For many years the Myford factory building - it had once been a lace works - was a landmark in Beeston, Nottingham. Unfortunately, years of machine-tool production had left the floor boards soaked in oil and it was finally condemned as unsafe by the fire brigade - and had to be demolished. This was probably no bad thing for Boxford's Factory, an old mill, was burnt to the ground some years ago - the oil-soaked flooring may well have played a part in the ferocity of that blaze.