Happy birthday, JCB!

...AND TO LORD BAMFORD, WHO WAS BORN ON THE SAME DAY 80 YEARS AGO

- By TELEGRAPH REPORTER

IT WAS an action-packed day of double celebrations as digger maker JCB marked the company’s 80th anniversary.

JCB was founded in a 12ft x 15ft lockup garage in Uttoxeter by Joseph Cyril Bamford on October 23, 1945 - the same day as his son Anthony was born.

The 80th birthday celebrations began yesterday by stepping back in time to where it all began, with Lord Bamford unveiling a blue heritage plaque on the spot where the original garage stood in the High Street, Uttoxeter.

Lord Bamford’s father rented the lockup garage which had no electricity - for 30 shillings a week and it was there he made his first product, a farm trailer built largely from wartime scrap, which he sold for £45 at Uttoxeter market.

Mr Bamford stayed at the garage for 18 months until the owner asked him to leave because she did not approve of Sunday working. He then moved to a stable block at Crakemarsh, a few miles north of the town.

Unveiling the plaque at Hollydene House, Uttoxeter, Lord Bamford said: "My earliest memory of the business is of me playing in my father's workshop. Other than my time at school and my apprenticeship in France with another company, I’ve been around ever since.

“We have developed the business and products along the way enormously. Probably one of the greatest pleasures for me has been in developing products with our formidable team of highly qualified engineers.