i ione for pens rs of the Reckitt Benckiser (formerly Reckitt & Colman) Pension Fu nd No. 51, June 2011 project to preserve the remotest museum in the world. Regular Contact correspondent Chris Coulson sent us photographs of the flour and mustard products taken in the hut by a friend of his who is working in Antarctica. We also have, see P3, a rare photograph which TV viewers will not see. Such programmes are frequently repeated so, if you missed it first time, try to catch it next time. You will be proud to discover your own company had its part in the making of some of our greatest national heroes. Both companies had the common objective of creating a better society by developing good citizens and not, to quote one report, “just captives for industry” and both provided forms of education at work from the 1870s onwards. Colmans started the Carrow village school in an upper room in King Street, reached by a stepladder and handrail. Beginning with a roster of 22 children it needed a completely new building by 1864 and had 324 pupils when the state took responsibility for such education in 1870 – although Carrow was not completely handed over until 1900. The Reckitt Continuation School established in 1919 in anticipation of the Education Act of 1921 was a national leader. In 1937 the Commons was told 12 such schools still existed, seven maintained by employers. Product placement with 100 year advance booking The hour-long BBC2 documentary programme “The Secrets of Scott’s Hut” presented by transatlantic rower Ben Fogle on April 17 unexpectedly showed numerous long lingering shots of 100 year old Colman products that would cost the equivalent of a banker’s bonus at today’s TV advertising rates. This hitherto little-known product placement in the Antarctic is scheduled to continue as part of a £multi-million A JOB AT 14 INCLUDED AN EDUCATION TO 18 The big society obligation shown by the Reckitt and the Colman family companies 100 years ago when, as reported in our last issue (Contact No. 50, March 2011), they funded emigration to new jobs in Canada was part of a much broader and longer lasting sense of social responsibilty. Getting a job with either company also meant getting a further education in their factory schools. The Reckitt Continuation School had the longest record (1919-1967) whilst Colman’s Carrow School (1857) was the earliest. As the current debate continues over what exactly is the Big Society the objectives of our family firm forebears were quite clear. who will go into the world qualified for any duties they may be called upon to discharge. “The instruction will include Reading, Writing, Spelling, Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography, English History, Drawing, also the diligent and careful teaching of the Sacred Scriptures. The girls will also receive instruction in needlework.” An asset to the State Headmaster J.A.Creighton writing in 1924 about the Dansom Lane school (the classrooms still exist in the Francis Reckitt Institute (FRI) building) said: “The broad aim of all the education is not a preparation for any particular trade or occupation, but the inculcating of sound principles which will make the boys an asset to the State.” In a circular sent to Colman employees in 1857 Jeremiah Colman said: “We shall rejoice to find that the school helps you to educate your children, and to train up a set of men Tea in the factory cafeteria (right) for parents and family visitors to a Reckitt’s Continuation School Open Day in the 1950s. More on centre pages next page