Livre d'Or

When I was working in ICI Corporate Laboratory in the late 1960s, there was an absolute ban on naked flames.

However, despite all precautions we had a major fire one Xmas eve. ICI never found the cause. Ironically, the Lab Director had previously issued a stern edict that the day, a Friday, was a full working day. While the fire brigade were struggling with an inferno, the Director was vociferously rejoicing that everybody had been at extended Xmas lunches or on leave, so that only the security staff were still on site and nobody was hurt.

Southernwood