THE LAST COMMERCIAL FIRINGS OF A BOTTLE OVEN
1976 and 1977
Oil fired, Wilkinson Downdraught, integral chimney type bottle ovens for refractory kiln furniture. Acme Marls Works, Bournes Bank, Burslem
1976
When we visited this factory in July and August 1976, it supported three oil-fired Wilkinson downdraught, integral chimney type ovens. They were numbered 6, 7 and 8. At the time, Number 8 was empty, Number 7 had been placed (set-in, or filled) and Number 6 was being fired. More about downdraught ovens here>
The products being fired were refractory 'bats' or kiln furniture, used in the ceramics industry.
We were privileged to have been there and able to take just a few photos of the firing of Oven No.6.
Oven No.7 was fired in October 1977 and was the last oven to be fired at the factory before manufacture was transferred to its new site in the town. A ceremonial flaming torch was taken from the fire in oven No.7 to the new gas kiln at the new site. See extract from local newspaper article below.
Here is a selection of the photos we took in 1976 in the cramped and awkward and very hot conditions with no space to get good overall shots.
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| Acme Marls, Burslem The three ovens Nos. 6, 7 and 8. Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem Inside No.8 oven showing two of the bags Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem On the right No.7 oven set with refractory bats Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem Clammins being built on the left - notice clay is being used to fill any gaps. Also notice the Seger Cones (thermoscopes). Clammins fully built on the right and thermocouple inserted at the top. Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem The oil pump on the left and oil burn on the right. Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem Oil burners are lit and firing is proceeding Temperature is gradually rising in the oven. Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem Well into the firing cycle. Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem Firemouth with oil burner. Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/ August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem The fireman attends to the oven. Regrettably, I don't know his name. Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem Close to the final temperature and necessary 'soak' Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: 1976 |
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| Acme Marls, Burslem July/August 1976 Final temperature of close-on 1400C has been reached. Thermocouple and block removed from the top of the clammins and the crown damper cracked open. Photos: Terry Woolliscroft Collection Date: July/August 1976 |
1977
The last oven to be fired at Acme Marls, Bournes Bank, Burslem
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| Bottle Ovens Acme Marls Burslem - last firing Extract courtesy of Evening Sentinel report 17 October 1977 |
