Burslem, one of the six towns making up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It includes the areas of Middleport, Longport, Westport, Dalehall, Trubshaw Cross and Brownhills. Burslem is often referred to as the ‘Mother Town’ owing to its important role in the rise of the pottery industry.
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| Ivy House published in The Art Journal, 1864 |
The town was recorded in the Domesday survey as 'wasteland' but it is located on natural deposits of ironstone, clay, and coal - the essential raw materials for making pottery. By the end of the 17th century, Burslem was the country's leading supplier of pottery.
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| Brick House Works (Bell Works) The Brick House Works, known as the 'Bell Works' after Josiah Wedgwood installed a bell to call his potters to work. |
In 1710 there were 35 potbanks in Burslem, and it was very much a town, compared with Hanley and Stoke which were still villages. Leading potters began building houses and potbanks which reflected their prestige. Most notable was the Big House, built by the brothers Thomas and John Wedgwood in 1751 on the corner of Wedgwood Street and Chapel Bank. Most spectacular was the Fountain Place Works built for Enoch Wood in 1789, a gothic extravaganza between Hall Street and Packhorse Lane. During the 19th century, Burslem continued to grow as more potbanks were built.
Bottle ovens still standing? Page down or click here>
BOTTLE OVENS LONG SINCE GONE
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| A View of The Potteries at Burslem Postcard Source: unknown |
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| Alcock Lindley and Bloore Ascot Pottery, on the corner of Overhouse Street and Scotia Road. Established in 1919. Acquired by Allied English Pottery Group in 1959 Mainly produced teapots Photo: source unknown Date: 1950 |
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| Crown Works in Steventon Place in the centre of the photo Photo by Sid Meir, courtesy Ian Mood Date: c1970 |
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| Crown Works on the right behind the New Inn and on the left is Royal Pottery (Hill Pottery) from Market Square Photo: unknown source Date: 1900 |
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| Crown Works, Steventon Place Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: Operation Bottle, February 1976 more here> |
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| Crown Works, Steventon Place. The plan didn't come to fruition and the oven disappeared Article: courtesy The Evening Sentinel Date: 1980 |
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| Steventon Place, J. Steventon and Sons Pottery Bottle ovens and mineral stores. Photo: Bert Bentley Date: 1960s |
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| Pack Horse Lane. The old road to Newcastle-under-Lyme. Photo: unknown source Date: Unknown |
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| Maddocks Pottery | Photo: unknown source Date: Unknown |
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| Dalehall Works Photo: Courtesy Staffordshire Past Track |
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| Wade Heath The Sytch, back view Photo: source unknown Date: unknown |
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| Middleport A J Wilkinson Ltd Wilkinson’s Pottery (Clarice Cliff) Shot taken from the window of the showroom showing the turret over the lodge and some ovens Photo: The Sphere Magazine, Daily Herald Archive Date: 1930-35 |
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| Acme Marls, Bournes Bank The oven on the left has now gone but the three ovens on the right remain and were still in use in 1976 fired with oil Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: May 1975 |
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| Acme Marls, Bournes Bank with St John's Churchyard Photo: source unknown Date: around 1960 |
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| Acme Marls, Bournes Bank The 3 perfectly conical ovens remain standing (2019) Photo: source unknown Date: around 1960 |
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| Cobridge Moorcroft, Sandbach Road The two glost ovens on the left were demolished in 1956 The biscuit oven on the right still stands and open to the public https://www.moorcroft.com/museum |
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| Cobridge Moorcroft, Sandbach Road |
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| A G Richardson & Co Ltd Crown Ducal Britannia Works, North Road, Cobridge Photo: Bert Bentley Date: 1960s |
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| Globe Pottery Cobridge 'Little Sisters of the Poor' behind. Far distance is Shelton Bar (now Festival Park) Photo: source unknown. Date: unknown |
