PHOTOS of Eastern Coach Works (ECW) always prove popular in Turning Back the Clock, and seeing the ones we have featured in the past has inspired former employee Len Clough to bring a collection of his own to show us.

Len joined the Lowestoft company as an apprentice bodybuilder when he was 16. Now 89, he recalled playing for a number of works sports teams, as well as working on a bus ordered by an Indian prince.

Sport featured heavily in Len's youth, having played snooker, billiards, cricket, football and hockey regularly. He even played football in the Middle East while serving in the Royal Air Force.

And Len is featured at the front left of this Eastern Coach Works cricket team photograph. Also featured are Frank Coates, Jack Bush, Mr Fellings, Mr Godley, Arthur Pithan, John Jones, Bill Fletcher and Ernie Green. The umpire was Dick Tyrrell and the manager was Mr Shirley.

David Bullard, of Sharon Drive, Lowestoft, also highlighted the importance of the social side to Eastern Coach Works when he wrote in with his memories of the factory.

He said: 'Apart from the quality buses and luxury coaches that were produced, there was another side to ECW: the social side.

'The works had a very large social club, which catered for many sports and hobbies.'

David remembered that departments, or shops, as they were known, competed for cups and trophies each year. 'It would be nice to know what happened to these upon closure,' he said. 'Also in the canteen there was a roll-of-honour board for those employees who lost their lives in the second world war and the Korean war.'

The social club also organised a Christmas draw and a party for employees' children that included a magician and gifts.

David said: 'Many years ago, the social club produced a monthly magazine called The Hooter, which detailed all the various sections, results, letters and stories.'

Many of the shops had their own social sections, and he can remember events such as mystery coach tours and Christmas dinners.

Keep those ECW memories and photos coming in – and can anyone else recall The Hooter?