eckitt Benckiser (formerly & C sioners of the R olman) Pensio i for pen n Fund No. 56, April 2013 IN THIS ISSUE MORLEY STREET HISTORY GETS A WARM WELCOME The blue launch The Blue Makers It was well worth waiting for. That was the verdict of around 120 former Reckitt’s Blue employees gathered for the well-attended launch at Hull History Centre of The Blue Makers, the history of ultramarine blue manufacture in Hull. The many generations of Hull Reckitt’s Blue was a household families who worked at “The Blue” name in Britain throughout the probably never fully realised the first half of the 20th century. It immense world-wide impact of this was used by millions of housewives Photographs of the latest style of iconic product, manufactured for and also by commercial laundries get-together (the well attended well over 100 years by Reckitts, and to improve the whiteness of the now recorded in fascinating detail in weekly wash. launch of the Morley Street history this well illustrated and handsomely From the 1950s the usage of this – right and p2) taken by Alan presented book. Tennison arrived at Contact on this blue pigment in the laundry declined customised CD. Everyone at the February launch but this was more than compensated received a complimentary copy by its rapid growth as an ideal of the book and copies have been colorant for plastics. The product, Ted’s overseas sent to former employees who were known also as ultramarine blue,was unable to attend. manufactured at a large factory in heritage Morley Street, Hull which, after Clive and Frank presenters 120 years of production, closed in Former Recitts Colours managing September 2008. At the time of its director, Clive Fieth, opened the closure, the factory was the largest proceedings and introduced author of its kind in the world. Frank Davies who gave a short The publication and launch was presentation on the book. sponsored by Holliday Pigments, Cheshire-born Frank started the former owners of the Morley his career with Geigy’s Pigments Street factory, who now operate Division while studying for a degree the ultramarine blue business in chemistry and joined Reckitts continued on P2 > Colours Ltd in Hull in 1980 as applications The Bronze Age ships found on the research manager. Humber by Ted Wright, former chairman He subsequently of Reckitt & Colman’s overseas business moved to sales, are linked to similar build ships found travelling widely around the world by the Pyramids (p6). as well as serving overseas. Industrial history is one of his The good interests.

old days The launch was organised by Joanna Digital get-togethers - our members, Houldridge, Holliday and former colleagues, are using social Pigments’ Hull-based marketing manager, networking to keep in touch (p3). pictured right on the “bookstall.” A book as much about people as products

>continued from P1 from a sister factory at Comines in northern France. Former employees from as early as the 1950s attended the launch and the occasion provided an opportunity for reunion for several generations of workers. In addition to the personal re- Young and old and a true family atmosphere for the launch, above. Former unions, memories were recalled by Reckitts Colours managing director Clive Fieth, below left. Author Frank Davies, product displays from the Dansom below right, making his audio visual presentation. Lane Heritage Centre in cabinets Copies of The Blue Makers have us know as we would like as many loaned by the History Centre and been sent to those who were as possible to have the opportunity by the display boards, pictured unable to attend the launch with a to receive a copy.” below, which made a point of covering letter including a report featuring people who are in the Contact Frank Davies on 01482 and photographs of the event and book. 650449 an invitation to comment on the On-line readers can see more book. Email: [email protected] or Joanna Houldridge on 01482 pictures of those attending the The letter adds “If you know of 640208 launch in the Digital Supplement to any former colleague who might Email: Joanna.Houldridge@holliday- the iContact version of this issue at not know about the book, please let www.icontactnewsletter.co.uk pigments.com

