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Pre-war ICI Plastics had 3 manufacturing sites: Factory Lane, Croydon; Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City (former site of Mouldrite who had taken over from Kelacoma - both makers of UF moulding powders) and ICI South Site, Billingham on Tees. The Company chose a new site in Black Fan Rd, WGC on which to consolidate and began the change in 1938; but at the outbreak of war only the Broadwater Road factory and the WF powders section from Croydon had moved there, plans had to be shelved, and the site became the headquarters of the very greatly enlarged company, then known as ICI Plastics Division. At its peak in the late 1960s, the WGC site covered 60 acres and employed 4000 people. In the 70's the Division began to shrink, in the early 80s most of the Welwyn facilities were transferred to the North of England and the site scheduled for redevelopment. When aerial photos of the transition were taken in July 1991, the two new ICI buildings in the North West portion of the site had been completed, ready for occupation by ICl Pensions, ICI Films and various Service Departments who all intended to remain in Welwyn Garden City. After this the rest of the original ICI buildings were demolished with the exception of the Recreation Club (which became Shire Park Club). The latter was originally the rehearsal room of Sir Henry Wood and was acquired by ICI during the war, initially as a Finished Products Store, but with the ultimate intention of its being their Recreation Club. By 1998 ICI left the site completely: the Pensions Department moved to an office in the town centre; ICI Films was sold partly to a Belgian company and partly to Du Pont; the Company's two new buildings became the property of Tesco; and the land was renamed Shire Park. After 50 years occupation the only bits of evidence of the Company ever having been there were the old recreation club and the ICI perimeter fence. Thanks to Eric B who provided the above information.

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ICI Distribution Department - Darts Club c1970. Image donated to the WGC Heritage Trust archive by EJS.
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ICI Distribution Department - Darts Club c1970. Image donated to the WGC Heritage Trust archive by EJS.
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ICI PABX (private automatic branch exchange) telephone operators - image from WGC Library Local Studies Collection.
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Curta calculator & canister - this one was bought at auction by Tony F when ICI sold off equipment no longer used by the company as computers were installed. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Tony (who worked in the sales accounting department at ICI using various pre-computer calculators) as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project..
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ICI - an aerial photograph of the Bessemer Road site (now Shire Park) dated c1980. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Alan G as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI letter concerning apprenticeships dated 15th January 1954. It lists the apprenticeship trades of Fitter, Turner and Electrician for a period of 5 years from age 16 to 21 with compulsory attendance at Day Continuation Schools during that period. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Les as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project the letter also gives the rates of pay: at 15yrs 1 shilling four and three eighths of a penny per hour, i.e. ú3 for a 44 hour week - rising to 2 shillings 4 and seven eighths of a penny per hour at 20yrs, i.e. ú5 five shillings and ten pence.

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ICI letter offering apprenticeship dated 22nd April 1954 with pay rate stated as commencing at 1 shilling five & three quarters of a penny per hour for a 44 hour week. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Les B as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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Photocopy of Indentures of Apprenticeship between ICI and Les dated 26th May 1955 - with certification dated 29th April 1960 that the term of apprenticeship has satisfactorily been completed. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Les as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI colour testing laboratory - undated photograph from WGC Library Local Studies Collection
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ICI - Directorate and Sales Office. Colour slide taken on 6th May 1988 by Alan G who donated this image to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked? project.
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ICI - dramatics 1963 'As Long As They're Happy'. From left to right: Shirley Austin, Doug Kelly, Bert Thompson and Frank Ilston. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust by Shirley as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI - Drama Club - 'Blythe Spirit' programme dated 17th-24th March 1962. Note in bottom right corner is reminder that Shirley first painted scenery for this play. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust by Shirley A as part of the 'Where Do you Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI - drama club Silver Jubilee Reunion. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Shirley A as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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The ICI Drama Club put on a production of The Teahouse of August Moon at the Barn Theatre. The picture is undated and was kindly donated to the Trust by Maurice F as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI letter responding to A.Sawyer (residing in Highworth, Wiltshire) who had written asking about working for the company - letter dated 14th September 1945. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by John S as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI - facing North - in the middle ground are two original wartime huts. Image from the WGC Library Local Studies Collection.
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ICI letter offering A.Sawyer (residing in Highworth, Wiltshire) a job interview on 15th October 1945 and giving details of train time - letter dated 10th October 1945. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by John S as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI letter to A.Sawyer (residing in Highworth, Wiltshire) re cheque repayment of travel expenses of ú1.6.3 incurred during WGC visit for job interview - letter dated 22nd October 1945. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by John S as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.

