Jan 30 2009
boarded Manhattan’s
In Stockton-on-Tees where the first ever passenger hauling steam train ran to Darlington there are many beautiful Georgian buildings. This one is showing signs of the growing depression. Closed and boarded. I felt distinctly wealthy in the warm comfort of a Taxi. When asked who were the main employers in the region the Taxi driver talked about companies that had been, not are, major employees. According to the Taxi driver the ICI Wilton works laid off over 35,000 people when ICI moved out. Wilton works still exists and according to the GazetteLive, now:
THE process industry is the beating heart of Tees Valley’s business community… …And from car bumpers and plastic baths, fabric softener and soap – all can be produced thanks to the people, plants and products of Tees Valley’s process industry. A key ingredient to the sector’s success is the Wilton chemical complex near Redcar
Unfortunately I didn’t get to visit either Wilton or the Stockton-on-Tees train station. ho-hum, next time…
write the first musing on boarded Manhattan’s