Get-togethers in a new light

Page 2 usually reports our regional get-togethers but, with around 150 attending, The Blue Makers launch was the biggest get-together yet – usual reports on p5. Page 2 iCONTACT April 2013 HOW SAFE IS MY PENSION? “This is the question that I am always asked.” says remove the deficit. The term over which they make Kevin O’Berg, the Trustee elected by your Pensioners’ the payments is agreed between the Company and the Association Committee. Trustees. The Pension Fund’s Actuary carries out a detailed If the Company became insolvent and there was valuation every three years,where he compares the a deficit in the Fund then there could be a shortfall assets of the Fund with the liabilities and produces the problem as the Company would not be able to make the estimated deficit or surplus at that particular date. deficit payments. For this reason, the Trustees look at the solvency of the Company on a regular basis. Over the last few years there has always been a deficit, mainly due to investment markets performing Needless to say, the Company is currently financially poorly and people living longer. The Company is strong and therefore your pension is safe. legally obliged to make up any deficit resulting from The next Actuarial Valuation is at 5th April 2013 and the Actuarial Valuation. the results will be available around October 2013. If You may remember that at the last Valuation the you have any queries regarding the Pension Fund, Kevin Company agreed to pay £155m over three years to O’Berg can be contacted at [email protected].

Contact cues up MAKE CONTACT Although most pensioners in the Northern Area snooker table enjoy busy and active lives and do not wish to be visited, there are still a few who would rivalry after a very much wish for a visit. A mail-shot to all 1000+ pensioners over the age of 70 in our area would be wasteful and expensive so we 50 break are using Contact to ask any pensioner who After the Class of 62’s very successful reunion reported in our last would like to be visited to telephone, write or issue (Contact No.55, December 2012), three of the former apprentices e-mail to: who attended have picked up where they left off fifty years ago. Chris Eagleton, 2 Dominican Walk, Beverley, HU17 0HF Tel: 01482 872765 “Back in the sixties Dave Bodecott, reunion organiser Steve Roberts who, [email protected] Mike Sowerby and Steve Roberts as a result of the article in Contact, Philip Mayor, 18 The Croft, Beverley, HU17 (pictured, l to r) were regular users of also met up with his cousin Alf Cook 7HT Tel: 01482 862563 the Men’s Club snooker tables housed who, with his twin brother Bob, spent [email protected] in the Francis Reckitt Institute and, as all of his working life in the Dansom they all live in the Willerby area, have Lane offices. They traded many found two snooker tables in a room stories of their days at Reckitts. Centenarian Edith’s enviable above the Willerby library. (Any former FRI snooker rivals of 60s ‘down under’ holiday plan “We now renew our competitive vintage ready to challenge them at Edith Morton, who celebrated her spirit on a weekly basis!” writes the new venue? - Ed) 100th birthday in January, started work at Reckitts in Dansom Lane at the age of 14 and, since her retirement Barrel ladies Steve Roberts posted the packing line picture we used in the last issue on to in 1973, has enjoyed an enviable behind the a local Facebook site called Hull, the transworld life by spending six plank men Good Old Days, and had an immediate months every other year in Australia. reply from Marlene Adamson telling Edith never married, looking after him the photo was of the girls in her father who lived to be 99. Her Cardboard. Marlene was on the photo brother and family live in Australia and mentioned Marlene Ingleson, but the biennial breaks have ended Beryl Hurdley, Jenny Ayscough, Olga now she is less active and living in a Russell, Wendy Brunton, Jean Oliver, residential home. Rita Jackson and Rose Broadbent. Starting in the Disprin packing If you have any memories to share department, Edith and other workers Steve invites you to contact him were seconded to work at Saltend on his Facebook account – Stephen during the war. She then returned Roberts, or post them on Hull, the to Reckitts, working in various Good Old Days. departments and rising to the post of On the above site we found this picture (left) supervisor by the time she retired. of two Sissons’ ladies pushing a barrel of Edith’s century was marked varnish. We have never published pictures by a bouquet of flowers from the of Sisson’s people because although it was Pensioner’s Association and, of R&C’s oldest company (founded 1803), it was course, a card from the Queen. Poster advertising of Sissons’ distemper turned the plank men into national