Last month (16th May 2026) more than 40 former employees of the Ronson Lighter Factory gathered together for a reunion as part of Flame Keepers, a heritage project recording the untold history of those who worked at the factory between the 1960s and 1980s.
For many attending, it was the first time they had seen one another since the factory closed in 1981 – some 45 years ago.
Faces lit up as old memories came flooding back
Hosted by Discover More CIC at Independent Arts on Newport High Street, tables were strewn with old photographs showing groups of women laughing, the endless assembly line, technicians in white coats, and carefree moments of celebration and hijinks.
As people walked through the door, their faces visibly lit up as they tried to spot their younger selves and recall the names of old colleagues.
“That’s me,” said Christine, pointing to a smiling teenager posing on the assembly line. “Look, that’s Little Val and Karen.”
Laughter, lighters and a few near-misses on the factory floor
Soon, the room was filled with talk of days long ago, the camaraderie, shared memories of throwing ‘exploding’ lighters into sand buckets (health and safety was a different beast back then), lunch breaks in the well-run canteen and, of course, the weekend visits to nightclubs.
“I was a flame setter, but I also worked in rectification, sorting out faulty lighters,” explained one woman who used to be a supervisor. “There was the official Ronson way of doing things, but I found quicker ways.”
For some, Ronson changed the course of their lives entirely
For others, the factory changed their personal lives forever. “I met my husband there,” one attendee shared. “I said, ‘Who is that man who looks just like Cliff Richard?’ And the rest is history!”
Easy conversation flowed alongside a conveyor belt of laughter. For a moment, you could imagine you were right back on the factory floor during a tea break.
“I didn’t want to become a hairdresser, so my mum said, ‘You have to get a job, phone up Ronson.’ Which I did,” said Karen. “The money was good and I already had school friends working there.”
Another attendee echoed the economic reality of the era: “I wanted to go to art college, but at that time it didn’t seem likely, so I got a job at Ronson and stayed there for years.”
Others recalled how Ronson was a lifeline for women who needed to support their family, “My mum had to get a job when dad became seriously ill, and Ronson was a good option for unskilled women to get well-paid work. They even delivered work to our house. I think mum had to glue 500 lighter covers in a day!”
A rare collection of Ronson products brings the past into focus
However, it wasn’t just former workers who attended. Marlene Irving brought along an incredible number of products made at the Newport factory, which were collected by her late father, Stanley Whittington, who worked for Ronson.
From the Picnicker stove to the hand-held hair dryer, countless lighters and travel cases, these pristine examples of Ronson products helped the memories flow.
The secret of the Island factory’s remarkable success
There is no doubt that a key element of Ronson’s success – the Isle of Wight factory famously outperformed all other European branches – was the fact that it was a family affair. Mothers worked alongside daughters, who in turn recommended friends, creating a completely unique working environment.
While the work was undeniably hard, with “time and motion” men checking productivity, the pay was excellent, especially for young women straight out of school.
“Ronson was a great place, those really were the best days,” said Pat. Of course, factories rely on efficiency and effective processes, but perhaps the secret Island ingredient was the nurturing, family atmosphere that the workers created for one another.
Old flames rekindled as a remarkable afternoon draws to a close
By the end of the afternoon, there was standing room only. The room was a radiant mix of people rekindling old flames, exchanging phone numbers, smiling and hugging.
Thanks go to Independent Arts for hosting the event and Isle of Wight County Press for the use of archive images.
Flame Keepers is part of Creative Island’s Past Futures programme, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF).
More information about the project can be found on the Flame Keepers website