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| Looking towards Cobridge from Hanley Little Sisters of the Poor, on the hill Photo: source unknown. Date: unknown |
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| Looking towards Burslem, from Middleport Photo: source unknown Date: unknown |
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| At the top of Scotia Road Photo: source unknown Date: unknown |
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| Burslem Photo: source unknown Date: 1930s |
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| Burgess and Leigh, Burleigh Ware Factory Middleport Photo: source unknown Date: early 1960s |
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| Burgess and Leigh, Burleigh Ware Factory Middleport Photo: source unknown Date: early 1960s |
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| Burgess and Leigh, Burleigh Ware Factory Middleport Pottery bottle ovens and smoke Photo: source unknown Date: early 1960s |
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| Middleport Pottery from the air Middleport Photo: source unknown Date: unknown, maybe 1940s |
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| Prices National Teapots, Top Bridge Works Longport, Trubshaw Cross Bottle oven on right of the two has been demolished. Updraught ovens Photo: source unknown but maybe Bert Bentley Date: April 1964 |
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| Prices National Teapots, Top Bridge Works Longport, Trubshaw Cross Bottle oven on left of the two has been demolished It was an updraught oven Photo: source unknown Date: mid 1960s |
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| Wood's Trent New Works Photo: source unknown Date: unknown |
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| Sneyd pipe works Near the loop line railway bridge, just off Hot Lane. Photo: Bert Bentley Date: 1960s |
BOTTLE OVENS and KILNS STILL STANDING, COMPLETE WITH THEIR CHIMNEYS
Moorland Pottery, Moorland Road, ST6 1DY
[1a] Location* : what3words.com/items.beyond.corn
This Victorian factory, founded c1888 and called the Chelsea Works, boasts the only surviving four-chambered muffle kiln in the world. The kiln was built sometime between 1924 and 1930. It has been used to fire tiles and decorated pottery.
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| Moorland Pottery Photo: By courtesy of Phil Crow ABIPP ARPS Date: May 2023 |
MOORLAND POTTERY
The potbank is now renowned for producing regionally-themed mugs, coasters and tea pots. It specialises in 'Stokie Ware' for the local area.
STUDIO SZEILER
In May 1973 Mr. Joseph Szeiler, a Hungarian, bought the works for £7000. His 'Studio Szeiler' produced tableware and giftware but specialised in animal figures which were modelled by himself. Mr. Szeiler died in 1980.
SUSIE COOPER
Susie Cooper, the renowned ceramic designer, moved to this Chelsea Works in March 1930, and decorated bought-in white ware from Doulton, Grimwades, WH Grindley, and Wood and Sons.
Her production reflected the tastes of the times with bright florals, and geometric and modernist designs in bold hand painted colours. She would have used this muffle kiln to fire her decorated pottery. The fireman was Jack Shufflebotham. She moved to a bigger factory, not far away, in August 1931.
MORE ABOUT THE KILN
Chelsea Works boasts the only surviving 4-chambered, double-deck (2 up, 2 down) muffle kiln.
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The deed described the kiln as "a pair of four-mouth, double-deck kilns which had originally been designed for firing tiles, and the lessor (Doulton) agreed to "alter both bottom kilns to make them suitable for enamel firing, it being recognised by the lessees that there will inevitably be a small difference in temperature between the top and bottom heats, one of such kilns to be altered before the signing hereof and one kiln to be altered after the commencement of the term hereby granted, the decision as to whether such alteration has been satisfactorily carried out to be left to the arbitration of Mr Bernard Moore, whose decision shall be final conclusive and binding on all parties."
The kiln was therefore built sometime before 1930, probably 1924-1930. It is technically complex with a latticework of flues emanating from eight firemouths (only four currently visible) carrying the hot combustion gases from the blazing coal to the muffled firing chambers. The firemouths are of the 'hob mouthed' type.
The firing chambers were built using specially shaped, refractory bricks manufactured in Scotland. These bricks, with their 'THISTLE' branding impressed into the clay, were manufactured by Stein, at their Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, North Lanarkshire.