celebrities. bought (and sold) in the 1950s. Photos in IContact Digital Supplement iCONTACT April 2013 Page 3 Emerging markets give AN END-OF-YEAR RISE IN OUR RB promised growth ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP The new focus on fast-growing emerging markets and a move away There is a small increase in the print run for this issue of Contact due to from the company’s roots as a maker a recent change linked to the Defined Contribution section of the Reckitt of household cleaning goods to higher Benckiser Pension Fund. margin health and hygiene products You may be aware that Defined has seen operating profit rise 2 per Contribution (DC) pension schemes NEW VISITORS cent to £2.4 billion on revenues up one have become more prevalent in the last The appeal for Pensioner Visitors in the per cent to £9.6 billion. ten years or so and Reckitt Benckiser last Contact (No.55, December) had Announcing full year results for (RB) has operated such a scheme for all an encouraging response and two new new employees for some years. 2012, , who took over appointments are expected to complete the as Reckitt’s chief executive from Bart There are now more employees in coverage for the southern area. Becht, said the company now aimed the RB DC scheme than in the Defined Members interested in visiting, to derive half of its net revenue in its Benefit (DB)/final salary scheme core business from emerging markets particularly in the Northwest and North by 2015, a year earlier than it had As from 1st January 2013, members of England, are invited to contact our Vice previously targeted, while its health of the DC scheme will no longer take Chairman Tony Swell, who is our Visitor Co- and hygiene products would account their pension through the RB Fund. ordinator on 0118 969 1390 for 72 per cent of net revenue. Instead, the Company will pay for advice so that they can choose a e-mail: [email protected] As part of the company’s focus on pension from an outside provider and health and hygiene, former Smith & this will give them more flexibility. YES, THERE IS AN INCREASE Nephew executive Adrian Hennah, left, So it was not totally unexpected A rise of 3.1% in your RB pension when there was a small surge, 75, to took on the chief was reported to the committee financial officer role the number of pensioners, and thus from January, shortly our Association, at the end of last year. this month. after the successful Gradual reduction bid for US vitamin Committee elections maker Schiff Nutrition What effect does this change to the Elections for the RB Pensioners’ for $1.4 billion (£894 DC section have on the RB pensioner Association Committee are due this million), gaining access to the vitamin group? It will lead to a gradual autumn. The current nine members and supplement market for the first reduction in the number of pensioners are: David Saltmarsh, chairman; Tony time. within the RB Fund, albeit over many Swell, vice chairman; Trevor Clark, years. This has been followed by a $482 secretary; Allan Chandler, treasurer; million (£307 million) deal with Bristol This is now normal practice in the Brian Bradley; Chris Eagleton; Freddie -Myers Squibb for Latin American pensions industry so there is nothing George; Kevin O’Berg; and Alistair OTC health brands. The three-year to worry about and, of course, the Stewart. collaboration agreement will license Pensions Department will still be Trevor, Chris and Alistair are due six medications: Naldecon, a cough around to help with any queries. for re-election for 2014 and are willing medicine; Luftal, an anti-flatulence to stand again, but nominations can The Reckitt Benckiser Pensioners’ treatment; Dermodex, a nappy rash also be made on a nomination form Association gives members the crucial cream; Tempra, for pain relief; Picot, obtainable from the Association’s democratic voice in the running of the an antacids brand; and Graneodin-B, a secretary or by submitting the name of Fund via the Trustee we elect (currently sore throat remedy. the nominee with his or her signature Kevin O’Berg) to express our views. and the addresses and signatures of five Bristol-Myers Squibb will continue nominating members. to make the brands for a further three Focus on communication Send to: The Secretary, Reckitt years, at which point Reckitt has the As communication and contact is a Benckiser Pensioners’ Association, c/o option to buy them. The initial $482 crucial part of the Association’s role Pensions Department, Reckitt Benckiser million payment includes supply this continues to be a focus of attention. contracts, personnel and the option to plc, Dansom Lane, Hull HU8 7DS, to acquire the legal title to the intellectual The committee meeting just before arrive before the end of July. property. we went to press gave the green light for an