THE LAST TIME A BOTTLE OVEN WAS FIRED in the Potteries
The Last Bottle Oven Firing, August 1978. The oven was kindled on 29 August, now known as Potteries Bottle Oven Day.
The traditional and time-honoured skills of firing the oven were recorded. The event was organised by Gladstone Pottery Museum, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.
For more details follow this link to the Last Bottle Oven Firing site>
The traditional and time-honoured skills of firing the oven were recorded. The event was organised by Gladstone Pottery Museum, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent.
For more details follow this link to the Last Bottle Oven Firing site>
For three centuries, Staffordshire pottery has been coal fired in hundreds of bottle ovens. Since the Second World War, they have been replaced by cleaner, gas, oil or electric kilns. The Gladstone Pottery Museum now preserves the sole surviving group of four majestic bottle ovens together with one small enamel bottle kiln. They will never be fired again. The Clean Air Acts, and their delicate condition prevent it.
But in August 1978, with around 12 tons of local coal, a group of increasingly elderly men who still possessed the stamina and the skills required, together with a massive team of (younger) volunteers and staff from Gladstone Pottery Museum, organised The Last Bottle Oven Firing.
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| Last Bottle Oven Firing – August 1978 Organised by Gladstone Pottery Museum, Longton Hudson and Middleton - Updraught skeleton type oven Normacot Road, Longton Photo: Unknown source |
This was the last firing, ever, of a traditional coal fired oven, in the traditional and time-honoured way, at the Sutherland Works of Hudson and Middleton (Longton) Ltd., near to Gladstone Pottery Museum, Longton. The whole process took 9 days - actually much longer than for a commercial oven firing. It was recorded on film for posterity.
The mastermind behind the project was David Sekers, the Museum Director at the time. The fireman responsible for the event was Alfred Clough, the local master potter and retired pottery manufacturer.
The Last Bottle Oven Firing was just part of the many and exciting years which make up The Gladstone Pottery Museum Story.
"The first time in 20 years. The last time in history
26 August to 3 September 1978.
A once and for all opportunity
to witness an important reminder of our local heritage."
David Sekers OBE, March 1977
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Alfred Clough and the Last Bottle Oven Firing
In October 1978, Alfred Clough, the Fireman responsible for the firing, presented a talk about the event to the British Ceramic Society. An audio record was made of the talk. This has lain dormant for almost 40 years. But it has been edited, and together with still images of the Last Bottle Oven Firing, this 20 minute movie has been created.WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST BOTTLE OVEN FIRING?
From a contemporary report by Pam BottThe Last Bottle Oven Firing in the Potteries began on Saturday 26 August 1978. But, for the organising committee, preparations began many months before.
As the location of the bottle oven is in a working factory, Hudson & Middleton (Longton) Ltd., extra precautions had to be taken to prevent any dirt and dust from spreading to the production area during the cleaning up period. A great deal of pigeon droppings had to be removed (the exact tonnage has not yet been worked out!) Volunteer members of the committee and people from the local Detention Centre worked several weekends cleaning the oven and the area around it, repairing various parts of it, and erecting screens to protect the factory area.
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Last Bottle Oven Firing 1978 The updraught skeleton-type bottle oven at the works of Hudson and Middleton |
Meetings with the placers were arranged and volunteer recruitment was organised. Last minute work at 10 pm on Friday August 25th 1978, at the firing site, included erecting barriers and displays, painting the shelters for the turnstile attendants and putting up notices and directions.
Twelve hours later the public were streaming in and for many people a week of nostalgia began. It is interesting to note that during the firing more local people visited us than on any other occasion.
The placers, none of whom had met or worked together before, merged into a well-organised team in less than an hour. The placing of the oven was spread over three days and apart from a few minor hitches everything went according to plan and the oven was filled late on Monday afternoon. A cheer went up and the team of men, who had been laughing and joking throughout the three days finished the day off with a song.
On Tuesday morning the clammins was built by local bricklayer, Billy Ryan, and after a slight delay the fires were ready to be lit.
It was left to members of the committee to light a fire each, starting with Pam Bott and ending with fireman Mr. Alfred Clough's grandson, Alistair.
Black smoke once more belched out over Longton much to the excitement and appreciation of all those present.
