[p]ladis, the home of Carr’s biscuits in Carlisle, welcomed back the great granddaughter of Founder, Jonathan Dodgson Carr, to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Margaret Carr visited the factory, which is the oldest biscuit factory in the world, along with family members – all descendants of the Carr family – for tea, biscuits and crackers in the historic boardroom, where paintings of her father (who was former Chairman) and great grandfather are mounted on the walls. The family were also welcomed on a tour of the factory where the iconic Carr’s Table water crackers are still baked in a unique brick oven that is modelled on a Carr’s design from the early 1900’s.
Margaret, who lives near Carlisle and worked on the site for a short time during the War, said: “I’m delighted to be back at the factory to celebrate my 100th birthday and see elements of my father and great grandfather still intact.
“It’s a proud moment for me and my family to see the legacy they have left behind. The pladis team have been so welcoming towards us and have truly made the occasion one to remember.”
Now run by pladis, the global snacking company behind some of the UK’s most-loved snacks, the factory bakes a variety of biscuits, including McVitie’s Ginger Nuts, Custard Creams, Bourbons and Nice.
Mike Heaney, Factory General Manager at the pladis site in Carlisle said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Margaret and her family back into the factory and to learn more about the history and heritage of the Caldewgate site. It was an honour for us and we hope she enjoyed the day.”
