'I kept York's last batch of chocolate oranges for 20 years'

Ian Bradshaw donated his unwrapped haul to York's Chocolate Story in King's Square

Twenty years ago, staff at the Terry's chocolate factory in York were saying tearful farewells to a brand that had been associated with the city since 1767.

Kraft Foods closed the Art Deco-style Chocolate Works plant in 2005 and moved production overseas, making 300 workers redundant.

Among the employees to receive a poignant last gift was Ian Bradshaw, who took home 12 boxed Terry's Chocolate Oranges and has kept them, unopened, ever since.

Mr Bradshaw has now handed them to York's Chocolate Story, the museum which tells the story of the confectionery industry.

Mr Bradshaw worked in payroll and HR at the site, which was built in 1926, for 26 years. It is now a housing development.

The iconic Terry's product was part of a batch that was meant to be shipped for sale in Australia before the order was cancelled and they were distributed to the staff instead.

The Terry's connection with York ended in 2005 when the company moved production overseas

He said: "I've been saving them for 20 years. I know many of my former colleagues will have eaten them long ago, but it felt right to preserve them to help tell the Terry's story to future generations.

"When I've gone, somebody might have just thrown them away but I think they deserve to hold a special place to remember our history."

Some of the original Terry's buildings in the Bishopthorpe Road factory grounds, including the clock tower, have been preserved as part of the redevelopment.

Serena Redshaw, guest experience manager at York's Chocolate Story, said: "Terry's is such an important part of York's chocolate heritage and these oranges are a poignant reminder of the day the factory closed its doors.

"We're delighted with the donation. It's not every day you're handed a 20-year-old stash of Chocolate Oranges."

Chocolate Orange manufacture began in York in 1932, and they are now produced in France.

York's other major confectionery plant was Rowntree's on Haxby Road, which closed in 2006 and has been redeveloped as The Cocoa Works.

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