The responsibility of the night firing was taken by fireman (the sitter up) Jack Hill who had a team of energetic volunteers who did all the baiting. There were a few people who gathered to stay up throughout the night but most of them did not manage to keep awake for long.
One of the debatable points of the week was whether the band of people gathered around the oven at 6 am on Wednesday morning were there out of sheer enthusiasm or just to sample the bacon which was cooked on a shovel over the fires. The smell was delicious and the sizzling so spectacular-that it has been recorded by the BBC sound archives!
Shifts changed over on Wednesday morning and Mr. Clough took over once more. After several baitings throughout the day and the taking of trials the firing was announced to be finished at 8 pm on Wednesday night.
For the next two hours nothing was done to the oven at all. The fires were left to gradually burn out. At about 10 pm the clammins was brought down. A brilliant glowing orange was revealed. The breaking down of the clammins proved to be the most spectacular part of the firing not only for the excitement as everyone waited to see inside but also because we had forgotten to check if there was anything inflammable nearby with the result that several cables melted causing temporary loss of light.
For the next two days the oven was left to cool, even so there was still some warmth left in the firemouths on Saturday morning. The ware was drawn from the oven, the majority of it having fired perfectly. At 4pm on Saturday September 2nd the cycle of firing was complete.
Throughout the week a film of events was taken for the museum by the University of Aston; a film was made by the local education authority; slide photos were taken by several of our volunteers and a complete log of events was tape recorded by volunteer Terry Woolliscroft. The films will not be shown until sometime next year but there will be post card style pictures of the event at the museum shortly.
The ware from the oven was put on sale two weeks after the firing and resulted in large queues forming with some customers even camping out the previous night. The response has been fantastic but there is still a few pieces left and a mail order catalogue is available from the museum.
After the firing the whole Hudson and Middleton factory had to be cleaned. It was hoovered from top to bottom, even the bottle oven!”
Pam Bott, Jan 1979
A History of the Company produced in a leaflet handed to visitors to the Last Bottle Oven Firing.
For over 140 years now, (in 1978) pottery has been manufactured at Sutherland Works. Normacot Road, Longton. At one time it consisted of two factories, one making earthenware and one producing bone china, the two separate entrance—arches still being evident.
Records indicate Skelson and Plant as the first owners, probably starting business around 1834, at about the same time as the firm of Taylor, Middleton and Hudson, who, it is thought, occupied three separate factories in nearby streets. In the 1880s this firm became known as Middleton and Hudson, and records exist of their backstamps for the period.
In 1892, Wm. Hudson and & Co. and J. Middleton & Co. came into being and Wm. Hudson & Co. moved into Sutherland Works using Sutherland China and later Royal Sutherland for their backstamps. J. Middleton & Co. occupied premises in Chelson Street nearby and were well known for their Delphine trademark.
In the wartime conditions of 1941, the firms came together again as Hudson & Middleton Ltd. and traded through to 1975 with the Barlows and Chapmans, descendants of the original families, prominent in the direction of the company’s affairs.
In 1975 a new company was formed, Hudson & Middleton (Longton) Ltd. to continue in a more restricted range, lines traditional to the old company. Hudson & Middleton (Longton) Ltd. is in every sense a family business, with four members of the Fairweather family actively involved in its day to day running. Royal Kendal and Delphine trademarks predominate today with exports to Europe and North America of considerable importance to the business.
Twelve hours later the public were streaming in and for many people a week of nostalgia began. It is interesting to note that during the firing more local people visited us than on any other occasion.
The placers, none of whom had met or worked together before, merged into a well-organised team in less than an hour. The placing of the oven was spread over three days and apart from a few minor hitches everything went according to plan and the oven was filled late on Monday afternoon. A cheer went up and the team of men, who had been laughing and joking throughout the three days finished the day off with a song.
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Last Bottle Oven Firing 1978 Photos: Ken Davis |
On Tuesday morning the clammins was built by local bricklayer, Billy Ryan, and after a slight delay the fires were ready to be lit.
 |
| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Last Bottle Oven Firing 1978 Billy Ryan building the clammins Photo: Staffordshire Past Track here> |
It was left to members of the committee to light a fire each, starting with Pam Bott and ending with fireman Mr. Alfred Clough's grandson, Alistair.
Black smoke once more belched out over Longton much to the excitement and appreciation of all those present.
