Texaco's Big 40 (From Western Telegraph)

Texaco's Big 40

A 40th birthday is often approached with some trepidation. But not so by Texaco's Pembroke refinery. Not only did management and staff celebrate in style last year, but the company also continued its magnificent fundraising for local charities and community groups. To match its birthday, Texaco set a target of £40,000 by the end of 2004. The final total reached was over half that much again - £72,300.

The Texaco refinery is situated on the shores of the Milford Haven Waterway. It was in February 1963 when local MP Desmond Donnelly cut the first sod of earth on the site (pictured right, top inset). And the refinery, which cost £30 million to build, was opened by the Queen Mother in October of the following year.

Since then, there have been changes in ownership, expansions, upgradings, and the ever present challenges presented by an unpredictable oil industry.

A massive explosion at the refinery in 1994 was followed by a major reconstruction project, and since then further upgrading work has taken place.

During the past four decades, Texaco has created well-paid permanent jobs at the refinery, provided work for contractors and supply industries, pumped millions of pounds into the local economy and helped a huge range of good causes across Pembrokeshire and further afield A key role has been played by Texaco's public affairs adviser Phil Thompson. As well as handling employee communications and media relations work, he organises employee events, family days, open days and, in the early 1990s, he started fundraising events.