The new ESSO REFINERY at Fawley

The Esso Petroleum Company's new oil refinery at Fawley, Hampshire, was officially opened by the Prime Minister on Friday, 14th September. The opening ceremony was a momentous and memorable occasion, in keeping with the opening of Europe's largest refinery. The opening speeches by Mr. L. Sinclair, Chairman and Managing Director, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Frank W. Abrams, President, Standard Oil Company (New Jersey), and the Rt. Hon. C. R. Attlee, C.H., M.P., Prime Minister, were concise, interesting, and straight to the point. The lunch that followed for over 5,000 guests was the largest ever given in Britain. Even the weather was kind after a night of high winds that caused anxious moments to the tent erectors. It was a fitting ceremony to a great occasion and Fawley is off to a flying start.