August issue of Contact to Heritage Publications NETWORKING WORKS provide the three a year that members China has a very have requested. We mentioned this “Hull’s Heritage” book for digitally engaged population. RB has larger sales children in the Digital Supplement of our last online of Durex in China than anywhere else.The That has been achieved through good iContact. A revised issue is brand now has a 43 per cent share of the Chinese housekeeping in the face of continually now being printed and will rising costs. market, according to Nielsen data, up from 10 be on sale at Hull Central per cent three years ago. Bestsellers in China We will now be seeking members’ Library. More in our next are the Durex Fetherlite Ultima series and the ideas and experiences (especially “Jeans” range — “a trendy blue for cool issue but readers can those who have maintained contact lovemaking”. Durex is also one of top brands on request and reserve a copy with former colleagues) as we continue China’s main social media sites Weibo and Renren, of the new edition by e-mail: to concentrate on this important with more “fans” than Coca-Cola and KFC. [email protected] communications role. Page 4 iCONTACT April 2013 Get-togethers The RBPA committee meeting, your regional gtgs and our deadline date DIARY DATES Eastern Region led off the year’s get-togethers with its usual January 2013 get-togethers: meeting, followed by Hull in March. Norwich attracted 30 for coffee and sausage rolls, with several staying on for lunch at the White Horse HULL at Trowse, and a dozen were at Hull’s usual lunchtime meeting at The 11am at The Goodfellowhip Goodfellowship. Cottingham Road on: This month’s Norwich meeting saw an unusually low attendance of 22 and High Wycombe’s 22 was also down a little; but Derby declared a good start to the year Tuesday, June 11, 2013 with 25 as we went to press on April 17. Tuesday, October 1, 2013 We delayed our deadline for this issue until that date to cover the April 10 Contact Phil Mayor committee meeting deciding on whether to give the go-ahead for an August issue, Tel: 01482 862563 as well as ensuring we had reports on the April get-togethers. NORWICH at 10.30am at the White Horse Trowse on: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 Tuesday, October 8, 2013 Contact Ken Herbert 01379 852854 Get mardling in DERBY every region at 10.30am at The Orangery The 22 at the Norwich meeting was A good start for the year at the Derby get-together, Markeaton Park on: below the agreed discount figure so above, and a satisfying first attendance for Mrs Tuesday, September 17, 2013 organiser Ken Herbert had to fork out Anne Cooney, who worked at the Derby factory. Anne a modest room hire fee. enjoyed meeting her old friends again and is looking LEICESTER Fortnately some stayed for a meal as forward to the next one in September. As ever the at 11.30am at The Oadby Owl usual so a return to normal numbers at raffle was popular, especially with the winners, and the July and October meetings should also pictured this time is John Timmins Derby visitor Glen Road, Leicester on: restore the balance – especially if more seated in the forefront on left [with arms folded]. Tuesday, May 7, 2013 want a bite as well as a good “mardle” Contact Brian Bradley (that’s Norfolkese for a chat). grandchildren. The glorious spring flower table decorations seamlessly Tel: 01526 321575 As the catering trade is feeling the ended up with the ladies present. for Leicester and Derby squeeze everywhere, there’s probably a message here for all our regions – get All agreed it was a great social event. HIGH WYCOMBE mardling. Please keep in touch with Paul (01494 End of October 2013 562843) and join us next time, probably Reggie Goves closing towards the end of October just in time Date, time and venue TBA Pensioners from the former Reckitt for a pre-Christmas catering surprise Contact Paul Gilliam Industrial Division faced two disasters from Carol. Tel: 01494 562843 at their lunch meeting at the Reggie The picture below at Hull’s get- Goves Centre, High Wycombe. together at the Good Fellowship Allison. Below right, at High Wycombe are Meg Lambert with Bert Childs. More First Paul Gilliam our Pension shows (l to r): Phil Shearsmith, Hugh get-together pictures in the iContact Visitor mislaid his camera and for the Christmas (often taking the pictures Digital Supplement. first time ever was unable to take many at these events) Richard Bays and Bob photographs. Second the Reggie Goves Centre – a favourite for many years – is likely to close and a new venue needs to be found. Paul assured everyone events would continue. John Rolls suggested a pub. No comment. All 20 guests were treated to a splendid lunch provided by Carol Gilliam, with service delivered by Katie and Matthew Carr, Paul and Carol’s

