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Tudor Gwilliam-ReesVintage radio enthusiast / trader |
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Tudor Gwilliam-ReesVintage radio enthusiast / trader |
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PERSONAL PROFILE & LIFE HISTORY
Name:- Tudor Gwilliam-Rees
Name Origin:- Tudor - Father's choice, old Welsh name after
St. Tudor, a 6th Century Saint - visit St. Tudor's Church,
Mynyddislwyn, near Cardiff.
Gwilliam - Mother's maiden name from Hereford - Great
Grandfather was World Ploughing Champion, with horses, of
course.
Rees - Father's Surname - possibly origins in Germany Town
of Rees on Dutch border!).
Date of Birth:- 2/10/43
Place of Birth:- Neath, near Swansea - South Wales
Father:- John Rees early pioneer in Plastics, especially
Fibre Glass, built the first Fibre Glass Boat! Died 23
years ago.
Mother:- Iris Gwilliam, still living in Bristol, remarried.
Home Town:- Bristol - although born in Wales, moved to
Bristol at an early age.
North Devon:- Moved to North Devon, first near Combe
Martin, mid 1994, moved to Bideford in 1995, like the town
& intend to stay if I can.
Hobbies
Hobbies up to age of sixteen:- Radio, built my first radio
at age of 8, got circuit published at age of 12 - radio mad
really - built High power record players - taking to youth
clubs, etc. Pioneer Disk Jockey in a way.
Hobbies age sixteen onwards:- Vintage Radio & American
antique motorcycles & cars. Used to go to Winter Rallies
in Europe & North Wales. Owned 1942 Harley-Davidson
(formed Vintage American Motorcycle Club in the
late1960's),1937 Chevrolet, & bought a new Cadillac in
the1980's - now riding a bicycle. Was a Round Tabler for a
number of years, then a Rotarian up to point of business
collapse in 1993.
Present Day hobbies & pursuits:- Vintage Radio, Rock &
Roll up to 1960, architecture, walking the North Devon
Coast & Countryside.
Public Speaking:- Have given several talks on the History
of Radio - mainly at Round Table & Rotary club meetings.
Travel:- Most of the UK in van collecting Vintage Radio &
Hi-Fi equipment for my late company. Japan about 12 times
securing orders & having a good time! Germany by
motorcycle during courtship & days of Marriage due to
wife's origins. Other countries visited include, France,
Holland, Belgium, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, USA, Eire,
Sri Lanka, Alaska, Arabia, etc.
Education
Primary Education:- in South Wales & Filton near Bristol.
Secondary Education:- Bristol Grammar School - usual O
levels, etc.
Further Education & Training
Electronics & Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship -
British Aircraft Corporation, Filton for five years, 1959
to 1963. Pass in HNC Electronics.
Skills acquired :- Electronics, electronic drawing &
design, electrical & mechanical engineering, general &
prototype wiring of control systems, panels, guided
missiles, aircraft & "Bristol Cars".
Employment History & Practical Experience
1. Time & Motion/Work Study - 1963 to 1964, City & County
of Bristol, vehicle maintenance & Transport & Cleansing
dept's - 12 months. Top grade pass in "Standard Costing" &
"Work Measurement" via auspices of "The Institute of Work
Study Practitioners".
2. Chief Research Technician, University of Bristol - 1965
to 1972 - X Ray
Topography Laboratory, H. H. Wills Physics Laboratory -
Bristol.
Served with Doctor Hart, later to become Professor Hart of
Kings College, London.
3. Founder & Managing Director of 'Tudor Rees - Vintage
Services'later to become "The Vintage Wireless Company Ltd"
- Part time late 1960's then full time 1972 to December
1993, retail & mail order company, located in Bristol,
employing 5 persons.
The company specialised in the restoration & supply
of vintage radio, Vintage car radios and Hi-Fi equipment
with a large international clientele. Twice South West's
export award winner selling second hand Hi-Fi to Japan
. Was the very first business in this subject
world-wide - now there are several in the UK alone.
The company carried huge stocks of valves, vintage
components, vintage radio & TV, plus an unique library of
Vintage Service data & historical information.
4. After Liquidation of my company became Technician to
"Bedminster Down Secondary School", Bristol - February 1994
to July 7th 1994. Responsible for, Maintenance &
construction of electrical, electromechanical, electronic &
engineering items in the Science, Design, Food, Technology &
general Dept's throughout the school.
5. Various part time temping electrical jobs in North
Devon, at companies such as Brannoc Fibres (Ladies hygiene
products - Braunton), Caperboard (Chipboard - South
Moulton) & Baysis Marine (Naval products - Barnstaple).
6. Then acquired post of Electrical Engineer (Electrician)
- full time staff position July 1995 until March 1997 at
Shapland & Petter Ltd, Barnstaple (Doors for the the best
buildings in the World - No. 10 Downing Street to a Korean
Police Station!), part of a small team of engineers,
working on installation, repair & maintenance of all types
of woodworking & office machinery, general factory
electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, electromechanical, CNC,
electronic machines & systems - until made redundant in
March 1994 due to firm's contraction.
7. During the time since in North Devon - ran Savoy Hill
Publications*, supplying copies of circuits & manuals to
enthusiasts purely as a hobby.
8. Now, after completing a period of in depth market
research, have commenced,full time employment once again in
my lifetime love of Vintage Radio.
In addition to supplying copies of technical
manuals for old radios - I also repair & restore radios to
any standard required by the customer. I also sell valves
& components - this side I intend to expand.
* The trading name was inspired by the name of the
BBC (British Broadcasting Company) studios at Savoy Hill,
which they occupied from May 1st 1923 until May 1932 when
the new Broadcasting House was completed.
I also have,the old City of Westminster -
Savoy Hill road signs off the actual building - one in
china with a wooden frame the other in enamelled steel.
Write to Enrico Tedeschi, enrico@
Brighton-UK.com
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