 1 FEBRUARY, 1921
NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, Elizabeth Timms, Frank Timms and Ernest Timms, carrying on business as Household Requisite Manufacturers, at 250, Collyhurst-road, in the city of Manchester, under the style or firm of “TOWER BRAND MANUFACTURING COMPANY” has been dissolved by mutual consent as and from the 28th day of January, 1921. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will_be received and paid by the said Frank Timms and Ernest Timms, who will continue to carry on the said business under the same style and at the same address.
Dated this 28th day of January, 1921.
ELIZABETH TIMMS
FRANK TIMMS
ERNEST TIMMS
THE LONDON GAZETTE, 16TH FEBRUARY 1960
BOARD OF TRADE
Companies Registration Office, Bush House, South West Wing, Strand, London W.C.2.
16th February 1960.
COMPANIES ACT. 1948
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to section 353 (5) of the Companies Act, 1948, that the names of the undermentioned Companies have been struck off the Register. Such Companies are accordingly dissolved as from the date of -the publication of this notice.

Ernest Timms & Co., Limited

Ernest Timms & Co., Limited
On the label
Eton Shoe-Shine
Black
Directions
Apply with finger tips to render waterproof and avoid waste.
Made by Ernest Timms, Moston Bank Works, Church Lane, Manchester 9.
Eton black shoe-shine
Photo: David Pratt
This 75mm diameter tin is simply printed in black on green. Quite why they thought customers should use their fingers to apply a black product is unclear although this was common with dubbins where the warmth of the hand aided application and absorption – no reference to buffing to a shine either!
On the label
Eaton Boot Preservative
Dark Brown
Made by Ernest Timms
Moston Bank Works, Moston, Manchester, 9
Eton Boot Preservative
Photo: David Pratt
This 75mm diameter tin is simply printed in black on brown.