The History of ATLAS
Builders erecting a rivetted chimney
It was 1945: the end of the Second World War and the country was facing a massive rebuilding and repair programme. There was rationing of food, fuel and lack of materials. New Government ministries and building regulations were coming into being and all sorts of bureaucratic restrictions were being placed on the industry. It is from this background that seventeen companies came together to form the National Federation of Master Steeplejacks & Lightning Conductor Engineers.
The first meeting was held on the 3rd January 1946 with the objectives of helping members fight unfair practices, assisting with technical problems, and coping with the new post war age and its multiple building laws and controls.
In the early years negotiations were held with various Ministries to secure extra food, petrol and clothing rationing coupons for industry workers, and with the authorities with regard to The Safety & Welfare Regulations to ensure that traditional steeplejack methods were preserved by obtaining an exemption for steeplejack scaffolding methods.
Church spire inspection
Negotiations were entered into with the Construction Union and a National Joint Council formed to negotiate and agree terms and conditions for all operatives in the industry. To this day the NJC continues to set the terms and conditions for the industry.
In 1952 the Federation entered into discussions with the Chief Inspector of Factories with regard to the Bosun’s Chair; there was some comment that the chair was illegal under the Regulations. After five years of meetings we successfully kept our Bosun’s Seat.
The Federation gained representation on many British Standard Institute Technical Committees; Lightning Protection, Earthing, Ladders, Scaffolding & Access, Fall arrest, Personnel Protection, Bosun Seats & Cradles etc.
The painting of the Battersea Power Station
chimneys in the 1950's.
With regard to Training, the Federation had influence and dialogue with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The Federation, with help from the CITB, set up an Industry Training Group, and training plans for the formal training of Steeplejacks & Lightning Conductor Engineers and the first industry Apprentice training courses were put in place.
Whilst the Federation and its Members had achieved so much over the years it was agreed the title of the organisation was dated and the term steeplejack no longer described the extent of the technical ability and broad scope of work members carried out. In 2003 the organisation changed its name to the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS).
The hard work of all the Members and Officials, both past and present, has made ATLAS what it is today; representing all sides of Industry linking its glorious past to an exciting future.
Past Presidents of ATLAS / N.F.S and L.C.E
| 2008 to present | Graeme Fisher | Consultant |
| 2005 - 2008 | Robert Bird | Delta Steeplejacks |
| 2003 - 2005 | Roger Coonie | Church Conservation |
| 2001 - 2003 | Colin Watt | Pendrick Steeplejacks |
| 1999 - 2001 | Robert Bird | Delta Steeplejacks |
| 1997 - 1999 | June Turney | Central High Rise |
| 1995 - 1997 | Dennis Shead | Bierrum |
| 1993 - 1995 | Colin Bateman | JW Gray |
| 1990 - 1993 | Michael Beaumont | FE Beaumont |
| 1988 - 1990 | Herbert Bird | Delta Steeplejacks |
| 1986 - 1988 | Graeme Fisher | AW Elliott |
| 1984 - 1986 | Mike Fuller | WJ Furse |
| 1982 - 1984 | Alan Bacon | WM & RW Bacon |
| 1980 - 1982 | Jim Stapley | Steeplejack Associates |
| 1978 - 1980 | Brian Edwick | FE Beaumont |
| 1976 - 1978 | Buster Harrison | Harrison Borthers Darlington |
| 1974 - 1976 | Jim Broadey | J. Smith Southern |
| 1971 - 1974 | Ted Fuller | WJ Furse |
| 1971 - 1972 | Walter Bacon / Sidney Larkins BEM | WM & RW Bacon |
| 1969 - 1971 | John Richardson | PC Richardson |
| 1967 - 1969 | Max Beaumont | FE Beaumont |
| 1965 – 1967 | Jim Townsend | Townsend Steeplejacks |
| 1963 – 1965 | Jim Broadey | Smiths Southern |
| 1961 – 1963 | John Davis | LH Gibb |
| 1959 – 1961 | William Servis | Mackney & Servis |
| 1956 – 1959 | Albert Edward Diamond Beaumont | FE Beaumont |
| 1955 – 1956 | John Davis | LH Gibb |
| 1954 – 1955 | Walter Bacon | WM & RW Bacon |
| 1953 – 1954 | Sidney Larkin BEM | W. Larkins Steeplejacks |
| 1952 – 1953 | Robert Price OBE | RC Cuttings |
| 1950 – 1952 | Albert Edward Diamond Beaumont | FE Beaumont |
| 1948 – 1950 | Donald Campbell JP | JW Gray & Son |
