From the Luton News, May 6th, 1915

The majority of employees of the Skefko Ball Bearing Co Ltd, Leagrave Road, came out on strike on Monday morning. Victimisation of one of their number was alleged as the primary cause, and the men came out when an application by this man to interview one of the directors was refused as he had not taken the usual course of laying his grievance before the works manager.

During the day an urgent appeal was made to the men to return to work on patriotic grounds, pending an inquiry into the supposed grievance, but they declined to do so even though it was pointed out to them that in ceasing work they were hanging up war material which was urgently required.

Resident director Mr T. H. Dryden, who was in London on business, hurried back to meet a deputation of the men that evening, but the men still refused to return to work and put forward a further demand for an increase in wages. Mr Dryden, on behalf of the company, was forced to concede their demands, despite the wage demand being in breach of an agreement made ten weeks earlier. The men, including 40 or 50 who had continued to work, returned to work on Tuesday morning.

[Image: Skefko factory, Leagrave Road, 1911]

• Pte B. Fensome, 6055, 1st Bedfords, who was wounded at Hill 60, is now in the No 2 Temporary Hospital, Exeter. Writing to Mr George Whitelock at 94 Hartley Road, Luton, he said: "I hope in just over a week to be there [Luton]. Then I will tell you something to make your hair stand on end about the Germans. Nothing is too bad for them. I have seen hundred and thousands of women and poor little children homeless. I do not think a good many at home realise what it is like. Everyone who is fit ought to do his share."

• The General Officer Commanding 7th Division expressed his appreciation of the steady conduct of 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. He much regretted the losses sustained by the battalion.

• Luton Town Council's Parks Committee reported that the Secretary of State for War had entered into a new agreement with the Corporation for the tenancy of Wardown House, stables etc from April 1st, at a rent of £5 10s a week, the Secretary of State to pay for gas consumption.

• Luton Town Council's Education Office were moved during the weekend from the corner of Upper George Street into larger and better adapted quarters, lately occupied by the firm of Walter Higgins as a plait warehouse [4 Upper George Street]. The building has been remodelled internally and connected by a covered passage to the Town Hall. This arrangement will permit the adaptation of te old Education Office into an additional committee room. The new office is on the ground floor, and the upper rooms have been allocated to the Medical Officer and the health department. The latter's removal from Waller Street also effects a most desirable improvement.

• The Sanitary Committee was informed that the military authorities were proposing to accommodate troops in camps on the outskirts of the borough, and they would probably adopt the system of bucket latrines. The Acting Medical Officer had protested most strongly against such a system being adopted, and the committee unanimously urged the military authorities not to adopt the pail-closet system as it would be a very grave source of danger to public health. Chief officers of each department would be empowered to engage temporary assistance.

• The Finance Committee resolved that any council clerk entering military service should be paid the salary he was receiving at the date of enlistment, less the amount of military pay and 14s, the estimated value of board and lodging provided by the Government.

• The Highways and Lighting Committee reported that it was unable to accept a 2/1 North Midland Division TF offer to make up a 100 yards of an extended portion of Dallow Road, but to give the Royal Engineers practice in road-making they had given permission for them to construct a road from Hitchin Road to the end of Turner's Road. the materials being supplied by the Corporation.

• The annual report of Luton Fire Brigade said 41 calls were answered in the past year, involving its appliances travelling 102 miles. The motor pump turned out to eight fires, its longest run being of 21 hours at Farley Farm.

• The Luton Woman's Suffrage Society, which is affiliated to the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, is arranging a public meeting to be held in the Town Hall next Thursday. Since the outbreak of war the Society has devoted its energies to "war work" of various kinds, notably the provision of fully-equipped hospital units, staffed by women, for France and Serbia. The chair will be taken by Mrs Violet Lewis, Poor Law Guardian.

• Commercial Cars' awards of merit of gold medallions were given to seven drivers, among them being Harry E. Winch, of 8 Boyle Street, Luton, who had completed eight years service with the company. Medals also went to a driver with Reynolds, Sons & Co who had covered nearly 95,000 miles in a Commer vehicle, and a driver with Lipton Ltd who had covered 100,000 miles in a Commer car.