I was really please to read Ernie MacKenzie letter to the Watford Observer (July 8) regarding the photograph I’d chosen from the Museum’s collection for part 44 of the ‘50 events and dates that shaped Watford’. It is wonderful that he has written in with fuller historical details, especially as I always have to be brief when writing about a photograph. As he says, he’s been able “put a bit more meat on the bones” of my wording.

It’s also lovely to get some clarification about the subject from someone who has a personal and family connection, as we’re always looking to improve the accuracy of our reference and information files. We knew G W Jones had been acquired by Debenhams, but had found conflicting information about where the funds came from for the new factory. The business names associated with this factory in Whippendell Road, in the early years, changed so quickly that G W Jones almost gets lost to history.

Read more: London department store's part in history of famous printing firm

Our photograph of the Menpes Printing Company factory on Whippendell Road is a recent addition to the Museum’s photograph collection. It has proved very useful as, until now, our earliest image of this building when connected with G W Jones has been a very poor photocopy! It’s fascinating to have the two examples of an identical view; the Menpes one being updated with a new business name, just as we could do today with any photo editing software.

Christine Orchard

Volunteer Archivist, Watford Museum