Giant telescopes use mirrors to collect and focus the light. These mirrors have to be flawless and perfectly aligned for them to work. Grubb Parsons was one of only a few companies in the world with the skill to make the huge mirrors needed for the giant telescopes of the time.

The Isaac Newton Telescope was built by Grubb Parsons and has a 2.5 metre mirror. It started life in England in Herstmonceux in 1965, but was later moved to the Canary Islands because of the better weather. It also received a new mirror.

The Anglo-Australian telescope’s 3.9 metre mirror was ground and polished by Grubb Parsons. It has made many amazing discoveries, including finding streams of stars left over from smaller galaxies that fell into our Milky Way!

The William Herschel Telescope is located in the Canary Islands. It uses a mirror that is 4.2 metres across. At one point it was the third largest optical telescope in the world. It was the last telescope constructed by Grubb Parsons.

Grubb Parsons had a diverse team. They needed optical engineers, metal workers, joiners, crane operators, and secretaries.

Maureen Sheehan worked for the company from 1962 to 1975. She started as a lab technician and worked her way up to the position of Chief Inspector of Optics. Her job was to make sure every lens and mirror that left the factory was made to the highest standards.

Grubb Parsons and their parent company, CA Parsons, were famous for looking after their employees. Maureen remembers how colleagues fostered a vibrant community spirit. They organised sports competitions, dinner dances, and festive parties. The company also organised clubs like gardening and darts for its workforce.