National trade body the Painting and Decorating Association has gifted Crown Paints with a unique piece of industry history.
The Association’s chief executive, Neil Ogilvie, visited Crown Paints’ Lancashire headquarters to present an intricate chain of office timepiece, which has a rich heritage in the North West.
Made in 1904, the gold chain belonged to the Manchester and Salford branch of the British Decorators Association, now the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA).
The Manchester and Salford branch ceased operations in the early 1990s and the chain was then returned to the trade body’s head office.
When the PDA moved to new headquarters in Nuneaton from Harrogate in 1992 the chain was placed in safe storage, where it lay for more than 20 years before PDA staff recently rediscovered it.
Neil Ogilvie said: “We have tried to investigate the chain’s background, but unfortunately, many of the contacts for this area are no longer with us to glean any further information.
“One member we contacted believed it might have descended from the Altrincham and Sale branch originally.
“We decided to present the chain to Crown Paints as it represents the area in which they are based. It’s also a fitting tribute to give this important piece of our history to one of our long-standing supporters for them to proudly display at their Darwen head office.”
Liz Hickson, marketing director of Crown Paints, accepted the chain from Mr Ogilvie. She said: “It’s an incredible honour to receive such an important piece from the PDA.
“We both have a history which stretches back hundreds of years and this presentation was a very special opportunity to reflect on that heritage.
“We look forward to continuing our support for this important trade association and are very grateful for this highly significant gift.”
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