Demolition work is under way at the 80-year-old cement works at Barrington, where owner Cemex closed its manufacturing plant five years ago. Workmen pulling down buildings on an industrial site have found an old briefcase containing documents that could mean a windfall for a local charity.
The briefcase contains paperwork relating to the cement works’ social club – including details of the club’s bank account. And inquiries at the bank have revealed there is nearly £2,500 sitting unused in the account.
Former Cemex employee John Drayton, now working on the site as a caretaker, said: “The briefcase has got documents inside it relating to the site’s old Eastwoods Social Club. “I’ve spoken to the club’s president, Walter Shaw, who is now in his 80s, and we hope that through the News we might be able to track down any other committee members, so it can be decided what to do with the money that’s in the bank account. “The club no longer meets, of course, so it will be good to put the money to some use, and one of the ideas I had was that it could go to a local charity, as a donation, perhaps the children’s hospice at Milton or the East Anglian Air Ambulance.”
Cemex spokeswoman Ian Southcott said: “It’s splendid news that these documents have been recovered and that they might be used to help a local good cause. “In terms of the site itself, it was mothballed in 2008 when the recession started to bite, and last April it was decommissioned because of the slow prospect of recovery in the construction industry. “At present we’re looking at updating the rail infrastructure on the site to bring in consignments of clay that can be used as part of the restoration of the quarry there. “In the longer term, there may be uses for the site for other forms of employment, and we’re looking at talking to local residents about what uses they think might be possible.”
Former members of the social club committee are asked to call Mr Drayton on 07764 314985.
Original article at: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/Demolition-crew-unearths-key-to-forgotten-thousands-08012013.htm