A widow from Scalby has kindly donated her husband’s prized lathe to Derwent Training, following his passing in 2023.

Patricia Hartley and husband David were married for 63 years, and he was truly passionate about engineering, always tinkering in the garage and making things including a clock for which he even made every internal screw and nut.

Patricia explains: ”Engineering was a huge part of David’s life and it really brought him joy. He spent so many hours working with his lathe and when he passed, I wanted it to go somewhere where it could help others learning these same skills.”

David Hartley was born in Hornsea and completed an Engineering Apprenticeship in Bradford at English Electric. He was then called to do National Service with the Army and Military Police for three years before returning to complete his Apprenticeship. After this, he continued his career as a Mechanical Engineer selling lathes to customers.

Derwent Training’s Mechanical Trainer, Bob Hardie, coordinated the donation with Patricia and together with the team, made the decision to donate the lathe to third-year apprentice Archie from DA Oldfield in Elvington, York. Archie and Donald Oldfield, who is owner of DA Oldfield but also one of the founders of Derwent Training met with Patricia to see the handover of the lathe.

Bob explained: ”This lathe will help DA Oldfield in their day-to-day work manufacturing machines for the glass industry and Archie was chosen due to his genuine interest in engineering. He has a real passion in looking at how things work, how they’re made and is keen to learn – very much like David Hartley.”