Below is wonderful collection of photographs and documents sent to us by Paul Walker, the son or Ron Walker, Ron worked for Ditchburn from 1958 to 1973 but we have also included details of Ron’s career before and after Ditchburn to show his determination to succeed and also to show other historical aspects of the UK Coin Op and leisure business during this era.
Photo Ref: DB530 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Ron started his career as an electrical apprentice with TF James Ltd.
Ron Walker then joined Ditchburn in 1958
Photo Ref: DB531 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB532 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB533 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB534 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB535 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB536 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB538 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB539 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB540 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB541 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB542 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB543 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB544 Courtesy of Paul Walker
In 1973 things were not looking good for Ditchburn, they had sold off the jukebox side of the business to Gainesmead, Ron Walker had left Ditchburn to work with Gainesmead as part of the sell off, but like others, he found that Gainesmead were not a good company to work for, so he returned to Ditchburn, but missed the Jukebox business badly, so he eventually decided to leave Ditchburn and join some of the leading UK Jukebox operators of the time.
Photo Ref: DB555 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB545 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB556 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB557 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB558 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB559 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB560 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB561 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB562 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB563 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB565 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Photo Ref: DB566 Courtesy of Paul Walker
Below is a silver plated plated trophy presented to Ron Walker in 1965 for being the top sales winner in the Ditchburn “Round the world air race”, this trophy has been kindly donated to the Ditchburn Museum by Paul Walker and we will be getting it restored and put on display in the Ditchburn Museum.
The People of Ditchburn of Lytham St Anne’s
Ron Walker
Ditchburn’s Top Salesman