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| The kiln used for the firing at the Hudson and Middleton factory, Longton. |
On
29 August 1978, the
last ever firing of pottery in a coal-fired bottle kiln began. The
Clean Air Act of 1956 had made it illegal to produce masses of black
smoke in urban areas, which forced the local potteries to finally
switch over from the old bottle ovens to new gas and electric kilns.
However, two decades later, to raise funds for the repair of its own
ovens but also to document the process before all knowledge died out
completely, Gladstone Pottery Museum in Longton, was given leave to
carry out one last traditional firing. The kiln chosen for the job
was a quick firing glost china oven at the nearby Hudson and
Middleton factory and the museum produced a selection of wares
including plates, bowls, character jugs and tygs for this final load.
Many local factories also provided ware to be fired. The man placed
in charge of the firing was 73 year old Alfred Clough a former
pottery manufacturer, who was aided by other former firemen, ovenmen
and placers plus numerous volunteers from Gladstone. These helped in
preparing and loading the kiln and on this day at 12.45 pm, the last
of the fires were lit by Mr Clough's 11 year old grandson.
The firing went without a hitch and 32 hours later the fires were
extinguished and the kiln was allowed to cool for three days, being
emptied on 2 September.
Reference: Evening
Sentinel,
29 August – 2 September 1978.