A STASH of Terry’s Chocolate Oranges – among the very last ever made in York – has been donated to a popular York attraction in time to mark 20 years since the closure of the city’s iconic confectionary factory.

Former supervisor Ian Bradshaw, who worked at the Bishopthorpe Road site for 26 years, has gifted the 12 boxed oranges to help preserve the legacy of one of York’s most beloved chocolate brands and products.

Ian Bradshaw, who worked in the factory’s HR and payroll departments, revealed the oranges had originally been destined for Australia before the order was cancelled and were instead handed out to staff as a farewell gift when the factory closed on September 30, 2005.

Terry's factory in York which closed 20 years ago - now apartments(Image: )

Ian said: "I’ve been saving them for 20 years. I know many of my former colleagues will have eaten them long ago but it felt right to preserve them to help tell the Terry’s story to future generations."

The haul has been donated to York’s Chocolate Story in King's Square, just in time for the 20th anniversary of the closure of the iconic factory, which is now a housing complex.

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Ian said: "I thought the only place they truly belonged was York’s Chocolate Story, where they can be appreciated as part of our history.

"When I’ve gone, somebody might have just thrown them away but I think they deserve to hold a special place to remember our history. Terry’s was such a family-orientated business and I have so many happy memories there. Now these Chocolate Oranges can help tell that story for future generations."

Still in their original packaging and bearing the famous “It’s not Terry’s, it’s mine” slogan, the oranges will soon form part of York’s Chocolate Story’s Terry’s exhibition, due go on display in early 2026.

Terry's Chocolate Orange is a precious slice of our city's heritage say bosses at York's Chocolate Story, Yorkshire’s most popular chocolate attraction, which takes visitors on a journey from the origins of chocolate in the Central American rainforests through to the invention of world-famous brands in York by Terry’s and Rowntree’s.

Serena Redshaw and Ian Bradshaw in the current Terry's exhibition(Image: )

Serena Redshaw, of York’s Chocolate Story, said: "It’s not every day you’re handed a 20-year-old stash of Chocolate Oranges! We’re absolutely delighted to accept this unique donation.

"Terry’s is such an important part of York’s chocolate heritage and these oranges are a poignant reminder of the day the factory closed its doors. They’ll soon take pride of place in our refreshed Terry’s section for guests to see."

Share your memories

If you love delving into York's past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don't miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

We also have our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York - Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.

It would be great to see your old photos of York - and they don't have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, please email maxine.gordon@thepress.co.uk.

And if you have memories and photos of Terry's of York - send them straight to us via the 'send now' button below!