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From: Mark Kisiel
Sent: 13 August 2009
Subject: Watnall Brickwork Chimneys Are No More

Hi Came across your website after searching for Watnall Brickyard. I'm sorry to inform you that as of 7:30pm on Wednesday 12th August the chimneys are no more. They have been demolished and all that remains is a pile of rubble. Thankyou, Mark



Published Date: 
20 August 2009

By Denis Robinson

THE demolition of four towering chimneys which were an iconic Hucknall landmark had become inevitable, it has been claimed.

The 200 ft structures (PICTURED) on the former Watnall Brickworks site were blown up on Wednesday August 12, causing widespread shock and anger among Hucknall residents.

The destruction of the century-old chimneys, which could be seen from a distance of many miles, was carried out by Bloom Demolition and Excavation, of East Markham, Nottinghamshire.

One Hucknall resident summed up the general view when he said: "The town has lost its greatest landmark."

But Bloom's safety officer, Joe Childs, said the site, off Watnall Road, had been persistently targeted by vandals.

"The chimneys had cracks in them and their lightning conductors had been torn off," said Mr Childs. "Someone had also started taking bricks from a bottom corner of one of the chimneys.

"They were bound to become more and more dangerous – and a bridleway runs through the site."

The chimneys vanished from view forever with the ceremonial press of a button by ten-year-old Daniel Seeds, grandson of one of the demolition workers.

Mr Childs explained that there was no prior notification of the explosion because sightseers were bound to have been attracted and it was vital that members of the public did not put themselves at risk.

A 'rolling road-block' was used on the M1 motorway to ensure that there was no traffic near the site in either direction during the blast.

The chimneys were the last remnant of the old Watnall brickworks, which were next to the former Watnall Colliery and closed in the early 1950s.

The site is owned by an Australian in his eighties who has been unavailable for comment.

But a spokesman on his behalf said the site attracted trespassers, including dog walkers, and a lot of time was spent repairing fences.
The land is earmarked for development but agents Innes England said no buyer had yet come forward.


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