Billingham

Billingham is a town just north of the River Tees, in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees, traditionally part of County Durham. The demand for explosives created by the First World War led to a massive expansion of Billingham. In 1917, it was decided by the government to build a plant to produce ammonia. Later this was used predominantly in the production of chemicals for fertiliser. Eventually, in 1926, this plant became part of the newly formed company, ICI. Anhydrite was also mined in the Billingham area from 1928. In 1934 plastics began to be produced there. The introduction to the most recent print of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World states that Huxley was inspired to write the classic novel after a visit to the newly-opened and technologically advanced Brunner and Mond plant at ICI in the 1920s.

Related Topics:
Town - North - River Tees - Borough - Stockton-on-Tees - County Durham - First World War - 1917 - Ammonia - Fertiliser - 1926 - ICI - Anhydrite - 1928 - 1934 - Aldous Huxley

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1967, Billinghm Forum was opened. This is a unique sports and leisure complex containing a Theatre, swimming pool, and a number of sports halls.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From 1971 to 1988 ICI operated a small General Atomics TRIGA Mark I nuclear reactor at its Billingham factory.

Related Topics:
1971 - 1988 - General Atomics - TRIGA - Nuclear reactor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ICI no longer operates in Billingham having sold many of its businesses during the company's restructuring of the 1990s.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1983, NIREX announced a proposal to use the now-disused anhydrite mine as a site for the disposal of intermediate level nuclear waste. There was a huge public outcry, since despite the suitability of the site in geological terms, it was very close to a large population centre. Subsequently, in 1985, the plans were dropped.

Related Topics:
1983 - NIREX - Nuclear waste - Geological - 1985

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From 1965 onwards, the town has played host to the Billingham Folklore Festival.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2003, the town had the misfortune to be listed in The Idler magazine's book, Crap Towns, an index of the worst places in Britain to live submitted by its readers via a website. Billingham ranked 35th.

Related Topics:
The Idler - Crap Towns

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The parish church of St Cuthberts, hints at history of the town. It was built in Anglo-Saxon times, and was largely rebuilt around 1170, althought the tower still dates back to the original period. It is believed that the church is so named because it was a resting place for the coffin of St Cuthbert on route to his final resting place of Durham Cathedral.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Famous people born or having lived in the town include actor Jamie Bell, TV Gladiator Jet, techno musician CJ Bolland, one of the lead singers of Chumbawamba and Paul Smith, the frontman for popular indie group Maxïmo Park.

Related Topics:
Jamie Bell - Gladiator - CJ Bolland - Chumbawamba - Paul Smith - Maxïmo Park

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~