Runcorn Memories: ICI works' halcyon days

By Runcorn And Widnes Weekly News on Jun 18, 09 01:08 PM in 1800-1899

BURGEONING industry and thriving docklands ensured Weston Point grew into one of the busiest centres of its kind in the whole of the North West.

Its docks no doubt played an important role.

But of course, it was the spectacular and dynamic growth of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) and its giant Castner Kellner Works which put Weston Point well and truly on the map.

ICI now seems long gone, and, while many still find that almost unbelievable, it will always be seen as the company which became part of everyday life for thousands of families.

Widnes was still very much a part of Lancashire when many of its townspeople crossed the river.

They would use either the transporter bridge or travel by bike over the railway bridge footpath to 'clock on' at the works or settle into their office jobs.

Many of the latter were based in the old ICI Bankes Lane offices.

They remained there until the company opened its then new emporium at the Heath.
It has now become a business park.

Workers and executives came from far and wide.

Most of us thought there would be no end to the boom years which the chemical complex created.

The recreation clubs at Weston Point and Liverpool Road, Widnes, became part of community life and simply added to that prosperity. Cricket, football, tennis, snooker and even a rifle range were all part of this scenario.

In those days, you could leave school on a Friday at the age of 14 or 15 and walk into a job at Castners the following Monday.

For a great many it became a job for life.

Weston Point may no longer be such a bustling place, but it is still hard to imagine that it was once regarded as no more than a hamlet.

This point was emphasised in the fascinating Post Office Directory of Cheshire from 1857, a copy of which was kindly provided for me by David Toft, of Moughland Lane, Runcorn, which I mentioned here last week.

But even in those days the directory described Weston Point not only as a hamlet but also as 'an extensive village'.

The directory informed its readers: "Christ Church is a neat, red sandstone building in the Gothic style of architecture, with a square tower containing one bell and a clock and surmounted by a handsome spire.

"It has a nave, three isles, transept and font.

"The living is a perpetual curacy in the gift of the Bishop of Chester
.
"There is a school for boys and girls, also a Sunday school held at a schoolroom adjoining.

"Weston Point", it noted, "is now an extensive harbour.

"Spacious wet docks have been built by the Weaver Navigation Company and two lighthouses have been erected for the safety of vessels entering the Weaver or the Mersey.

"The place is well lighted with gas from Runcorn. The Weaver Navigation Company are the chief landowners.

Of Weston village, its near neighbour, the directory said: "It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Mersey and Weaver.

"There is a school for boys and girls, also a Sunday school held at the chapel.

"There are also some of the largest freestone quarries in the county worked here and the stone is conveyed by train-way (tram road) to the respective rivers and canals.

"Adjoining on the banks of the Weaver are large chemical works carried on by Messrs Johnson. The population in 1851, including Weston Point, was 713. The soil is rocky, the subsoil rock and freestone. Shipbuilder Philip Whiteway of Grove House, Runcorn, and Miss Orred are chief landowners."

The picture shows Weston Point at the turn of the last century.

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