| Date | 14 September 2012 |
|---|---|
| Source | Slough Observer |
Transcript
Horlicks fuelled great explorers
Email Elias with feedback and your memories on observernews@berksmedia.co.uk
AST Friday I opened up the Horlicks factory on Stoke Poges Lane, Slough, to the public for the second time in its 104-year history as part of the Heritage Open Day weekends, when historic buildings throughout Britain are opened for a short period of time to the public.
The history of Horlicks is an interesting one. The original company was founded in America by two English gentlemen, James and William Horlick in Chicago in 1873. They manufactured a patented malted milk drink as an artificial infant food. This became very popular and the company moved to larger premises at Racine, Wisconsin, where there was an abundant supply of spring water.
In 1890 James returned to London to set up an office to import the US product to England. It soon became apparent that there was a need for a factory in England. In 1906 Slough was selected as a site for a new factory.
It was on land which was originally part of a farm called Lowlees Farm, which had been owned by Eton College since its foundation 1440. In 1908 the factory was completed at a cost of £28,000, and the building was later extended in 1929 and again in the late 1950s.
Shortly after it opened Horlicks became a popular provision for expeditions to both the North and South Poles, in particular those run by Robert Falcon Scott (of the Antarctic).
In 1914 James was created a Baronet. He died in 1921 and the company was split between William, having responsibility for the Americas, and the sons of James for the rest of the world.
In 1935 the explorer Richard E Byrd named the newly discovered Horlick Mountains in Antarctica after William Horlick, in appreciation of his support for his expeditions.
Shortly after the death of William Horlick the US company was acquired by the British Horlicks business.
From the 1960s, the business was expanded into India, where Horlicks was made from buffalo milk. In 1969 Horlicks was acquired by the Beecham Group and in 1989 the company became known as SmithKline Beecham. The most recent company name change dates from 2000, when it became GlaxoSmithKline.
The Heritage Open Days visit included a tour of the small museum, archives, art deco boardroom and the original factory railway platform.
The party included ex-employees who recalled some of their memories of working at the factory.
HOW IT WAS: This aerial view shows the Horlicks factory in 1920. The doors were thrown open last Friday as part of the Heritage Open Day weekend.
A stately ceremony for Elias
HISTORIAN and archaeologist Elias Kupfermann married Ewa Wilemberg on Sunday last week at The Guildhall, Windsor.
After a civil ceremony, the couple left The Guildhall in a Victorian landau horse-drawn carriage along the Long Walk of Windsor Castle before returning to the Castle Hotel, in High Street, Windsor, for a wedding breakfast with 100 guests.
The bride, 31, wore a Justin Alexander vintage-style tulle dress with applied Venice lace and a silk dupioni sash.
The couple met a year and a half ago on an internet dating site.
HAPPY COUPLE: Elias Kupfermann wed Ewa Wilemberg at The Guildhall, Windsor, on Sunday last week.
Images
