A time to break down ... a time to build up
A tale of two cimneys at Sankey Sugar Works

These photographs are in the Harrison Collection owned by the Society. They were taken by Mr Joe Harrison, who was the Senior Supervisor at the Sankey Sugar Works, Earlestown, when it closed down in 1976. Mr Harrison took his camera to work with him throughout his working life at the Works. Thus, in the 1920s, he recorded the dramatic demolition (left) of the original chimney; the spectators drifting away - some, (below left), along the canal bank, with Bradley Lock cottage in view on the right; and (below right) the dismantling by hand of the rest of the chimney.

The demolition was in preparation for the erection of a new chimney as part of the expansion of the refinery. Here we see, (left): some kind of ceremony, perhaps the laying of a foundation stone, to mark the start of the building; (below left): the chimney gaining height; and (below right): the completed structure, alongside a new power house. In the background can be seen the enlarged plant buildings been built.

These photographs are from a set of negatives given to the Society by Mr Harrison's family, following his death in 1988. The group showing the demolition were actually printed as a set of Post Cards. Apart from many views inside and outside the Sugar Works, some featuring the Sankey Canal, there are also views of his family, and of local characters and events. They form an important body of material on Earlestown life in the last century.

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