Brothers' lives linked to sugar factory

4:15pm Friday 28th March 2008

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TWO brothers born and bred on the British Sugar factory site in Kidderminster have asked if they can play a role in its demolition.

The former factory site is currently being pulled down to make way for new businesses and recently the iconic 75-metre steel chimney was pulled down.

The fortunes of brothers Gavin and Stewart Logan, of Windermere Way, Stourport, have been deeply connected with the factory since they were born during the Second World War.

Gavin and Stewart's father, William Logan, came down to the factory from Scotland in 1928 to work as a key worker at the then West Midlands Sugar Company.

Gavin, 68, worked at the factory for 39 years, starting as an apprentice and working his way up to shift manager.

He grew up with his four brothers inside the factory grounds in a small village made up of eight houses and the manager's bungalow.

Stewart, 70, who played for Kidderminster Harriers from 1960 to 1972, lived in the family house for 58 years and was the last person to leave before the village was knocked down.

The brothers now want to play a part in the demolition of the landmark silos at the site to help them move on with their lives and have some involvement in its future.

Gavin said: "It is almost as if a part of my life is passing before my eyes. I understand that progress must be made and we have to move on. That's the way it has to be."

He added: "I want to play a part in the redevelopment of the site.

"I want it to be of benefit to Kidderminster again and to help bring employment to the area."

Stewart Logan said: "British Sugar was a big part of my life and something I will never forget.

"It was like a big family there. It was a fantastic place and I hope the area is put back to good use."

Gavin was involved in projects to increase factory production from 1,440 tons of sugar beet to 5000 tons a day and witnessed the shift from manual labour to the use of instrumentation and computers.

He said: "I thoroughly enjoyed working there. I worked hard and was given opportunities as a result.

"What I remember most fondly is the camaraderie and the characters who worked there."

Billy Young, contracts manager at Birmingham-based decommissioning company, DSM, said he had no objections to the brothers being present at the destruction of the silos.

He explained that no date had yet been set for this phase of demolition and that for health and safety reasons the brothers would not be able to take an active role.