Pilkington Glass, Doncaster - May 2015

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Goldie87

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Construction of the factory began in 1919 and it opened in 1922. The site was chosen due to its canal side location and access to local coal and sand. In 1923 Pilkington, in collaboration with Ford in the US, developed a continuous flow process for the manufacture of glass plate and a method of continuous grinding. However in the 1950′s Pilkington’s developed the “float” method of glass production (the molten glass is poured onto a bath of molten tin at 1000C). This was much cheaper as it did not require the grinding and polishing processes. Pilkington’s quickly set about converting all their factories to this new technology with the exception of the Doncaster plant which retained the old method of production. It finally closed in 2009.

One that seemed to have dropped of the radar, its taken quite a hammering but its still good. The main factory area is vast, and the other areas are not bad either. Some nice old bits left behind, including drawings and plans going right back the the first days of the site. The 1920's drawings of the workers houses and facilities for the 'garden suburb' were particularly interesting, which even went to such detail as the tiles that would go on the bathroom walls.

Visited with mattdonut & Mr Sam

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You have picked out some really nice features, the drawings of the Kirk Sandall houses are pretty special. As you mention in your write up it is a large site, so you have done a great job here.
 
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Fantastic stuff and a stunning set of photos - Last one is my fave too.
thanks for sharing :)
 
Wow! I grew up in Kirk Sandall! I played behind this site along the canal, and all around that area - I wasnt even aware the place had closed!

Feel a visit to my old stamping ground coming on!
 

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