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| Thistle brand bricks Specially shaped bricks used in construction of the firing chambers Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July 2019 |
These technically-advanced silicon carbide refractory muffle bricks gave much better heat transfer and longer life than the usual fireclay blocks. The bricks were produced with 'tongue and groove' moulding on their edges to assist in construction and to help maintain clean air conditions within the muffle chambers. Many thanks go to Mark Cranston of scottishbrickhistory.co.uk for information about these Thistle bricks.
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| Moorland Pottery, Chelsea Works Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: May 2019 |
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| Moorland Pottery, Chelsea Works L: the kiln from the yard R: inside one of the four firing chambers Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July 2019 |
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| Cross section through 4-chambered muffle kiln Drawing: Andy Perkin, Potteries Heritage Society, 2023 more details about the kiln here> |
Birds eye view of the yard
Created for Ceramic Heritage Action Zone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMt5RcxI3XU&feature=emb_logo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMt5RcxI3XU&feature=emb_logo
Date: 2019
The muffle kiln was surveyed in 1975/6 as part 'OPERATION BOTTLE', the survey of the remaining bottle ovens of the Potteries. (More here)
Middleport Pottery, Burgess and Leigh, Port Street, ST6 3PE
[5a] Location* : what3words.com/highs.puppy.belt
Middleport Pottery was built in 1888 by Burgess & Leigh Ltd. - its founders were Frederick Rathbone Burgess and William Leigh.
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| The bottle ovenMiddleport Pottery Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: Aug 2019 |
At the time of its construction the factory was described as a 'model pottery' of the Staffordshire pottery industry. It was designed to make all production processes more efficient and to improve conditions for the workforce. Finished pottery was loaded (using the crane next to the packing house) straight onto barges on the Trent and Mersey Canal to take the pots north, to the coast, for export. The pottery still manufactures Burleigh Ware. https://www.middleportpottery.org/ Now owned by UK Historic Buildings Preservation Trust, renamed 'Re-form' in 2018.
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| Middleport Pottery, home of Burgess and Leigh Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: December 2015 |
The large freestanding updraught hovel oven is believed to have been built in 1888-93, when the factory was built. It was originally one of 7 (3 biscuit, 4 glost) originally on the site. This is a biscuit oven with 11 firemouths in its firing chamber of 18 feet 6 inches internal diameter. According to Zoe Sutherland (Ceramic Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, 2021) the oven has more firemouths than any other bottle oven remaining in the Potteries.
More about Middleport Pottery
There is only one pottery factory in the world still using the tissue transfer technique to decorate its ware - and it's here in Stoke-on-Trent. And in that one factory - Middleport-based Burleigh - there are just 12 people with the skills to do it, although they would like to train up more young people to continue with the craft.
2024
To combat excessive growth of weeds in the external structure of the bottle oven at Middleport Pottery, the specialist firm, Orb Rope Access, was engaged to remove the vegetation.
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| Middleport Pottery removal of vegetation Photo: By courtesy of Phil Crow ABIPP ARPS Date: February 2024 |
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| Middleport Pottery removal of vegetation Photo: By courtesy of Phil Crow ABIPP ARPS Date: February 2024 |
Furlong Mills, Furlong Lane, ST6 3LE
[3a,b] Location* : what3words.com/clip.magic.react
"Established in 1842, enlarged in 1913, Furlong Mills Ltd., has become one the UK’s leading mineral processing companies. Sustained through a continuous investment programme in people, plant and machinery the company is able to meet the current and future demands of the ceramic industry." Furlong Lane, Burslem, ST6 3LE. https://www.furlongmills.co.uk/
Flint calcining kilns built between 1900 and 1924
Two flint calcining kilns complete with their chimneys still stand (in 2023). In 1975 the kilns were surveyed under "Operation Bottle". These are some of the findings written in the report of the time.
"These particular ones are certainly over 60 years old [in 1975] but we were unable to find anyone who knew the actual date of construction. Since they were built they have undergone two modifications. Firstly there has been an extension to the stack which we understand was originally some 12 feet lower. This may have been partly connected with a change of fuel from coal to coke but more likely was undertaken purely for social reasons. This work was carried out shortly after the First World War. Originally the upper loading doors were much smaller and these have been considerably widened to allow for more mechanical loading.
