Saw this site whilst riding the historic Churnett Valley Steam Train one weekend, and returned a week later with Jr in tow.
the historic copper factory of Thomas Bolton and sons, now called Bolton Copper now stands mostly derelict (demolition in progress) but a substantial portion is still in use for the production of rotor bars and extruded section. The Thomas Bolton Copperworks at Froghall (and the closed works in the nearby village of Oakamoor) are famous for the world's first transatlantic telegraph cables, which were manufactured and rolled at the plants.
During the Second World War the factories made wiring components for Spitfire fighter planes. The Copper works are the Staffordshire Moorlands' last link to the historic copper-mining industry that was centered on the nearby Manifold Valley and its famous Ecton Copper Mines.
WE had a brief encounter with a rather helpful security guard, who was happy for us to be there to take pics and even pointed out the cctv cameras. Nice chap!
Overall an interesting site though very hazardous in places (underground water tanks with missing covers and some sections of corrugated sheeting on the roof dangling by a rivet or two and gently swaying in the breeze).
the historic copper factory of Thomas Bolton and sons, now called Bolton Copper now stands mostly derelict (demolition in progress) but a substantial portion is still in use for the production of rotor bars and extruded section. The Thomas Bolton Copperworks at Froghall (and the closed works in the nearby village of Oakamoor) are famous for the world's first transatlantic telegraph cables, which were manufactured and rolled at the plants.
During the Second World War the factories made wiring components for Spitfire fighter planes. The Copper works are the Staffordshire Moorlands' last link to the historic copper-mining industry that was centered on the nearby Manifold Valley and its famous Ecton Copper Mines.
WE had a brief encounter with a rather helpful security guard, who was happy for us to be there to take pics and even pointed out the cctv cameras. Nice chap!
Overall an interesting site though very hazardous in places (underground water tanks with missing covers and some sections of corrugated sheeting on the roof dangling by a rivet or two and gently swaying in the breeze).