IN clarification of my letter published in last week’s edition.

Mr Cheadle found employment with Brunner Mond in 1888. For a number of years afterwards, working conditions were almost as bad as they could be.

The average wage for an adult male worker was about 18 to 20 shillings (£1) for a working week of 50 hours.

It was not unusual for the men to have to work (at weekends), 24 hours at one stretch – no extra pay for overtime.

Men had usually to submit to these conditions or leave the district for there were few alternative jobs available.

On the backs of men such as these was built the largest company member of the former Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd. A company which brought much prosperity and enlightenment to Northwich and other local areas and towns.

Denis Cain Northwich