Archives of one of Nottingham's major companies are on display at a new exhibition. The Brewhouse Yard museum will present the history of tobacco firm John Player and Sons. Alexander Britton reports
IT began as a small shop in Beast Market Hill in 1860 and went on to become one of Nottingham's best-known brands.
Now, the history of John Player and Sons will be told in a new exhibition that charts the history of the company and its workers.
The display, at the Brewhouse Yard museum, in Castle Boulevard, includes a history of the company as well as working life and social events that took place there.
It draws heavily on archive material and the memories of former employees.
The project is the result of a partnership between the University of Nottingham's school of history and Nottingham City Council's museum and galleries department.
Chris Wrigley, professor of modern British history at the university, said: "There was so much stuff in the archives to sort through, from trading cards to photos of employees and the factories.
"It's great to see the items put together in the exhibition for people to appreciate."
Liz Harvey, professor of history at the university, said: "The whole experience of putting everything together has been an enjoyable and fruitful experience. The former employees have also come together to bring the collection to life and their contributions have been invaluable."
Malcolm Freeman, who worked for Player's for more than 40 years , said he enjoyed the atmosphere at the factory.
Mr Freeman, 65, said: "A lot of people met their husbands and wives at the factory because we were like one big family."
Pat Swallow, 56, of Colwick, had numerous jobs at Player's including factory officer and working in the international department. She said: "When I started, a lot of jobs were only advertised internally and that just added to the family atmosphere.
"They would move people round the departments and I really felt as if I had a job for as long as I wanted one.
"They were really supportive and you just felt as if they cared for each employee."
The exhibition is only a small part of the project, as much of the archive material from the Player's factory will be made available online.
Maria Erskine, keeper of community history for Nottingham museum and galleries, said the exhibition should interested academics and the public.
She said: "The project has been really interesting and is an attempt to educate people about one of Nottingham's key employers."
Andy Newnham, associate of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership between the council and the university, said: "It's been a relief to have it all finished, but it's great to put it all together and see the final product."
Pieces at the exhibition include a bust of the famous sailor who was the face of Player's Navy Cut brand, as well as cards and cartons of cigarettes from over the years.
Georgia Cherry, who volunteered to help the project, said the experience of sorting through the archives was fascinating. The 20-year-old history and art history student said: "There was so much information to go through but the exhibition is really great because so many people from the area were involved with Player's."
Peter Player, whose great-grandfather was John Player, said he was pleased that the contribution of Player's to Nottingham was being acknowledged.
He added: "The project and the exhibition is fantastic.
"They were one of the three big Nottingham companies, along with Raleigh and Boots, and it's great to bring its history to a wider audience."
The exhibition will run until July 3. There will also be a series of talks about the history of Player's and a second exhibition at Nottingham Castle in July.
For more information on the talks, contact the museum on 0115 9153600.
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