Nestlé’s Tutbury factory welcomed local pensioners for a special afternoon tea celebration as part of its 125th anniversary year. The event brought together former colleagues, local residents and members of the community for an afternoon of nostalgia, creativity and connection.
Held at the historic Derbyshire site, the event celebrated the factory’s longstanding role at the heart of the local community. Guests were invited to embrace the occasion with optional Victorian-themed fancy dress, reflecting the era in which the factory first opened its doors. Many attendees enjoyed seeing traditional costumes and joining in the spirit of the anniversary celebrations.
The afternoon featured a display of historic photographs and factory memorabilia, with many items generously contributed by local residents, helping to tell the story of the factory’s remarkable 125-year history and its place in the lives of generations of local families.
Guests also received commemorative Nescafé jars featuring special anniversary labels, as well as gift bags to mark the occasion.
A highlight of the event was a community art workshop delivered by Making Trails. Working together, pensioners helped create a unique coffee bean mosaic inspired by one of the factory’s most iconic products. Using thousands of roasted and unroasted coffee beans supplied by Nestlé, participants carefully placed the beans by hand to create a textured artwork celebrating the site’s coffee heritage.
The artwork, centred around a giant coffee jar design, was completed by factory employees before returning to the Making Trails studio for finishing touches. The piece will be permanently displayed at the factory as a lasting legacy of the anniversary celebrations.
David Guest, Factory Manager at Nestlé Tutbury, said: “We were delighted to welcome so many local pensioners to the factory and to celebrate this special milestone together. It was wonderful to see guests sharing memories, exploring the displays and getting involved in creating a piece of artwork that reflects the history and heritage of our site.
“The event had a fantastic atmosphere, and we're so pleased it was enjoyed by everyone who attended. As we celebrate 125 years in Tutbury, it felt particularly meaningful to bring people together and recognise the important role the factory has played in the local community across generations.”
As anniversary celebrations continue throughout the year, the pensioners’ afternoon tea provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on the factory’s rich history while creating new memories for the future.
