In the centre of a new housing development in Southend-on-Sea there now stands this statue of  Eric Kirkham Cole, inventor and founder of the company EKCO. Here, where once stood the sprawling factory he established, himself and many brilliant minds, for 30 years pioneered the development of radio, TV, radar, nucleonics, plastics and many innovative products. At it's height the company employed some 8000, including myself, mum, dad, two uncles and a cousin. Click here to read more about this largely forgotten company and some of its outstanding achievements.