iCONTACT April 2013 Page 5 The heritage that truly extends over the seas

A new link between the village of North Ferriby on the River Humber Ted Wright,left above, on the foreshore and Giza, site of the Great Pyramid on the River Nile, is creating where he found the ships’ remains and international awareness of intriguing constructional similarities the pavement outline, above, built by between the 4,000-year-old Bronze Age ships discovered by the late villagers and opened by his late son Ted Wright, former chairman of Reckitt & Colman Overseas, and early Rod Wright. The new BMW, advertised planked ships built to sail the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Indian for its “fluid” lines, was pictured with Ocean and the Pacific. the pavement to emphasise the Bronze A lecture given in February to the ships built by villagers and inspected Age technology. Sea trials have shown Ferriby Heritage Trust, the village the half-scale replica owned by the the Ferriby Heritage Trust’s replica, charity inspired by Ted, marked the Ferriby Heritage Trust and currently part funded by Ted, to have near start of an exchange of knowledge based at the Welton Waters Adventure perfect fluid dynamics. and information and a long term Centre. Below, Afifi Rohim Afifi at Giza. investigation of the remarkably His illustrated talk at Ferriby Village similar methods developed around Hall outlined the current boat project the 20th to 30th centuries BC for the at the Khufu Boat Museum where building of ocean-going ships. an international team is rebuilding Inspector of Antiquities a second stitched plank ship (plus an exact replica for international The lecture by Afifi Rohim Afifi, display) found in a sealed chamber Chief Inspector of Antiquities at the alongside the pyramid. Giza Plateau and Project Supervisor of the Second Kufu Boat Project at The reconstructed first Khufu boat Giza, followed a surprise visit by is pictured in the museum, below left. him in January to find out about the The Egyptians are particularly Bronze Age ships discovered by Ted interested in the Ferriby ships in the mud of the Humber foreshore. because most of the remains of early skilled and venturesome beings as opposed to the commonly portrayed Mr. Afifi visited the Riverside vessels found around the world warlike tribesmen. Walkway site of the discovery with have been fragmentary whereas the its “pavement” outline of the Ferriby Ferriby remains, while not complete, Proving that the Ferriby ships were sufficient to allow a realistic were designed and built has always reproduction. been a problem and the international exchanges will help illustrate the

More than 1,000 pieces technical advances that were made The Cheops boat is complete but (Bronze Age man had learned how to in more than 1,000 separate pieces use heat to bend wood). so there could be useful exchanges The Khufu Boats (with Ferriby on the Ferriby reconstruction reference) can be seen on Facebook experiences. at:https://www.facebook.com/ The greatest interest, however, lies TheMaritimeHistoryOfAncientEgypt in the fact that all these ships were designed as much as evolved. FOOTNOTE We featured Colman’s record-breaking Crossbow in our While archaeological findings of last issue. Ships obviously skeletal remains have traced the attract grocery manufacturers. physical evolution of homo sapiens, The first Khufu Boat in the Giza museum, these ships are among the earliest above, will be joined by the second which evidence of intellectual development, will also have a replica for wider display. suggesting thoughtful, creative,

