A landmark of Welwyn Garden City are the 30 tall silos of the Shredded Wheat Factory which overlook the town. The factory opened in 1928 to produce breakfast cereals and in particular shredded wheat. During the Second World War it was considered of such importance to the provision of food that it was given special protection from enemy bombers. Until recent years vistors to the Garden City would not only see this impressive structure but smell it from miles away. A pleasant warm and malty aroma not unlike that of a brewery. But unfortunately no more. The factory was closed in 2008 and is believed to have been purchased by TESCO which plans a large shopping centre with residential and sports areas. The main building is listed and will remain. It will be interesting to see what use can be found for the 30 silos.

On the other side of the footbridge you can see the Howard Centre shopping mall and beneath it the railway stations with hourly trains to London's Kings Cross (26 minutes away) and through which passes much of the trafic to Britains North East.

Photographs for this panorama were taken in June 2008 not long after breakfast cereal production ceased. At that time the "Sherreded Wheat" sign still existed. It has since been painted over.

mark@panoradiant.co.uk