Connolly Brothers (Blackley) Ltd was established in 1919, when the assets of Connolly Brothers Ltd were sold to Enfield Cables Limited.
Connollys was a member of the industry body the Cable Makers Association, and was best known for its Blackley Tape product.
As well as the main works in Blackley, Manchester, the company had a factory in Kirkby and offices in London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Aycliffe.
The company became a subsidiary of British Insulated Callenders Cables Ltd in 1959, although it continued to operate independently, manufacturing telephone cable. It was became known as BICC Connollys Ltd in 1975 when a restructure of British Insulated Callenders Cables Ltd resulted in the parent company being renamed BICC Ltd.
In 1999, BICC Ltd sold its cable manufacturing business, including BICC Connollys Ltd, to Corning, which was acquired in turn by Belden Cables in 2000. Belden Cables maintained its operations at the former Connollys (Blackley) Ltd works.
Created and initially known as the War Department from 8 February 1855, this British government department became known as the War Office from 1857, absorbing the various other bodies formerly responsible for Army affairs. On 1 April 1964, it was absorbed into the unified Ministry of Defence.
Date
1910-1961
1910-1961
Scope and ContentThis sub-series has been divided into 9 sub-sub-series.
A2005.108/1/5/1 Product research
A2005.108/1/5/2 Records relating to operation during WW2
A2005.108/1/5/3 Engineering drawings
A2005.108/1/5/4 Manuals and reference material
A2005.108/1/5/5-9 Files relating to various operational issues.
The Ministry of Supply was established in 1939 with responsibility for the Royal Ordnance Factories and for the supply of munitions, clothing etc to the War Office and Air Ministry. In 1946 it took over the responsibilities of the Ministry of Aircraft Production after it was abolished.
In October 1959 the civil aviation functions of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation were transferred to the Ministry of Supply, which was simultaneously disbanded and reconstituted as the Ministry of Aviation; at the same time supply functions, with the exception of those relating to aircraft, guided missiles, radar and electronic equipment, were returned to the Air Ministry and War Office.
The Municipal Corporations Act of 1835 enabled towns to be granted a charter of incorporation after the inhabitants and householders had made an application to the Privy Council. The Charter of Incorporation was given to the town on the 23 October 1838 and allowed the six townships of Manchester, Cheetham, Hulme, Ardwick, Chorlton on Medlock and Beswick to become incorporate and provide the mechanism to set up the Borough of Manchester, made up of a Mayor, 16 aldermen and 48 councillors.
In 1844 the council resolved by an Act of Parliament for the good governance, regulation and policing of the borough by purchase the manorial rights of the Manor of Manchester from the then Lord of the Manor, Sir Oswald Mosely. This was duly done and although the council had a greater control over the well-being and safety of its inhabitants it was still a town. Manchester did not achieve city status until 1853, only the second one to be granted since the Reformation.