The [kilns] are in constant use and at the time we called we were able to see one which was being unloaded having completed its cycle whilst the other was firing. As previously mentioned these now work on coke which is mixed with the flints. It is believed that at present the coke originates from Shelton. When fully loaded each of these kilns takes 33 tons of flint and it takes 15 cwt of coke to fire this with a little bit of wood being used for the initial firing. Also during firing a steady draught through the firemouths is maintained by a blower regulated to give a slightly reduced draught during the initial lighting period.
It takes 39 hours to fire a full charge and firing commences at 5.00 pm on Day 1 and firing ceases and unloading begins at 8.00am on Day 3. The temperature during firing is about 950c."
The kilns stand 42 feet high, well below the minimum 60 feet specified by the regulations of 1877.
Acme Marls, Bournes Bank. ST6 3DW
[2a,b,c] Location* : what3words.com/brief.descended.terms
Unique in the Potteries, and probably in the world, these are three Wilkinson-type downdraught, bottle ovens. Originally built in about 1900, though the present structures are 1937-47. Freestanding circular chimneys to downdraught ovens. Originally surrounded by buildings and workshops.
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| Furlong Mills, Furlong Lane Flint calcining kilns Photo by Sid Meir, courtesy Ian Mood Date: c1970 |
Two flint calcining kilns complete with their chimneys still stand (in 2023). In 1975 the kilns were surveyed under "Operation Bottle". These are some of the findings written in the report of the time.
"These particular ones are certainly over 60 years old [in 1975] but we were unable to find anyone who knew the actual date of construction. Since they were built they have undergone two modifications. Firstly there has been an extension to the stack which we understand was originally some 12 feet lower. This may have been partly connected with a change of fuel from coal to coke but more likely was undertaken purely for social reasons. This work was carried out shortly after the First World War. Originally the upper loading doors were much smaller and these have been considerably widened to allow for more mechanical loading.
The [kilns] are in constant use and at the time we called we were able to see one which was being unloaded having completed its cycle whilst the other was firing. As previously mentioned these now work on coke which is mixed with the flints. It is believed that at present the coke originates from Shelton. When fully loaded each of these kilns takes 33 tons of flint and it takes 15 cwt of coke to fire this with a little bit of wood being used for the initial firing. Also during firing a steady draught through the firemouths is maintained by a blower regulated to give a slightly reduced draught during the initial lighting period.
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| Furlong Mills bottle kiln cross section Photo: courtesy Furlong Mills Date received: Aug 2019 |
It takes 39 hours to fire a full charge and firing commences at 5.00 pm on Day 1 and firing ceases and unloading begins at 8.00am on Day 3. The temperature during firing is about 950c."
The kilns stand 42 feet high, well below the minimum 60 feet specified by the regulations of 1877.
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| Furlong Mills, Furlong Lane Flint calcining kilns Photo: courtesy Andy Perkin, Potteries Heritage Society Date: July 2019 |
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| Furlong Mills, Furlong Lane Photo: Courtesy of Philip Shallcross Collection Date: Aug 2019 |
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| Furlong Mills, Furlong Lane Painting, acrylic on canvas Terry Woolliscroft 2023 |
Acme Marls, Bournes Bank. ST6 3DW
[2a,b,c] Location* : what3words.com/brief.descended.terms
Unique in the Potteries, and probably in the world, these are three Wilkinson-type downdraught, bottle ovens. Originally built in about 1900, though the present structures are 1937-47. Freestanding circular chimneys to downdraught ovens. Originally surrounded by buildings and workshops.
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens before renovation Photo: By courtesy of Phil Crow ABIPP ARPS Date: September 2023 |
According to Zoe Sutherland in 2021 (Ceramic Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, Stoke-on-Trent City Council) the remaining bottle ovens here could be candidates for some of the newest ovens in the Potteries. The southernmost oven at Bournes Bank was built at some point between 1950 and 1963
This type of downdraught bottle oven was patented in 1890:
'A J WILKINSON DOWNDRAUGHT OVEN Ovens for Firing Pottery '
A J Wilkinson, Burslem
English Patent 4356, March 20th 1890
Type of bottle oven. Downdraught. Integral chimney.
