I was tempted to respond to a letter by John Guess in last week’s edition, but decided it must be a ‘wind-up’.

Enclosed is a copy of a page from an old edition of what I believe is news from the Transport and General Workers’ Union, pictured left.

Mr Guess (if that was his real name) would be horrified if faced with or offered employment with the former ‘Brunner Mond’.

I realise now that my grandfather, who was a union member (born 1887) and worked at Winnington, must have slaved under such conditions in the soda plant.

He never complained and could afford little.

Sometimes he would send me to the union office to pay ‘his dues’.

A large Dickensian room at the top of Castle Hill.

I smile when I read the terms ‘hard working – deserving of ’.

Denis Cain Northwich