East Warwickshire lies on a particularly soft type of limestone called Lias, which has been quarried for many years, primarily for the making of cement.
Stockton Cement works were owned by Charles Nelson of Warwick and produced high quality Portland type cement, much of which was shipped by canal or rail to London.
http://www.mirrormist.com/chas.nelson.cenent.works.stocton.htm
The company went bankrupt after the war. The site lay derelict until the 60s when it was demolished. The demolition was (so the story goes) carried out by army engineers from the nearby Kineton base who were being trained in the use of explosives.
The demolition was largely uncontrolled, and the remains of the buildings were just bulldozed into the canal basin. Many of the foundations remain intact.
The site has recently been bought by a canal cruiser company, who have started to clear the canal basin as part of their plan to build a new marina on the site. This has led to some stuff that has lain buried for 50 years being exposed again, so I went back and took a few photos.
This metal tube (about 3m in diameter) lies horizontally, half uncovered by the excavation. Not sure of it's length, but it's at least 12m.
The exposed end lies in a semicircular tray (same diameter) which is closed at one end.
Opposite, a tunnel has been exposed. Seems to slope downwards, and then blocked. Could be connected with a kiln, as there is no record of any shafts on the site.
Retaining wall of the works. This is where the silos were. Canal basin on the left.
Still lots of these grinding rings lying around - about 2m in diameter.
Old excavator bucket I suspect
I'd be interested if anyone has any theories about the metal cylinder. Maybe connected with the boiler house?
Sorry pics a bit ropey - still getting the hang of new phone.
Stockton Cement works were owned by Charles Nelson of Warwick and produced high quality Portland type cement, much of which was shipped by canal or rail to London.
http://www.mirrormist.com/chas.nelson.cenent.works.stocton.htm
The company went bankrupt after the war. The site lay derelict until the 60s when it was demolished. The demolition was (so the story goes) carried out by army engineers from the nearby Kineton base who were being trained in the use of explosives.
The demolition was largely uncontrolled, and the remains of the buildings were just bulldozed into the canal basin. Many of the foundations remain intact.
The site has recently been bought by a canal cruiser company, who have started to clear the canal basin as part of their plan to build a new marina on the site. This has led to some stuff that has lain buried for 50 years being exposed again, so I went back and took a few photos.
This metal tube (about 3m in diameter) lies horizontally, half uncovered by the excavation. Not sure of it's length, but it's at least 12m.
The exposed end lies in a semicircular tray (same diameter) which is closed at one end.
Opposite, a tunnel has been exposed. Seems to slope downwards, and then blocked. Could be connected with a kiln, as there is no record of any shafts on the site.
Retaining wall of the works. This is where the silos were. Canal basin on the left.
Still lots of these grinding rings lying around - about 2m in diameter.
Old excavator bucket I suspect
I'd be interested if anyone has any theories about the metal cylinder. Maybe connected with the boiler house?
Sorry pics a bit ropey - still getting the hang of new phone.