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Michael Mortimer Cliff aka Mike Cliff - Winton High School 1945-47

From a long line of distinguished Brass Band Instrument Players, My grandfather Fred Mortimer, conducted Fodens Motor Works Band from the late 20`s to the early 50`s. Three of my uncles also played Brass. Harry Mortimer was a renowned cornet player, my uncle Alex played the Euphonium, and my uncle Rex played the Tenor Horn. (Web masters note: This long line of distinguished Brass instrument players however stopped at Mike. But fret not, the strong tradition of music in the Mortimer Clan is still as strong as ever since Mike was indeed encouraged to learn the Piano. Starting at the age of 8 he no doubt hammers a mean chord when the mood takes him. - Ernie) I went to Winton Senior in 1945 and was there until 1947 when I moved on to Walkden Technical School. After leaving Walkden Tech. I went to work at Lancaster & Tonge in Salford, where I served my time as a centre lathe turner hoping eventually to get into the drawing office. During my time at Lancasters, I went to evening school at Salford Tech.,when I was 21 and had served my apprenticeship it became obvious to me that I wasn't going to get into the drawing office, so I went to Metropolitan Vickers and got a job in the General Engineering drawing office which was mainly concerned with power station plant layout. I stayed there for six years and then joined my father at W.H.Whittle (Eccles) Ltd. where he had worked since 1935 and had eventually taken over. I stayed there for four years, and as often happens father & son in the same business, it didn't work out. My main hobby  was photography and I applied for a job with F.George Laughton (Manchester) Ltd., a very respected independent photographic dealer, whose main shop was in Wilmslow, with branches in Chorlton, Stockport & St.Helens, I went to manage the St Helens shop and stayed there for six years before transferring to to Wilmslow. I was with Laughtons for 25 years, and eventually Mr Laughton sold out to a company from Wigan called Wildings, I was with them for a further five years and eventually we came to an acrimonious parting of the ways. Being 58 years of age now, and not being able to afford to retire, I set up my own video business, making videos for many local companies and indeed one for a publishing company in Canada. I retired last year at the age of 68, wishing that I had gone into the video business years ago !, hindsight is a wonderful thing isn`t it ! Just one point of interest, when I was at Lancaster & Tonge`s, the works manager was John William Powell (John Willie to everyone), he was the father of Robert Powell the actor. There you are, I told you that my profile wasn't very interesting didn't I.

Kindest Regards, Mike Cliff

On the contrary Mike, You had a very full and interesting life. Not many people build a successful business ya! know. :) - Ernie

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