Swinton Pottery

... a monument to a monument

Confused? Haha!
Let me explain..

The above monument is located at Swinton Roundabout, serving its double purpose.. 1st, as a welcome to Swinton, as the name implies, and 2nd as a monument to Swinton Pottery, as the name (and structure) likewise implies.. It serves as a monument to remember what once was a lucrative way of life in Swinton..

This is what it was all about, The Waterloo Pottery Kiln.

It was built in the 1815, in the same year as the Battle of Waterloo. It is one of the few surviving parts of the Swinton, later, known as Rockingham Pottery, that occupied the site. It was, apparently, of international repute, and at its height, 270 workers were employed here. The site included other kilns, a flint mill, china warehouses and cottages.The kiln originally contained a firing chamber for pottery and acted as a chimney that funnelled air through it and out of the roof opening.

After the pottery closed the kiln was converted for residential use and the door and window openings created can still be traced.

Between about 1900 and the 1930's it was used as a smallpox isolation hospital and later a private house. As you can see in the link, the kiln still exists, but now as a monument.. Hence the above monument is a monument to a monument! Ha!

You get here by going through Blackamoor Road, just a few yards away from the roundabout, by which you'll be entering 1st into a wide open field.. But don't worry, you won't get lost as there is a sign and footpath that will lead you to it..

Thank you so much to everyone for being so caring and concerned through the past few days that I've been ill.. I'm feeling a lot better now, especially as its just 1 week to go 'til my visit to the land of my birth..
And another massive thank you for all the wonderful comments and the stars with regards to yesterday's blip.. So much appreciated!

P.S. The above monument looks quite massive, but don't be fooled, it's just the same height as me, a cute 5ft high, haha!