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| Downdraught bottle oven with integral chimney Wilkinson Patent type as those at Acme Marls, Bournes Bank, Burslem Drawing: Terry Woolliscroft Collection |
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| Wilkinson Downdraught Oven Patent No.4356 March 20th 1890 |
2000
In July 2000, J & J Dyson PLC of Sheffield, acquired the entire issued share capital of Acme Marls Limited, the then privately owned kiln furniture manufacturing company, for £1.5 million (or £1.89 million). Acme Marls became part of Dyson's Thermal Technologies division.
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| From the Dyson Website Click on image to make it bigger and easier to read |
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| Acme Marls, Bournes Bank Source: unknown Date: 2000 |
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| Bottle Ovens at Bournes Bank Painting by Terry Woolliscroft Date: Feb 2024 From a photo taken in 2018 showing how overgrown the ovens had become during 40 years of neglect |
2018
In 2018 the entire site was purchased by a housing developer and planning permission was sought to build housing and community facilities.
2020
In July 2020 planning permission was given for the site to be developed for housing provided that the three bottle ovens were restored. Stoke-on-Trent City Council gave the green light to the proposals to build 43 properties. The development, includes the three rare bottle kilns, known as the Three Sisters, which will be repaired and restored as part of the proposals. "The scheme will help fund the conservation and preservation of the Grade II-listed ‘Three Sisters’ bottle kilns. The applicant has provided details of works proposed to the kilns and will also create a management company and provide it with an annual dowry to manage and maintain the kilns. A service charge will be raised, similar to an annual ground rent, to help supplement the dowry to help towards future costs of conservation of the kilns and common area. For a two-bedroom property, it’s likely to be £125 per annum, and for a three-bedroom property £150 per annum."
2021
November 2021 - work on clearing the site begins. Accumulated rubbish, fly tipping and years of natural growth is removed.
2023
January 2023 - no progress. Site remains derelict.
Autumn 2023 - work begins on refurbishing the ovens. Specialist scaffolding is erected.
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation begins First scaffolding being erected Photo: By courtesy of Phil Crow ABIPP ARPS Date: October 2023 |
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation Photo: By courtesy of Phil Crow ABIPP ARPS Date: November 2023 |
2024
February - Rafferty Specialist Access Services Ltd make good progress in accessing and repairing the brickwork, cast iron and steel work on the three bottle ovens. Renovation photos below by Pete Stonier, press photographer.
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation Specialist scaffolding around all three ovens Photo: By courtesy of Pete Stonier Date: February 2024 |
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation Renovated cast iron and remade steel bonts at the wicket Photo: By courtesy of Pete Stonier Date: February 2024 |
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation Relaid brickwork at the top of one of the stacks Photo: By courtesy of Pete Stonier Date: February 2024 |
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation Sack cloth protects recent pointing, as it sets, from bad weather Photo: By courtesy of Pete Stonier Date: February 2024 |
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation The start of scaffolding being taken down Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: 17 March 2024 |
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation More scaffolding comes down Photo: By courtesy of Jonathan Goodwin Date: 05 April 2024 |
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| Acme Marls bottle ovens renovation The lengths of curved metal on the ground are refurbished pipes which delivered oil to the firemouths during firing. (Ovens converted to oil after the Clean Air Act of 1956) They are to be reattached around the base of the oven. Photo: By courtesy of Jonathan Goodwin Date: 05 April 2024 |
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More images of the ovens before renovation commenced
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| Acme Marls, Bournes Bank, with St.Johns Church Photo by Sid Meir, courtesy Ian Mood Date: c1970 |
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| Acme Marls, Bournes Bank Photo: unknown source Date: unknown These stack type Wilkinson downdraught bottle ovens were numbered 6, 7 and 8. Patented by A J Wilkinson. British Patent 4356, 20 March 1890. They were oil fired, and last fired in July/August 1976 more here> |
