Stone me, the statue’s gone
- Daily Mail
- 27 Nov 2014
- Compiled by Charles Legge
Work of art: Stonemason Kitey Harris and his statue. Right: Bell’s Asbestos Ltd
QUESTION The company Bestobell, when based in Slough, had an iconic statue of a fireproof suit outside its factory. When Bestobell left Slough, the statue went. Where is it? The Bestobell company has its origins in the 1880s, when John Bell acquired samples of chrysotile asbestos from Canada; he then sought advice from a Lancashire cotton spinner and weaver, Samuel Turner, who entered an agreement to supply woven asbestos to Bell.
After various changes in ownership, Bells Asbestos And engineering Supplies Ltd, or Bestobell, moved from London to Slough, in 1929. It was a very successful company for many years, producing fire protective equipment for firemen, welders, steel workers, potters etc, insulation panels for aircraft construction and coach builders, sound and heat insulation, packing as well as asbestos ducting, rollers and belts for handling hot metal.
Bestobell supplied the Air Ministry with fire-fighting clothing; asbestos flying- suits, helmets, gloves and boots. The company also supplied coloured asbestos fabrics for aircraft upholstery and sound and fire-insulating materials for engine and cabin bulkheads. In 1936, Bestobell commissioned stonemason Kitey harris to carve a statue based on the F53 heavyweight suit in Portland stone from a quarry near Worth Matravers, Dorset.
The partly-carved statue was driven to Slough so the craftsman could finish the legs and feet once it was in position outside the works.
I used to pass the statue on my way to work on Slough trading estate in the Seventies. The Bestobell man is now in storage in a building on Slough trading estate, owned by Segro, the company that owns and manages Slough trading estate. There are no plans to put it on display. P. Ronson, Slough, Berks.
