Two Bottle Kilns in need of Tender Loving Care.

Sunday 7th August, 2016 in Stoke-on-Trent.
A lovely sunny morning. Nb "Golden Dolphin", moored behind us, set off early on their quest to do the Four Counties Ring in two weeks (it can be done in just one week - but it is very hard work).

Soon after getting under way, we passed the huge modern Wedgwood factory. Josiah Wedgwood started his business in a small factory in Burslem in 1759. In 1766, he aquired a 350 acre site at Etruria, where production started in 1769. In 1938, the Wedgwood company acquired its present site at Barlaston and our visit there in 2013, to take the excellent tour, coincided with the day of the 75th anniversary of a huge party to witness the cutting of the first sod for the factory, which was evidenced by one of the large photographs in the entrance lobby (an anniversary inexplicably not being celebrated at all by the current staff or management!). Unfortunately, due to the war, development of the factory was delayed and production did not start there until 1950. This year, a major redevelopment has been started to expand the factory.

A nice welcome to the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent. This stretch of canal is very leafy and attractive; there is no sense of the proximity of a large city.

However, we were soon into the heart of old industrial Stoke. We always chuckle at the name of this large plumbers' merchants' warehouse - although we noted that all the vans and trucks are branded "James and Shuffs!"

We moored up opposite the cemetary, where we had also moored in 2013 and last year. Despite being very close to the centre of the city, it is very peaceful and quiet.
Opposite the cemetary is a recent residential development called "Lock 38" on the site of the huge former Twyfords factory - famous for producing sanitary ware. The main Twyford office building at the front of the site has been renovated and turned into apartments, but the only survivors of the main factory are two lovely old bottle kilns.

We were distressed to see that a massive amount of vegetation had been allowed to grow all over these kilns. The photograph below, taken in 2013, illustrates the difference. They have sprouted buddleias and are looking decidedly hairy!

Although the few remaining bottle kilns in Stoke are all listed (there were over 4,000 but only 47 survive), it appears that listing doesn't mean that they are looked after. In the hopes of helping these two to survive, we emailed the Heritage Department of Stoke Council with these photographs. We shall see, next time we pass, if any action has been taken.
Today: 5 miles, 3 locks and 2.9 hours.
Trip: 223 miles, 156 locks and 163.3 hours.