A local history enthusiast is sharing his knowledge with scientists.
Bob Roach is giving a talk about the early chemical industry in Widnes at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 13.
He will be a guest of Widnes SciBar which meets at the Hillcrest Hotel in Cronton Lane.
Before 1847, Widnes was a rural area with scattered villages.
From then on, change was rapid and drastic as the chemical industry arrived in the form of the Leblanc process.
Thousands moved into the town, most to work and with many living in dreadful conditions.
However, Widnes was also the place to be for entrepreneurs and talented chemists from both England and the continent.
Some of these chemists eventually recognised the potential of major changes being introduced elsewhere and moved on but some remained loyal to the Leblanc process to the end.
The event is presented by Friends of Catalyst and the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.
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