The responsibility of the night firing was taken by fireman (the sitter up) Jack Hill who had a team of energetic volunteers who did all the baiting. There were a few people who gathered to stay up throughout the night but most of them did not manage to keep awake for long.
 |
| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Last Bottle Oven Firing 1978 |
One of the debatable points of the week was whether the band of people gathered around the oven at 6 am on Wednesday morning were there out of sheer enthusiasm or just to sample the bacon which was cooked on a shovel over the fires. The smell was delicious and the sizzling so spectacular-that it has been recorded by the BBC sound archives!
 |
| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Last Bottle Oven Firing 1978 Les Dennis, volunteer, cooks breakfast on a British Standard No.8 shovel Notice the heat in the oven - well advanced |
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum - Last Bottle Oven Firing 1978 Dr Francis Celoria has a go cooking his bacon on a shovel! |
Shifts changed over on Wednesday morning and Mr. Clough took over once more. After several baitings throughout the day and the taking of trials the firing was announced to be finished at 8 pm on Wednesday night.
For the next two hours nothing was done to the oven at all. The fires were left to gradually burn out. At about 10 pm the clammins was brought down. A brilliant glowing orange was revealed. The breaking down of the clammins proved to be the most spectacular part of the firing not only for the excitement as everyone waited to see inside but also because we had forgotten to check if there was anything inflammable nearby with the result that several cables melted causing temporary loss of light.
For the next two days the oven was left to cool, even so there was still some warmth left in the firemouths on Saturday morning. The ware was drawn from the oven, the majority of it having fired perfectly. At 4pm on Saturday September 2nd the cycle of firing was complete.
Throughout the week a film of events was taken for the museum by the University of Aston; a film was made by the local education authority; slide photos were taken by several of our volunteers and a complete log of events was tape recorded by volunteer Terry Woolliscroft. The films will not be shown until sometime next year but there will be post card style pictures of the event at the museum shortly.
The ware from the oven was put on sale two weeks after the firing and resulted in large queues forming with some customers even camping out the previous night. The response has been fantastic but there is still a few pieces left and a mail order catalogue is available from the museum.
After the firing the whole Hudson and Middleton factory had to be cleaned. It was hoovered from top to bottom, even the bottle oven!”
Pam Bott, Jan 1979
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum Story - Last Bottle Oven Firing 1978 Volunteers take a tea break! Paul Niblett (oddman), Jack Hill (sitter up), Arthur Turner (placer) and Fred Greasley (oddman) Photo: Courtesy The Sentinel Date: August 1978 |
WHERE WAS THE LAST BOTTLE OVEN FIRED IN THE POTTERIES?
Hudson and Middleton (Longton) Ltd, Sutherland Works, Normacot Road, LongtonA History of the Company produced in a leaflet handed to visitors to the Last Bottle Oven Firing.
For over 140 years now, (in 1978) pottery has been manufactured at Sutherland Works. Normacot Road, Longton. At one time it consisted of two factories, one making earthenware and one producing bone china, the two separate entrance—arches still being evident.
Records indicate Skelson and Plant as the first owners, probably starting business around 1834, at about the same time as the firm of Taylor, Middleton and Hudson, who, it is thought, occupied three separate factories in nearby streets. In the 1880s this firm became known as Middleton and Hudson, and records exist of their backstamps for the period.
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| Hudson and Middleton from St James Church Tower Thanks to Phil Rowley for help in sourcing this image Date: 1910 |
In 1892, Wm. Hudson and & Co. and J. Middleton & Co. came into being and Wm. Hudson & Co. moved into Sutherland Works using Sutherland China and later Royal Sutherland for their backstamps. J. Middleton & Co. occupied premises in Chelson Street nearby and were well known for their Delphine trademark.
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| Site of the Last Bottle Oven Firing - 1978 The actual oven is the one in the centre of the image Hudson and Middleton (Longton) Ltd., Sutherland Works, Normacot Road, Longton Photo: Brian Colclough. Taken from St. James Church tower, Uttoxeter Road, Longton |
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| Last Bottle Oven to fired in the Potteries, on the left Recreation Ground, Florence, Longton Photo: Source unknown Date: 1978 |
In 1975 a new company was formed, Hudson & Middleton (Longton) Ltd. to continue in a more restricted range, lines traditional to the old company. Hudson & Middleton (Longton) Ltd. is in every sense a family business, with four members of the Fairweather family actively involved in its day to day running. Royal Kendal and Delphine trademarks predominate today with exports to Europe and North America of considerable importance to the business.
