On this day in history : 14th September 1951 – Fawley Oil Refinery, on Southampton Water, is opened by Prime Minister Clement Attlee….
Fawley was then the largest oil refinery in Europe, capable of processing 5.5 million gallons of oil per day…. It could produce 1.5 million gallons of petrol – a third of the Country’s daily requirement at that time….
The opening ceremony was a momentous occasion, with a lavish luncheon held afterwards for 5,000 guests….the largest lunch party ever to have been held in Britain up until that time….
Cottage Capers 