‘The Clang Out.’

Hot Metal Comps. had a unique way of saying goodbye to a workmate who was retiring from the trade.

There was a hell of a lot of racket in the Comp Room when it happened!

The journeyman Comps. and their Apprentices would scatter everywhere grabbing small chases, metal galleys, quoin keys, furniture or anything remotely metal and line up around the work “stone” or “stones” and wait.

Wait for what, you may ask? Yes, it was for some poor old bastard who was retiring.

The noise was deafening as the blokes went ballistic by banging away with their chases and galleys at a furious rate.

 It was bloody wonderful fun and a fitting tribute to the comp for his years of slaving away with lead type and ink.

Gradually with the advent of new technology the clang-out slowly subsided.

There wasn’t much fun in trying to slap two paper bromides together.

It was a bloody sad time! The trade was changing as the new technology swept over us!

derwombat