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| Last Bottle Oven Firing 1978 Photo: courtesy of Phil Rowley, original source unknown |
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| Cartoon from The Evening Sentinel 1978 |
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| Hudson and Middleton, Normacot Road, site of the Last Bottle Oven Firing Drawing by John Hemmer 1978 |
The Timetable of the Firing
Placing, cooling and drawing was much longer than usual in a commercial firing so that visitors could witness the processSat 26 August 1978 - Open for visitors
Placing - ware into saggars. Saggars into oven.
Sun 27 August 1978
Placing - Ware into saggars. Saggars into oven. Placing flatware.
Mon 28 August 1978
Placing - Ware into saggars. Saggars into oven. Placing flatware.
Tues 29 August 1978
Morning - brick up the clammins and lumping firemouths
Lunchtime (dinner time) - light the fires - baiting
Afternoon - firing proper
Weds 30 August 1978
Morning and afternoon - Firing proper - Taking trials - Bullers Rings
Evening, after tea - draw more trial rings. If OK, break clammins at 8pm for fast cool 'to get a good shine on the glaze'
Thurs 31 August 1978
Cooling
Fri 1 Sept 1978
Cooling
Sat 2 Sept 1978
Drawing
Sun 3 Sept 1978
Tidy up
Sun 10 Sept 1978
Sale of pots in Gladstone's cobbled yard
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| "It ain't gonna smoke no mo, no mo, it ain't gonna smoke no more!" Alfred Clough (1975-1984), Fireman and Paul Niblett, Oddman |
The Last Bottle Oven Firing Video 1978
PotbankThe Last Bottle Oven Firing was recorded on film by University Of Aston in Birmingham. The film documents the last bottle oven firing at the Hudson and Middleton Works, Longton, organised by Gladstone Pottery Museum. Written and directed by Jennifer Tann. Duration: 00:31:00.
The film begins with a brief introduction to the Potteries and a short history of the growth in pottery manufacture in the area. The composition and layout of potbanks is also described. A sequence shows the exterior of the Gladstone Pottery Museum and moves on to look at a modern pottery factory and then there is a sequence showing the older pottery making methods. This is followed by a demonstration of the making of a saggar; a fireclay box used to hold the pottery in the oven. Next there are scenes of people using various techniques to decorate pottery. After this the pottery is placed in a specific way in the saggars. placers then carry the saggars on their heads into the oven where they are stacked in bungs. The commentary gives a detailed description of the anatomy of the bottle oven and also the way in which the ovens were kindled, baited and the temperatures controlled. The final scenes show the oven being unloaded.
Availability
Copies of the full film are available on DVD direct from Gladstone Pottery Museum
The film is lodged with these organisations:
MACE -http://www.macearchive.org/Archive/Title/potbank/MediaEntry/51983.html
BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE -
http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6dcc9fa7
BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE -
http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6dcc9fa7
A copy is also available to view on YouTube here
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Products from The Last Bottle Oven Firing
The Mail Order CatalogueTwo weeks after the event, Gladstone's cobbled yard was transformed into a huge sales area. Products from the Last Bottle Oven Firing, together with saggars, special editions and other souvenir ware was offered for sale to the public.
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| Last Bottle Oven Firing - Sales of pots from the oven in Gladstone Pottery Museum cobbled yard 1978 |
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| Limited edition tyg from The Last Bottle Oven Firing - Original price £28 Photos: Jessica Davies |
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| Gladstone Pottery Museum Story - Last Bottle Oven Firing Alfred Clough, kiln fireman, with wares from oven Photo: Courtesy Evening Sentinel 2 September 1978 |
Following the sale, the remaining goods were offered via a Mail Order Catalogue. Here it is :
ALFRED CLOUGH - MASTER POTTER
The fireman responsible for the Last Bottle Oven Firing was Alfred Clough, the local master potter and retired pottery manufacturer. more here>
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| Obituary Alfred Clough 4th July 1984 Clipping courtesy - Evening Sentinel |
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