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Captured in a moment in time – how Fairgrieves featured in a 1963 Lowry sketch which now has pride of place in our reception

Look behind the reception at Fairgrieve Compression Moulding and you’ll see something which has become quite a talking point for our visitors – a sketch by LS Lowry featuring our former premises in Sunderland.

Known for his distinctive paintings of industrial scenes and the use of simple figures often referred to as ‘matchstick men’, Laurence Stephen Lowry picked out our premises in High Street East when focusing his attention on a neighbouring tavern, the Half Moon Inn.

He even included our former business name, Fairgrieve Bros, on the day he created the sketch in 1963.

The existence of the sketch was only brought to our attention when spotted by a visitor to an exhibition at Sunderland Museum a couple of years ago.

Now, thanks to the determination and persistence of our business administration manager Dawn Stavers, a print now takes pride of place in our Washington home.

‘A real slice of history’

“It’s a real slice of history, both in terms of being a snapshot of the company’s past, but also of course as it is a piece of work by someone who is regarded as one of the most important British artists of the 20th century,” said Dawn.

“He was known for depicting everyday working-class life in industrial towns, and of course, that is exactly what our business has been built around since it was established more than 112 years ago. We’re a traditional North East manufacturer.”

Having visited the museum to see the sketch herself, Dawn then got in touch with the Lowry Estate to request a copy.

“We were determined to get a copy to have in our reception, as it is such an honour to have been featured, but we had to agree to lots of stipulations in order to do so,” Dawn added.

“We were only allowed one print, and it had to be of a certain size, and has to be kept in our premises and not put on display anywhere else. The Estate were very helpful though, and we’re delighted to have it.

“When people come through our doors we often, as a bit of a joke, say that we have a Lowry, but then of course have to admit is a print and not an original.

“It’s still something very special to have though, and it’s great for starting a bit of a conversation about our history, and the significant role we have played in the UK plastics sector.

“If you’re business is featured on a Lowry sketch and is still going strong today, then you must be doing something right.”

Fairgrieves’ former home, which it owned between 1917 and 1998, is known as the Eagle Building.

One of Sunderland’s oldest buildings, it is now home to a number of companies as a business centre.

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