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ICI letter to A.Sawyer (residing 8 High Oaks Road) re job offer acceptance and notification of the Ministry of Labour in Ravensfield Road - letter dated 7th November 1945. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by John S as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI Plastics Division WGC - packing Kallodent powder for denture making. Pictured are Mary, Aggie, Doreen & Ena with Mrs C in the office (when she left it became Doreen's office). Doreen K donated this image to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project. ICI negative no. 49/2374.
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ICI - article noting that four of the five secretaries working at that time in the technical service co-ordination bureau were left handed. Newspaper clipping donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Hilary as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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17th August 1972 - ICI long service presentation for Shirley, who had then worked for the company for 20 years. She kindly donated this image to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI - 20,30,35 & 40 years service certificates awarded to Shirley A who donated digital copies to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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Shirley H collecting the netball cup at an ICI tournament. Image donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Shirley as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI - 1969 new arrivals to the ICI Secretarial Training School. Image donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Hilary Davison (pictured first right in the front row) as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI pensioners event - Leslie J (pictured on far left) donated this image to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do you Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI Plastics Recreation Club - Golf Section cup presented to Betty (daughter of Chas Fox - architect) in 1940. Image donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Betty T as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI Plastics Division, WGC. Pre-wedding 'do' for Eric T (2nd from left) who was about to get married to Betty (she worked for the company as a photographer). Eric would work for the company for 40 years in total - having started there in 1944 - in various technical and commercial posts. Image donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Betty as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.

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ICI Plastics Division in WGC - research block. Image donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Betty T, who worked as a photographer for the company, as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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An undated photograph of the Research Block 3 of ICI Plastics Division under construction. Donated to the WGC Heritage Trust archive by Maurice F as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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Framed handwritten original record of ICI's first Polythene sales starting on 12th November 1937 with Du Ponts which purchased a sample costing 15 shillings and ending with total sales for 1938 recorded as 292 pounds 12 shillings and sixpence! Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI restaurant - undated photograph from the WGC Library Local Studies Collection.
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Fifteen new arrivals at ICI's Shorthand and Typing School at Black Fan Road. Back row (left to right) J Stephens, J Capstick, B Mobsby, J Currell, J Debney, P Goodrich, M Webb, E Nash. Front row (left to right) P Harper, J Fraser, B Clarke, J Newman, M Lelliot, S Carne, Y Ford. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Shirley H as part of the 'Where do You Think We Worked?' project.
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Walther mechanical calculator WSR160 - used at ICI. Walther model WSR-160 S/N 217147 - used at ICI. It was bought at auction in the mid 1950s by Tony F when ICI sold off equipment no longer used by the company as computers were installed. Digital donation to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by Tony (who worked in the sales accounting department at ICI using various pre-computer calculators) as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI tie (and packaging) produced to commemorate 25th anniversary of manufacture of 'Melinex' in 1983 - donated to WGC Heritage Trust by Pauline whose husband Bill worked for the company.
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ICI tie (close-up showing weave) produced to commemorate 25th anniversary of manufacture of 'Melinex' in 1983 - donated to WGC Heritage Trust by Pauline whose husband Bill worked for the company.
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ICI headed envelope - stating if undelivered it should be returned to the Personnel Manager, Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd, Plastics Division, Bessemer Road, WGC, Herts. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by John S as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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Welwyn Times dated 27th September 1946 - advertisement for ICI - page 7. Newspaper donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust by BJW.
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ICI identification card for A.Sawyer valid until 31st December 1945. Donated to the Welwyn Garden City Heritage Trust archive by John S as part of the 'Where Do You Think We Worked?' project.
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ICI Plastics Division - technical services and J block. Undated photograph from the WGC Library Local Studies Collection.
 
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