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| Formerly Acme Marls, Bournes Bank Photo: Operation Bottle, Bottle Oven Survey, Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date:1975 |
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| Formerly Acme Marls, Bournes Bank Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: December 2015 |
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| Formerly Acme Marls, Bournes Bank Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July 1976 |
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| Formerly Acme Marls, Bournes Bank Photos: Courtesy of Andy Shardlow Date: June 2016 |
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| Formerly Acme Marls, Bournes Bank Photos: Courtesy of Andy Shardlow Date: June 2016 |
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| Downdraught bottle ovens at Bournes Bank Formerly Acme Marls Ltd. Photo: Courtesy of Philip Shallcross Collection Date: Feb 2019 |
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| Downdraught bottle ovens at Bournes Bank Formerly Acme Marls Ltd. Photo: Courtesy of Dave Proudlove @fslconsult Date: 2018 |
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| Downdraught bottle ovens at Bournes Bank Formerly Acme Marls Ltd Photo: source unknown Date: unknown |
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| Products from Acme Marls Ltd |
Six bottle ovens were known to have existed on the site. The remaining three were fired using oil as their fuel (converted after the Clean Air Act of 1956). The last time one was fired was in 1977, when the factory was owned by Acme Marls Ltd. The final temperature reached was around 1400C - much higher than for domestic pottery.
The products being fired were refractory 'bats' or kiln furniture, used in the ceramics industry - refractory shelving for use in modern tunnel or intermittent kilns.
Oven 'No.7' was fired in October 1977 before manufacture was transferred to its new site at Scotia Road, Tunstall. A ceremonial flaming torch was taken from the fire in oven No.7 to the new gas kiln at the new site.
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| Placing the No.7 Oven at Acme Marls Photo: Courtesy The Evening Sentinel Date: 1977 |
The YouTube movie below shows the penultimate commercial bottle oven firing in the Potteries. It took place in the summer of 1976. This small selection of photos was taken at the event.
Price & Kensington, Newcastle Street, Longport, ST6 4LR
[4a] Location* : what3words.com/slide.groups.super
Earthenware manufacturer at the Top Bridge Works, Longport, Burslem. Company founded in January 1962 from an amalgamation of Price Bros. (Burslem) Ltd and Kensington Pottery Ltd. Manufacturing ceased 2002. http://thepotteries.org/photos/price/index.htm Price & Kensington, along with the Spode factory in Stoke, is the earliest surviving example of a fire proofed building construction in the pottery industry. The remaining bottle oven is a freestanding, updraught hovel oven.
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| Acme Marls, Burslem, July/August 1976 Final temperature of close-on 1400C has been reached Thermocouple and block removed from the top of the clammins and the crown damper cracked open Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection more info here> |
Price & Kensington, Newcastle Street, Longport, ST6 4LR
[4a] Location* : what3words.com/slide.groups.super
Earthenware manufacturer at the Top Bridge Works, Longport, Burslem. Company founded in January 1962 from an amalgamation of Price Bros. (Burslem) Ltd and Kensington Pottery Ltd. Manufacturing ceased 2002. http://thepotteries.org/photos/price/index.htm Price & Kensington, along with the Spode factory in Stoke, is the earliest surviving example of a fire proofed building construction in the pottery industry. The remaining bottle oven is a freestanding, updraught hovel oven.
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| Price & Kensington Factory Top Bridge Works - Newcastle Street, Longport Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: Sept 2018 |
According to Zoe Sutherland (Ceramic Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, 2021) the remaining bottle oven at Price & Kensington could be the oldest in the Potteries. "Certainly a bottle oven is shown in this location on Hargreaves' 1832 map although it may well have been rebuilt wholly or in part."
Oliver's Mill, Newport Lane, ST6 3NJ
[7a,b] Location* : what3words.com/solve.tester.pencil
The site encompasses a range of buildings including the original mill, pair of calcining kilns, one with a rectangular stack and two chambers and the other with a bottle-shaped stack and one chamber, and stores.
