IN 1962, of the proposed chimneys at Didcot Power Station, the reaction locally was muted and presumably came as a shock. Harrold Merrit, an RDC councillor said that though it would hardly improve the amenities of Didcot, it would be better than seeing people queueing for the dole.
A week later, the council gave its approval. Harold Merritt gave these statistics: “The power station would be more powerful than Battersea, 2,000 megawatts as opposed to 1,200; it would employ 500 men, consisting of 65 technical officers, 30 clerical and about 400 manual labourers. It is hoped a decision would be heard July or September of the next year [ie 1963]. It would cost £70,000,000, take five years to build, a start being made in 1965.”
In 2014, now three of the chimneys are coming down. This really must be witnessed hopefully at 6am, not 4am, on July 27.
MARGARET CHEESEMAN
Newbury Road
Hermitage
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