The Billingham ICI Division Offices ( Billingham House )
Description
Colour photographs of the Billingham Division Offices ( Billingham House ) in 2004. Tornado Centrifugal fan plate inside building.
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Posted comments/stories
Peter Moon
This caption surely refers to T838 The building shown here was ICI's Agricultural Division Offices. The old Billingham Division of ICI split into Heavy Organic Chemicaks Division and Agricultural Division in the 1960's. The camouflaged building adjoining the Billingham Works became Organic House, and was too small to hold the HQ staffs of both Divisioons, so Agricultural Division built the new office block which is shown in a night view in T812
Posted on: 27/04/2004 20:10:12
Claire Bellerby
I had the pleasure to work in this building, which was known as ADO (Agricultural Division Offices) and then as Billingham House, from 1982 to it's close in 1992. Fond memories as a 'messenger', and remembering the director's top, 7th floor, as the only floor with carpeted corridors! Being in the postroom at the rear of the building, we looked out onto the car park, which we christened the 'toast rack'! The offices had a branch of Thomas Cook in the foyer, a cashiers office (complete with iron bars!), there were art exhibitions held in the foyer and 'Ian' the local newsagent would be in the foyer selling newspapers every morning. I also remember the 'paternosters' moving, open lifts - not sure if they would meet HSE guidelines now! Working for ICI Fertilizers, we were the last business to move from Billingham House, and it was certainly a little 'creepy' working in such a large building on our own.
Posted on: 20/07/2004 13:07:07
Andrew
I went along to an ICI open day here, it was great fun. It must have been in the early 90's or very late 80's. There was a tour of Visqueen at Stockton also, home to the largest bubble - they make plastic bags.
Posted on: 26/05/2005 10:05:24
Steve
Such a shame to see the state of the building now compared to what it was like then.
Posted on: 09/08/2004 16:29:22
Ged Hutchinson
I remember my first visit to these offices in 1961 with some embarrassment. I was summoned to be interviewed in these offices prior to being admitted into the Drawing Office. Already nervous I was confronted for the first time by the Paternoster Lifts. Although I entered the moving lift cubicle without too much difficulty I was found lacking in expertise and timed my exit too late ending up in a heap on the floor after panicking and leaping for safety. Passing secretaries found my arrival hilarious and to cap that, I was on the wrong floor. After dusting myself down I used the staircase to find my ultimate destination. Anybody with knowledge of these lifts will know how I felt. Fortunately I successfully negotiated the interviews and gave up my life as a Fitter on the Ammonia Works for a cushy job in the Products Works Drawing Office.
Posted on: 08/12/2004 08:07:04
Eric Collins
I worked in the computer room here, on the north end ground floor, between 1981-1988, after which the section transferred to ICI Wilton. I remember the local children sneaking in after 5 pm to have a go on the paternoster lifts, and the frenzied attempts of the commisionaire to remove them!!!
Posted on: 14/02/2005 08:26:19
Deborah Wilson (nee Surtees)
I went to work in ICI in 1978 in Chilten House but went regularly over to headquarters. The paternoster lifts frigtened the living day lights out of me as I felt you stood in front of them rocking to and fro trying to time the opening and jump on. My Mam and Dad both worked for ICI as well. Mam originally on several of the gates giving out wages(the first women to do this down in the actually factory) and my dad as a driver. Mam eventually worked for the directors as a PA going to agricutural shows in this building I can still remember her extension number was 2291 after you got through the switchboard funny can't remember my own. I on my return to Scotland went to work at ICI Ardeer it must be something in the Surtees nature to want to work for this company.It is sad to see these photos of what happened to this once huge building, and rightly as one of the contributors to this site mentioned a very large employer of a lot of the people who lived in Billingham at the time.
Posted on: 05/01/2006 15:46:07
Amanda Yates
I worked at ICI Billingham from 1976 to 1980, first as a messenger in Chilton House, then in ADO, first in the Export Dept, then I worked in admin support. I dont live in Billingham now, so I was shocked to see ADO the mess that it is now, it was such a grand building. Also to find that Chilton House is no longer standing, another grand building. As for the Paternosters, tried them once, but too scared to try again, it was an art to be able too step in and out of them.
Posted on: 13/03/2006 09:32:03
Peter Dodsworth
I remember moving into the ADO as it was known in 1959, the year it opened. I was a messenger boy in the Accounts Department which was situated in some huts just inside the north gate prior to its move. I had the cleanest shoes in Billiingham compliments of the little wooden boxes in the toilets on the directors floor. I had great fun going 'over the top' in the Paternosters. It was a grand building at the time but it is a great shame that it has got into the state that it is in now.
