George Nott Industries
1957 Monument Securities announced its intention to change its name to George Nott Industries. A controlling interest in Townsend Ferries and Shipping had recently been acquired. Negotiations with British Railways had been protracted which was delaying announcement of plans. A new subsidiary had been formed, European Ferries, to operate a ferry service between Dover and Calais for loaded lorries and trailers.[1]. Also had an electrical division than included Lee Beesley. 'George Nott was chairman of Lee Beesley, when George Nott Industries was formed. The company had three directors, local stockbroker Willie Stevenson, Roland Wickenden and George Nott himself'[2]
1959 George Nott Industries acquired Townsend Brothers Ferries, a subsidiary of Townsend Ferries and Shipping at several times its book value.[3]
1961 George Nott Industries proposed amalgamation with Townsend Ferries and Shipping[4]
1962 Acquired S.M.F. Holdings Ltd; Mr G. S. Nott was chairman of both companies[5]
By 1968 was the parent company of Townsend Car Ferries[6]
1968 Purchased the Otto Thoresen Shipping Co and its subsidiary Thoresen Car Ferries. Then changed their name to European Ferries
1972 'Mr. Keith David Wickenden, aged 39, has been appointed chairman of European Ferries Ltd. the holding company of the Townsend Thoresen and Atlantic Steam Navigation cross-Channel ferry group. Mr. Wickenden, who takes up his appointment on December 1, is the brother of the late Mr. Roland Wickenden, a former chartered accountant in Coventry, who became head of Townsend Ferries and later chairman of European Ferries. Mr. Roland Wickenden, aged 46, died two weeks ago in Holland while returning from the launching of the £5 million Free Enterprise ferry FE VII - the newest craft to Join the Townsend Thoresen fleet. Mr. Kenneth Biddle, who was appointed acting managing director of the company after Mr. Roland Wickenden's death, has today been appointed managing director.'[7]