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.
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.
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.
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.