Posted on: 02/05/2006 08:28:22
Graham Bartlett
Anyone interested in the paternoster lifts mentioned above, please visit http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/paternoster/ where there is more information.
Posted on: 19/05/2006 14:08:39
alan hutchinson
I worked at Norton Hall in 1944, main ICI office in 1944 as office boy, start apprenticeship as fitter in 1946, finished in 1951(early) visited ICI 2005-bitterly disappointed in seeing my old factory half gutted. I would love to hear from any of my old acquaintaces from the 40's
Posted on: 26/06/2006 08:59:36
Bob Harbron
I.C.I offices Mr Alan Hutchinson , will be pleased to know that Norton Hall, on The Green Norton is still a gem Sold to Wimpey Development N.E ,in the late 1990s it contacted Norton Civic,Heritage and local folk during the building , resulting in a truly wonderful piece of restoration , even to the Victorian doors. oak-panelling and chandeliers in the flats. The derelict 1780 tannery next door also I.C.I,was demolished and a in-keeping block of flats, same size plot , using 'old brick' and pantile erected , which blends well with the Green . Ducks and occasional Canada Geese use the lakes in Norton-Hall gardens
Posted on: 28/06/2006 07:46:31
Alice Gardner
In the mid 1970s, I worked for weeks as a "temp" for ICI. Oh boy do I remember the Paternoster lift in ADO My greatest ambition was to stay in it whilst it went "over the top" and "under the bottom". Well I managed the "over the top" but I just did not dare go underneath. I got out on the topmost floor and had a good view of the area but when it came to going underneath I chickened out. I left after a few weeks and remember reading in the paper how a young girl in another part of the country died whilst "going over the top" in a paternoster lift. They were scary but very enjoyable.
Posted on: 06/07/2006 14:41:23
Dave Yates
This was certainly the Rolls Royce of office blocks in its prime. I remember the grass at the front of the building being as plush as Wembley. We'd have loved to get on there with a football but just going near it prompted a commissionaire to tap you on the shoulder.
Posted on: 25/09/2006 08:43:44
Richard Edkins
Researching ICI Nobel's cordite factory in Dalbeattie (site at http://www.dalbeattie.com/ministryofsupplyfactorydalbeattie/index.html) and trying to establish a Roll of Honour of factory workers and office staff between 1939 and 1945. Do you or any of your contacts know anybody who worked at the Dalbeattie factory ? Workers came from as far north as Wick in Caithness and as far south as High Wycombe. Thank you for your help. Yours sincerely, Richard Edkins, webmaster@dalbeattie.com 01556 69056
Posted on: 29/01/2007 10:23:26
lesley maule nee richardson
I worked in the post room as a messenger girl in Billingham ADO 1971-1972 I think. What a great time, and those paternosters were something else. Anyone remember the little red" juve" cards? You got cheap lunches in the canteen with them. Love to hear from some of the girls Louisa Mcmurray, Linda Siddell.
Posted on: 08/02/2007 08:17:09
Bill Tait
I first visited ADO as a messenger boy in 1961. I was amazed at its size and in particular with the length of the corridors, some of which ran the full length of the building. Messengers were not allowed to use the lifts and only senior staff could use the front entrance a policy that continued for many years. But who wanted to use the lifts when there were paternosters. I worked in ADO from 1965 until I moved to Wilton in 1986. I recall a story about a member of staff that had some visitors that asked him what happened when the paternosters changed direction at the ground floor. He promptly offered to show them and stepped in. Once out of sight he managed to stand on his hands and emerged up side down to the horror of his visitors.
Posted on: 20/02/2007 12:17:51
Carol Waugh
Bill Tait. Did you repair the audio equipment for the typing services in ADO? I worked there from 1965 to 1975. Loved the paternosters, went "over the top" and "underneath" a few times. We thought we were so brave! Really sad to see the building in it's present state.
Posted on: 21/02/2007 09:20:24
Eric Collins
I remember the "Juvenile Identity Card" for the reduced price meals in the canteen. I'm ashamed to say mine lasted until I was 20, when one of the canteen ladies noticed that I had grown up a bit and confiscated it.
Posted on: 21/02/2007 15:49:38
Bill Tait
Carol Waugh Yes I worked in the Office Machinery Section. Did you work in the Typying Service in 227. With Taperiters lettered A thru to G but no f machine for obvious reasons, i.e the supervisor did not want mechanics like me asking what was wrong with the F machine
Posted on: 05/03/2007 10:46:33
Barry Davis
Does anyone know what's happening to this building?
Posted on: 07/03/2007 15:11:28
Stan Hilton
It appears that a builder has recently withdrawn an appeal against a recent planning application refusal to build houses on the site and it is once again awaiting a new developer.
