A Harrow glass-worker, who spent 27 years crafting some of the country's finest ornaments at the old Whitefriars factory in Wealdstone, almost walked out on his first day.

Ray Annenberg, who recently moved to Northwood, was a fresh-faced 16-year-old when he turned up at the famous factory in Tudor Road in 1953.

Ray, now 68, said: "I grew up in Victoria Terrace in Harrow-on-the-Hill and wanted to work locally, so it was either Kodak or Whitefriars.

"The heat from the furnaces and the noise they created was incredible. It was like stepping back in time. For a youngster who had only been at work for a year it was quite daunting."

Little did he know, but Ray would go on to become one of the longest-serving glass-makers in the history of the prestigious company.

During a fascinating career, he would meet celebrities, royalty and appear in a feature film starring Alec Guinness.

But aside from the glamour, Ray is most proud of his ornate creations.

"In the 1970s, a national newspaper compared Whitefriars' paperweights to other companies' and said they were basic and boring," he said. "So I thought I'd have a go at making a paperweight of my own: the P25 in soda glass.

"The silhouettes that went into the paperweights had been made in one colour. The mosaic technique, which was my idea, made them multi-coloured. All the other paperweights were designed by the famous Geoffrey Baxter and his assistant Stuart Miller.

"After seeing the later Whitefriars' paperweights the press gave them great acclaim."

After learning his trade, Ray rose through the ranks to become a "hand made gaffer" one of the top roles in a glass factory.

The gaffer is responsible for production and making and approving the final shape of the ornament.

"I wasn't a natural glass-maker," said Ray. "I had to work very hard at it. But I loved the job. I don't know anybody who worked at the old Whitefriars factory who doesn't wish it was still around."

In Ray's time, Whitefriars built up an enviable name in the arts and crafts world. Prince Charles and Prince Phillip came to the site while celebrities like Take Your Pick host Michael Miles and actor Alec Guinness also visited.

"Alec Guinness filmed The Scapegoat at the factory," said Ray. "I was blowing tumblers into a mould and appeared in the film.

"They were there for about three hours but I was only in the film for a split second."

Whitefriars' glass dates back to 1680. The diarist Samuel Pepys once wrote of a visit to a Whitefriars' factory in the 17th century.

The Powell family moved the company to Wealdstone in 1923 with expansion in mind.

But by 1980, during the firm's 300th anniversary year, Whitefriars halted production and folded.

Ray, who was factory union secretary at the time, remembers it vividly.

"I was called in and told that the furnaces would be closing the next day," said Ray. "It all happened very quickly but it wasn't a surprise. We could see which way the wind was blowing."

Ray worked at a small factory in Cambridge, owned by Dillon Clark and Christopher Irons, brother of film star Jeremy, but left after a year.

"I was concerned about a pension so I took a job as a porter at Northwick Park hospital," he said. "I worked there for 20 years until I retired."

Ray and his wife Hazel spend a lot of time with their sons Mark, 44, and Paul, 41, and their four grandchildren, who live nearby.

Ray also attends some talks, auctions and exhibitions. He intends to visit the Great Whitefriars Exhibition at the Country Seat in Henley-on-Thames to mark the 25th year since Whitefriars' demise.

"There is a Whitefriars' day for ex-employees," said Ray. "I'm looking forward to seeing the exhibits and possibly some old friends."

The exhibition runs from 10am to 6pm every day until Saturday, December 10, 2005. For more information, call 01491 641 349 or see www.thecountryseat.com.