Page 6 iCONTACT April 2013 By post: Contact, c/o Pensions Department E-mail: [email protected] Reckitt Benckiser plc Dansom Lane, HULL HU8 7DS LETTERS The focus on Morley Street in this issue has underlined yet again the true “family” nature of the Reckitt & Colman businesses. Coincidentally former Colours’ personnel manager Martin Craven was contacted by Mrs Barbara 01482 582987 Evamy of Bridlington seeking more information about the career of her father Walter Wood, whom Martin remembered as Electrical Supervisor at Morley 01482 582883 Street. Their chat revealed Walter’s father, Robert, also worked at Reckitts and resulted in the following little-known story in a letter from Barbara: What to do in the event of a pensioner’s death is a question that often comes directly to us and we have no hesitation in advising, as we When “doing up” a family have before, that one of the first things you do is contact the RB Pensions Department – numbers above. castle was all part of the job Not only do they need to have certain information to take their own actions, they At some point, wrote Barbara, grandfather Robert was sent to “do up” Keldy Castle near Pickering and took his family (including her father) are used to dealing with relatives and older with him, lodging with a farming family called Pearson at Cropton. She people stressed by the event. remembers being taken there once, just after lambing time when she They know from experience many of the was about 12 years of age. things that may be worrying you and can give “Daddy obviously held the Pearson you helpful advice and guidance. family in great affection.” wrote Chris Little, Group Pensions Manager, Barbara. Debra Wardill and Carol Irvin, Senior Pensions Keldy Castle was a gentleman’s Administrators and Teresa Gould, Pensions residence bought by Sir James Reckitt Administrator are always ready to help: in 1903 for his second son Philip at RB Pensions Department, a cost of £25,000. The estate was of 7,000 acres with 50 farms and Reckitt Benckiser smallholdings and over 3,000 acres Dansom Lane of grouse moors. Hull HU8 7DS “Done up” Keldy Castle, above, and the They decided to rebuild the main e-mail: [email protected] property and the work was completed Reckitt refurbishers of 100 years ago, just before the start of the 1914-1918 below. holding 6 candles to St Gregory’s war. The architect was Mr. J Bilson of very strange. There is now a large church in Cropton. The two large Hessle and the builder was Mr. Anelay development of log cabins where the ones are installed above the altar. of York. house used to be. Sir Philip’s only son James Reckitt, Luftwaffe bombs missed The only remaining parts of the who died at the age of 16, was buried house are some columns and part of in the churchyard. Barbara found his During the Second Word War Keldy a crenellated wall. grave and would have liked to tidy it became an army training camp. There up as there was moss overgrowing Apparently the Reckitt family was an attempt by the Luftwaffe to the pedestal. James’ mother was donated two brass candelabra bomb the camp but they missed their buried nearby in the same graveyard. target and the bombs exploded on holding 12 candles each and a third the Roman camps nearby. Following Sir Philip Reckitt’s death in 1944 the property passed into the hands of his daughter, Mrs Barbara Pollock, who sold it to the Forestry Commission in 1948. They had plans to turn it into a Forestry College but that never bappened and in 1956 some of the buildings were demolished. Grandad Bob would often speak of his time working there as it must have been the highlight of his career! The photo shows the team of men sent from Reckitts to rewire and replumb the place. Keldy is in a really remote area of forestry land, down a long single track lane. Over 100 years ago the workmen from Sculcoates in Hull would have found the experience of working in the silence there iCONTACT April 2013 Page 7 OBITUARIES HOW ABOUT AN Untimely death of Liz (55) ends a 1893 PENSION? Our report (p4) on the last entrants to the Reckitt Benckiser typical workplace partnership Pension Fund inspired us to take The family business nature of the Reckitt and Colman companies meant a brief look at our Fund’s century- many couples met at work, married and became company pensioners old origins. together, so friends and former colleagues will be saddened to hear of With Welfare now top of the the untimely death of Liz Wilcock (previously Liz Ritchie) who died of Government’s agenda it seems cancer at the end of January. She was 55. appropriate that we can open with Liz started her career at Reckitt & their