Posted on: 09/03/2007 08:46:42
Carol Waugh
Yes, Bill, I did work in 227. The taperiters must have broken down quite frequently as you were a regular visitor to the office. Still in touch with Carolyn Henson.
Posted on: 13/03/2007 08:56:31
rachel wright
My husband's grandfather Gerald McFarlane worked here in the top floor corner office. Not sure if he was the director though. I'll have to ask him..
Posted on: 14/05/2007 09:39:37
jean miller
My mother, Marjorie Cairns, was a Nursing Sister in the Medical Department and my father, Jimmy Cairns worked in the Laboratories.
Posted on: 12/06/2007 12:42:51
Lynda Dickinson
I worked in A.D.O. as it was called then from 1970 to 1974, first of all on 3rd Floor, in the Overseas Dept, and then on 7th Floor (Directorate) for Hector McMillan. He was the Assistant Secretary to the Board. David Allen was the Secretary to the Board. It was very quiet on 7th Floor. There was another 'floor' above 7th floor which was the Board room only I think. The paternoster lifts were great though the one at the end nearest the cashiers was too slow to use to go all the way up to 7th floor. I occasionally used the other one near the post room, jumping on the downward one into the basement on a morning to beat the queue!
Posted on: 14/06/2007 07:36:19
michael jenkinson
im 23 years old born and breed in billingham and im just starting to find a lot about billingham reading this was very interesting although what im very interested in is the ici mines i know a bit about them but not enough id like if someone could tell me where abouts the entrance is to them or if they have been destroyed then where they used to be.
Posted on: 28/06/2007 15:04:21
Lesley Booth
My mother-in-law also worked at A.D.O. as a wages clerk back in the late 60's and early 70's. Her name is Dot Booth and all the girls loved her, she was like the 'mom' to them all. She is still doing well, living in Canada aged 83.
Posted on: 12/07/2007 09:33:07
Anne-Marie Medjber (was Trattles)
I was the PA to Oil Works Manager (Ron Whiteley then Brian Harris) and Works Engineer (Bill Beaumont then Tom Hay)(+ worked for Matt Wells) from 1980-1985. Worked for short while for Brian Harris at 'Visqueen' in Stockton then moved to Dorset. Remember the red direcors' secretaries phones ringing for us to take urgent shorthand messages when there was a I.R or site isssue. Very happy days...
Posted on: 20/08/2007 12:52:10
Paul Cannon
Is this building still standing and if it is, how difficult would it be to go in and take some pictures?
Posted on: 13/12/2007 07:43:11
BARRY PARKIN
PAUL CANNON; THE BUILDING WAS STILL STANDING WHEN WE LEFT THE UK IN JULY THIS YEAR, THERE WOULD BE NO CHANCE OF ANYONE BEING ALLOWED INTO THE BUILDING NOW, IT WOULD BE TOO DANGEROUS, ITS READY TO BE DEMOLISHED.
Posted on: 13/12/2007 12:18:27
Stan Hilton
The building was still standing on Thursday, 13th December and is fenced off to the public, although somebody recently got in and set a fire on the top floor. It's certainly no longer the icon it once was, very much an eyesore, but we are informed that negotiations with the owners mean that it should hopefully be demolished by the end of 2008.
Posted on: 14/12/2007 12:36:24
Roy Parkin
To Paul Cannon. THE end is finally in sight for a fire-ravaged eyesore that has blighted Billingham for years. The process to demolish Billingham House on Belasis Ave in Billingham will start March 2008 and will be completed by Dec 31 the same year. Permission for Photographs if any are to be taken and access should be directed at Watford based Bizzy B who is the present owner. Roy.
Posted on: 14/02/2008 15:51:46
Rita Payne
I think it's so sad on these are going... it's beautiful and iconic. All the beautiful things are going, like steetly in Hartlepool too. Why are we losing all our industrial master pieces?
Posted on: 04/08/2008 22:47:42
alan hutchinson
I worked at norton hall in 1944-45 I remember a boy named squib robertson and another named alec wright. The officials there I remember as Dr Fleck Dr Zeally. The commisioner was a war vet with one arm. anyone else worked there then?al hutchinson
Posted on: 07/08/2008 06:16:25
alan hutchinson
I worked at the transit shed in the 40's and remember irene anderson, davy jones (he could sing in chinese) and bill jessup
Posted on: 07/08/2008 16:37:14
ZEDEN
As of friday 8th of august 2008 scaffolding has been put up on the front entrance and workers are in the building getting rid of the mess and knocking in the walls. Is this the beginning of the long end for the office, also to Paul cannon. Its very easy to get in as me and mates have ( very silly I know ) but had to before it goes round the back you see a way in. The stairs are still there as of last month but no banister to hold on to, the flooded basement comes right up to the first flight of stairs to the ground floor. Some traces of the asbestos can be seen and smelled, the pasternoster lifts have been removed but but left open so you can look up and down the shaft. rubble and broken wall and other rubbish is all over the building and on the top floor there is a skateboarding ramp. Such a shame to see it go in a way.