Moorcroft, Sandbach Road, Cobridge, ST6 2DQ
[8a] Location* : what3words.com/congratulations.crew.thinks
The first pieces of fine art pottery from Moorcroft were created in 1897. Designed by William Moorcroft, a graduate of what is now the Royal College of Art in London, his new art pottery was very popular from the outset and stocked by such prestigious stores as Liberty of London, Harrods and Tiffany & Co. in New York.
https://www.moorcroft.com/
This remaining bottle oven (the one on the right in the image below) was restored in the early 2000s. Credit for its restoration goes to the Potteries Preservation Trust which the Potteries Heritage Society established in the 1990s. Funds were secured for the restoring this oven and nine others in the Potteries from the UK's National Lottery Heritage Fund, and Staffordshire Environmental Fund. The work was completed around 2003.
Text from the sign erected by Potteries Preservation Trust:
TOP BRIDGE WORKS SITE
"Grade II* listed pottery bottle oven. This is of the basic updraught type, built about 1830 and last fired in the early 1960s. An Ordnance Survey map of 1878 shows it to have been one of seven bottle ovens here.
The space between the outer hovel and the inner kiln provided room for coal, for the firemen to work protected from weather and ensured a good draught for the fire.
After completion of the adjacent Trent & Mersey Canal in 1777 Edward Bourne's was the first recorded pottery here in 1783*. By 1851 the much enlarged site had been acquired by the Davenport family who were described as being 'the largest earthenware and china manufacturers and exporters in the kingdom' and were granted a Royal Appointment. In the mid 1930s the nearby firm of Arthur Wood & Son expanded to acquire Price Brothers on this site and transferred to it the Kensington Pottery from Hanley. The works then became well known as Price & Kensington."
*now thought to be 1774
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Price & Kensington Factory Top Bridge Works - Newcastle Street, Longport The oven on the left no longer exists - it was an updraught hovel oven. Photo by Sid Meir, courtesy Ian Mood Date: c1970 |
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| Price & Kensington Factory Top Bridge Works - Newcastle Street, Longport Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: 1975 |
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| Price & Kensington Factory Top Bridge Works - Newcastle Street, Longport Images by courtesy of Phil Crow ABIPP ARPS Top photo by Ernest J D Warrillow, c1950 Bottom photo by Phil Crow, February 2023 Note the difference, in the shape of the bottle oven on the right, between the two photos. The top half of the hovel is thought to have been rebuilt in the early 1950s. |
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| Price & Kensington Factory Top Bridge Works - Newcastle Street, Longport Photo: Courtesy of Philip Shallcross Collection Date: March 2019 |
Oliver's Mill, Newport Lane, ST6 3NJ
[7a,b] Location* : what3words.com/solve.tester.pencil
The site encompasses a range of buildings including the original mill, pair of calcining kilns, one with a rectangular stack and two chambers and the other with a bottle-shaped stack and one chamber, and stores.
The flint mill was established by Oliver & Sons (Burslem) Ltd in 1909.
The kilns were adopted on a 99 year lease by The Staffordshire Pottery Industry Preservation Trust. The site is located at the end of Newport Lane in Middleport, approximately 1.5 miles west of Burslem town centre. The kilns were used for firing flint (prior to grinding and milling) which was added to the clay recipe to give better whiteness and strength.
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| Oliver's Mill, Newport Lane, Middleport Photo: source unknown Date: unknown |
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| Oliver's Mill, Newport Lane, Middleport Photo: unknown source Date: 1960s |
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| Oliver's Mill, Newport Lane, Middleport Photo: Julian Read Collection Date: April 2017 |
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| Oliver's Mill, Newport Lane, Middleport Photo: Courtesy Google |
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| Olivers Mill, Newport Lane, Middleport Photo: Andy Perkin, Potteries Heritage Society Date June 2019 |
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| Olivers Mill, Newport Lane, Middleport Looking up inside the rectangular kiln chimney Photo: Andy Perkin, Potteries Heritage Society Date June 2019 |
Three kilns exist on site. One bottle shaped called 'Jumbo' with a capacity of 30 tons of flint. The other two share one rectangular chimney and they are called 'Middle and Office'. The capacity is 24 tons of flint, each. Metal doors close each firing chamber. They worked on a 3 day firing cycle. The ovens were built by Oliver & Sons in 1909 and last used around 1964 when the Clean Air Act came into force.
