Sleaford Bass Maltings - Sleaford - October 2013

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RichPDG

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The Bass Maltings were built between 1903 and 1906 by Bass Ratcliff & Gretton’s chief Engineer and Architect Herbert A Couchman. The original design for the maltings complex was twice as large, with a further 8 malt houses to the south mirroring the current 8 blocks. Couchman was know for his meticulous standards and personally oversaw the entire project. 60 houses were built from the brick he rejected, testimony to his high standards.

The maltings at Sleaford was an attempt to centralise malt production in an efficient way, making use of economies of scale and steam power for moving barley around the site. For the first few decades the site was able to produce malt far cheaper than any other, however with the advent of pneumatic malting in the 1940-50s, Sleaford fell into decline, ceasing as a maltings in 1959. Bass had first experimented with pneumatic malting in 1899 at the Plough Maltings in Burton, so in some ways Sleaford was outdated before it was even built. The maltings at Sleaford are considered Couchman’s best work, however his earlier Shobnall Maltings (1891) bears many resemblances.

Been meaning to head down and get this one ticked off the list for quite a while now and after hearing that the water tower was open, I decided it was now or never so off I headed. Unfortunately, This was the only building that was accessible as all of the others were securely boarded up. Didn't see secca at all whilst visiting but there was a strange figure dressed in a white shirt and black trousers that kept walking up and down the perimeter fence. :? All in all was good to finally see the maltings!

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This is where the fun began! The sound of the wind rushing down this pipe was immense! Produced a really bassy sound! Climbing through was enjoyable too!
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I'm thankful that the rails along the edge were there because the wind was that strong it could have easily blown me over!
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Thanks for reading!​
 
Those doors weren't open when I last went...

Great photos all the same, it's a nice water-tower with a great view at the top. Need to go back here as we were rudely interrupted! The most interesting rooftop access I've ever encountered too haha.
 

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