Posted on: 08/08/2008 00:34:54
Alastair Smith
I wonder if the Dr Fleck you remember, Alan, went on to be the Sir Alexander Fleck who in the 50s/60s held the position of Chairman of ICI UK. If so you worked with an extremely talented chemist who led ICI as a World leading chemical company.
Posted on: 08/08/2008 13:54:34
J/Norman Kidd
My Dad Joseph Kidd joined Synthetic of Ammonia in 1922. I still have the scratty piece of paper recommending him as an employee. Joe as he was known to many, eventually became a staff member in employment after showing his worth. I also still have his letters urging supplies from Haverton Hill Goods Station and outlining the difficulties of getting urgent supplies through on time and his suggestions for improvements to assist this. Like many others, he was a faithful employee. He was part of a group of people that made ICI into the worldwide famous company that it used to be, he also served his country 1939-42 defending Teeside at Sunderland Heavy Anti-Aircraft based at Grangetown. After his retirement in 1951 he kept an interest in the company's progress through the ICI magazine and the published ICI History Vols 1-2. It is interesting to note from this history that ICI purchased Wilton Castle for the sum of £190,000 with 3500 acres of ground in late 1945. Wilton was the home of the de Bulmer families, their other old home at Sheriff Hutton Castle is for sale now at £1,500,000 with 11 acres of ground. That sharpens the mind a little.
Posted on: 09/08/2008 11:54:33
Arthur Allan
Is this the building that was referred to as ICI, Head Office, just a little way up from Belasis main factory gate?, or was it called Hardwick Hall? If so, I went to have a look at it in August 2006 and found it had been demolished. I worked in the Postroom Office in Head Office, with Alan Hutchinson, Ken Ridley, Harry Oliver "Flash" Gordon and a lot of others. The year was 1946. Mr Perryman ran the show assisted by Mr Simpson. I then moved to the "front office" headed by Charlie Hopkins, the Commissionaire, the one you spoke about having one arm, Alan. One of my duties was to light the fire in the board room on the first floor, set out the tables and sharpen the pencils. Dr Fleck, who you also spoke of Alan, was the MD of ICI Limited at the time. When he was in attendance he used to talk to me about what I was going to do with my future. Not bad for a young kid from Billingham talking to the MD of one of the largest companies in the UK. What ever happend to the great ICI? Alan, we last spoke to one another about four years ago, lost your email address-sorry. It's a great website this one, but not a great deal about the boys and girls from Billingham, so come on "youse" lot and give it a go.
Posted on: 10/08/2008 10:33:47
Bill Davies
At one time my mother and father were the longest married couple working for I C I Billingham. My father Norman was time clerk at armmonia plant and my mother Annie worked in the packing sheds. As a messenger boy I worked at oil works from 1954-55 with Shiela O` Conner,Ann Jones Brian Burrige. Mr T.N.F. Frankland was the time clerk.
Posted on: 11/08/2008 19:58:10
alan hutchinson
I remember Arthur Allen well. We used to sing together with the gang going to the Carlton at Norton. He was very good at harmonizing He played the trumpet - remember lenny rowbotham? Mo Lambert. Dr Fleck was a no airs and graces super executive. al hutch
Posted on: 12/08/2008 02:16:26
Arthur Allan
Not answering on behalf of Alan Hutchinson, Alister (Smith), but yes, Dr Fleck did become Sir Alexander Fleck, Chairman of ICI Limited. I also believe he eventually became Lord Fleck.
Posted on: 12/08/2008 07:14:56
Anon
I. C. I . A truly world class chemical company, with an enormous number of achievements to its credit in so many fields, paints,pharmaceuticals, plastics etc. Now scattered to the winds. These things happen, but many of I C I's former rivals on the world scene are still there, still trading under their own names. Makes you think. To borrow an apt phrase,"Where did it all go wrong Mr (George) Best?"
Posted on: 12/08/2008 14:40:43
Alan Hutchinson
I remember vividly one encounter with Dr Fleck or Dr ATS Zeally - cant remember which. A ripe pear was left on the desk. I was praised because I didnt steal it! I suppose a ripe pear had a high value then.
Posted on: 13/08/2008 02:34:58
Alan Hutchinson
I cant remember the paternoster lifts. They look very dangerous - a lawsuit waiting to happen. Would like to know the injury history.
Posted on: 14/08/2008 23:14:17
Library Reference
Dewey Decimal: 999 Reference: t812 - link available