Calcining Works, Middleport Mills, Milvale Street, ST6 3NT
[6a] Location* : what3words.com/noted.ruler.gravy
Former calcining works. Mainly late 19th Century. The kiln is rectangular, with two flues separated only at the apex. Two firing chambers.
Calcining Works, Middleport Mills, Milvale Street, ST6 3NT
[6a] Location* : what3words.com/noted.ruler.gravy
Former calcining works. Mainly late 19th Century. The kiln is rectangular, with two flues separated only at the apex. Two firing chambers.
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| Calcining Works, Milvale Street, Middleport Calcining kiln, two chambers Photo: Courtesy Google |
In 1907 this mill was Goodwin's Mill Co. (Middleport Mill) used for preparing flint, and other potters materials. Flint calcining kiln with two firing chambers. Alongside the Trent & Mersey Canal.
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| Calcining Works, Milvale Street, Middleport Calcining kiln, double chambered, within large rectangular structure. Photo: Pam Woolliscroft Collection Date: February 2022 |
Moorcroft, Sandbach Road, Cobridge, ST6 2DQ
[8a] Location* : what3words.com/congratulations.crew.thinks
The first pieces of fine art pottery from Moorcroft were created in 1897. Designed by William Moorcroft, a graduate of what is now the Royal College of Art in London, his new art pottery was very popular from the outset and stocked by such prestigious stores as Liberty of London, Harrods and Tiffany & Co. in New York.
https://www.moorcroft.com/
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| Moorcroft Sandbach Road, Cobridge Photo by Sid Meir, courtesy Ian Mood Date: c1970 |
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| Moorcroft Sandbach Road, Cobridge Photo: courtesy Julian Read Collection Date: April 2017 |
According to Zoe Sutherland in 2021 (Ceramic Heritage Action Zone Project Officer, Stoke-on-Trent City Council) the bottle oven here has the smallest firing chamber of all those in the Potteries at only 3.35m or 11 feet in diameter.
This small bottle oven is open to the public. It is in remarkably good condition and has obviously been well cared for. It is now a visitor attraction alongside the Moorcroft museum and shop.
This updraught, 'skeleton type', oven was built in 1919 as a biscuit oven - glost firing taking place in two similar ovens which were on site prior to their demolition in 1956. This oven was last fired in 1959. It stands 60ft high, with firing chamber diameter of approx 11ft and internal height to the shoulder of the crown approx 13ft.
The gap between the outer chimney and the inner firing chamber, found on all skeleton type ovens, is around 9" wide. The ironwork surrounding the tall wicket entrance is remarkably well constructed with 1" thick cast iron.
The gap between the outer chimney and the inner firing chamber, found on all skeleton type ovens, is around 9" wide. The ironwork surrounding the tall wicket entrance is remarkably well constructed with 1" thick cast iron.
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| Moorcroft Sandbach Road, Cobridge Wicket, bonts and 1" thick ironwork Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: June 2019 |
The oven has just six firemouths complete with their bags. Under the domed floor, flues connect the firemouths to the central well hole. Original bonts and firedoors remain in place. The regulator holes, spy holes and trial holes have no metal work attached to them.
The domed crown has a central crown damper and three quarter dampers, together with shoulder holes.
Inside the dimly and atmospheric firing chamber are examples of saggars and 'osses. Well worth a visit.
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| Moorcroft One of the six firemouths Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: June 2019 |
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| Moorcroft Looking up at the crown of the oven from, inside the firing chamber Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: June 2019 |
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| Moorcroft Bag, saggars and 'osses Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: June 2019 |