Erie Resistor
The impact of Erie on the town, an interview with Mr Ball
By Richard Dade
Mr Ball reflects on working life before the war and the impact Erie had upon the town
"Before the war most of the female population of Great Yarmouth were employed by two companies, one was Grouts Silk works and Johnson's who made overalls, sea boots for the fishing industry and for the working population.
Grouts began to dwindle and Johnson's didn't seem to be employing so many people and after a few years they both finished. This is where Erie came to the rescue.
The growth of Erie coincided with the growth of the television.
The average television set in those days had over 300 resistors and condensers and that was what Erie made and having moved from London they paid London rates, much higher than manual rates in Yarmouth. So, a lot of the girls they were going down there and working on the line sticking resistors in little holes rather than selling hats and coats up at Arnolds.
There were very few families in Yarmouth who didn't have a member or two members working either mum, dad, sister, brother working at Erie in some capacity. Everybody knew everybody else and a lot of good friends I met there".