visits to the UK. During this time this extract from the 96-page Reckitt Colman in the early 1980s, working she studied for a BA and later a DMS. & Sons Welfare Book which we were initially in Operations at Stoneferry. With these qualifications she was able to reproduce digitally in iContact She met her future husband Jeremy able to move into Marketing, working two years ago (No.51, June 2011) in Wilcock after moving to in product management a response to the Big Society debate IDD. They married in in categories such as then raging: 1990 and in due course air fresheners, window adopted three children cleaners and furniture “The Company started a Non- from Guatemala, Annie polish. Contributory Pension Fund in 1890 wherein Employees on attaining (Annaliese, now 12 and Her last job in Reckitt the age of 60 years were granted a pictured on Liz’s right), & Colman was with pension equal to half their wages. Madi (Madeleine, now the Shoe Care Division This Fund was continued until the 10, on Liz’s left) and Ben where she held a end of 1910, when owing to the large (now 5). senior marketing role. increase in the number of employees Her time in IDD brought After leaving Reckitt & it was considered necessary that Liz into contact with Colman, she worked for the Scheme should be amended. senior managers from all a hosiery company, a The principal change was the over the Reckitt world, travel business and then advancement of the retiring age from whether in correspondence or during her own travel consultancy. 60 to 65 years, with the exception of We regret to record the deaths of Colours, Backbarrow – Thomas the Male employees who were in the the following Reckitt Benckiser Wilson (87), 3. service of the Company prior to 1898. pensioners HQ, Hull – Dorothy Croft (90), 5. Contributory Scheme 1918 Household, Stockport – Thomas NORTHERN REGION Rigby (87), 7. “In 1918, the Directors recognized (Hull, unless otherwise stated) that owing to the alteration in Industrial Div, Bolton – Geoffrey the economy, the provision made Dorothy Borthwick, aged 78, 13 Walker (66), 8. years’ service; Ellen Ogier (91), hitherto was inadequate, and as a new 9; Gladys Knight (92), 9; Doreen EASTERN REGION Scheme was desirable, an Actuary Roberts (73),13; Nina Purchon (Norwich, unless otherwise stated) was consulted. (78), 8; Charlotte Coleman Betty Smith (84), 11; Brenda Powles “After serious consideration, the (91),33; Gladys Brown (86),17; (88), 34; Ian Fraser (85), 10; Frank present Contributory Fund for Male Margaret Tunley (80), 14; Dorothy King (89), 26; Peter Corbyn (85), Employees in the United Kingdom Maltby (89), 23; Alan Ward (72), 32; John Dolman (83), 13; Arthur was evolved and put into operation.” 4; Edwin Martin (87), 25; Brian Long (65), 27; Brian Richardson At September 30, 1924 membership Horsfall (71), 21; Frederick Graby (83), 29; William Deeley (83), 27; was 2,103 and Funds were £423,164 (89), 25; George Mawer (97), 42; Maurice Woods (81), 46. David Hannah (83), 30; Gordon 19s 6d. Sanderson (82), 31. It is with special sadness we record the death on April 13 of Florence McLaren of Norwich, our oldest In its April 1923 edition the Carrow Derby – Frances Janiec (83),13; pensioner, whose 108th birthday we reported on in Magazine reported a Works Council Peter Rice (57), 10; Derek Young our last issue. meeting called to consider revisions (77), 23; Frederick Warrick (88), 12. to the Colmans Pension Scheme Shoecare – Elizabeth Wilcock (55), SOUTHERN REGION introduced in 1899. 12; John Major (66), 15. (Chiswick, unless otherwise stated) Figures were presented showing the Services Division, computers – Dorothy Scarbrow (92), 29; liability the company had accepted in Enid Prince (91), 11. Dorothy Jackson (92), 18; John Sowerby (79) 35. respect of the 300 pensioners who Peterborough Depot – Richard had died in the ensuing 23 years, the Fine Arts and Graphics, Wealdstone Pearson (80), 14. current 200 pensioners and 1,070 – Paul Trigg (63), 2. Poynton Depot – James Kirkham members of varying ages who would (84), 18. Page of – Frances Graham ultimately become entitled to the Batley – Zilla Ainley (97), 7. (72), 13; Roy Ashby (86), 31. Company’s pension. Colours, Morley Street – Sheila High Wycombe – Lorna Pollard The Company’s pension would be Holgreaves (77), 14; Peter (96), 10; Annie Hardman (93), 19; increased from 8s to 10s a week and Osborne (86), 48; James Gilroy John Wigley (92), 11. an increase in Members’ contributions (86), 38; Kenneth Farnill (90), 25; Reckitt Cleaning Services – Ethel from 2d to 4d per week would result Frank Hopwood (95), 22. Holt (84), 11. in another 4s on top of that.

Page 8 iCONTACT April 2013 Produced for the Reckitt Benckiser Pensioners’ Association by John M. Davis, Beverley. Tel: 01482 888367 e-mail: [email protected] iCONTACT DIGITAL SUPPLEMENT With e-books advancing fast and publishing costs soaring there had been growing concern about the eventual appearance of the Morley Street history, even in paperback format. In the event both The Blue Makers book and its launch were an undoubted success. Author Frank Davies and Holliday Pigments are to be congratulated on a first class product. The quality of paper, cover and reproduction by Wyke Printers of Hull makes it a near equal of a conventional hardback while the range and depth of the content puts it well ahead of most company histories. Definitely something to be treasured by those who qualified for a copy at this memorable event in a most appropriate venue.

Familiar faces at the launch included Peter Adamson, top left; Dr. Mike Garry Selvage, above, with Joanna Houldridge Garrett, Alan Hitchcock and David Cowie, top right; Karen Houghton, Chris and Clive Fieth; Malcolm Booth and Dave Tripp, Susie Fish and Alison Bisby, above. Calvert, below.

Steve Moody, Gary Walters, Mike Bayston, Alan Tennison and Martin Craven, left.

iCONTACT April 2013 Page 9 A full set of photographs placed on the relaunched iContact The Blue Makers launch site will remain for a short period after this edition has gone live before being removed.

BYOD to your regional GTGs

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is currently one of the big issues in corporate IT as companies get to grips with the security and potential misuse of their systems and networks while allowing employees to use their own increasingly widespread digital communications, notably smartphones. The phenomenal rise in smartphone becoming a Pensioners’ Association sales, with millions being bought by member but, as she has a key role in older people, makes a case for BYOD running the Fund, we will be doing at our get-togethers, especially all we can to encourage her as the taking of photographs to join when she qualifies to who was at the High Wycombe lunch. and their circulation is so become one. Apart from personal memories quick and easy. There’s a lot of knowlege there’s also the topicality of a It is those not at the get- and experience there we continuing converstion piece such as together we have to think of. would like to have on board. Strictly Come Dancing. Memories and news of former As another example you Finally, without quoting particular colleagues are the essence of can share the pleasure instances, there’s always Backup On these meetings and BYOD is this month of Toni Citroni, Your Own Device, should cameas not the ideal medium to pass them pictured left, who has reason work or be forgotten. on to friends and family – and, to smile – he won the raffle at of course, Contact. the High Wycombe lunch! You can, for instance, Centenarian Edith There are always the capture the attendance of a memorabilia that members special guest, as we are able take to meetings – such as the to this month with Senior dance ticket above cherished Pensions Administrator Carol by Bert Childs, a true dancing Irvin, right, at the Hull get- professional pictured on p3, together. Carol is some way off

The future of the so ensuring that the Carrow House war The Carrow memorial will have memorials is still a near permanent uncertain as meetings memorials home and are are sought with accessible subject to Norwich City Council Unilever permission. Edith Morton, whose 100th birthday to consider possible sites, ideally with good As a City Guide I have done tours around is reported on P3, pictured (left) in public access, this month’s Eastern Region the ‘Abbey’, it would be a perfect site for the retirement and above as former get-together was told. memorial. colleagues will remember her. Rod Spokes, who was at Carrow from “Failing that Jeremiah James worshipped When she worked nights at Saltend 1969 to 1984 and is now a city guide has at both St Mary’s Baptist Church (now during the war the only way to get home was by bicycle, a distance of writtten a letter with suggestions that are Central Baptist) Duke St and what was a about five miles, and that was in the being considered. Congregational Church now URC in Princes blackout! St opposite St Peter Hungate. Rod writes: “Have you asked Unilever if Always a great traveller she was it could be housed in Carrow ‘Abbey’ either “As a final shot Jeremiah James did help in France on the day World War II the prioresses house or the 1899 extension? the Cathedral financially during his lifetime. started. Naturally her parents were These buildings have a powerful and The building contains several war memorials worried that they may never see their enduring Colman association, are listed and and honours Samuel Bignold of the Norwich daughter again, but she managed to in an open space that will not be developed Union – a contemporary of JJC.” get home OK. Page 10 iCONTACT April 2013 Produced for the Reckitt Benckiser Pensioners’ Association by John M. Davis, Beverley. Tel: 01482 888367 e-mail: [email protected]