Monument record 6389/2 - Dunmore Ltd.: Premier Portland Cement Co Ltd.

A brickworks was established in the late 19th century and cement production was started in 1898.

{1} Owners from 1895 Arthur Dunmore, from 7th October 1898 Dunmore Ltd., from 24th January 1907 Premier Portland Cement Co.Ltd., from 20th November 1911 Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd until closure in about 1916. The original owner of the site Arthur Dunmore of Central Farm, Irthlingborough developed several of the minerals on his land. Clay for brickmaking, lime for cement manufacturer and ironstone. From 1907 lime was the prime concern but ironstone was still occasionally sold presumably when exposed during the course of quarrying for limestone. The precise location of the earliest quarries are uncertain but they were close to the Irthlingborough to Wellingborough road at the southwest end of Irthlingborough. The limestone quarries were to north of this road but it is believed that the ironstone quarry was to the south.

{2} The brickworks were built in 1890's on land owned by Dunmore and Pendered partnership.

{3} Brickworks on the site later occupied by Premier Cement Works.

{5} Cement works, Wellingborough Road. Industry was complementary to several brickyards around Irthlingborough. Cement production began on the site in 1898 when Dunmore Limited added the production of cement and plaster to that of brick and tiles. In 1907 the site was rebuilt and the company name was changed to Premier Portland Cement Co Ltd. Production ceased in 1928 - since then the site has been used as a storage and distribution depot, as training ground by the Civil Defences Corps and as social club for Whitworths Ltd. The site comprised engine house, boiler house, cement mills and driers, quarries and other associated works. All production was by the 'dry process'. The 1910 guide to Irthlingborough describes Cement Works as a significant employer in the town. The Works has now gone out of business and there are just one or two small buildings relating to it including a small industrial building at the entranceway and a small part of the original building. The former is out of use and the latter is in use for beer storage. The remaining structures have been demolished, but there are some remaining earthworks from quarrying. There is however some form of industrial works in operation to the rear of the site, possibly linked to the Whitworths complex. Film 1, photo 9,10.

<1> Tonks E., 1990, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Wellingborough Area, p.196-97 (unchecked) (Book). SNN45742.

<2> NORTHAMPTONSHIRE INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP, 1994, IRIS Report Form, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN51698.

<3> STARMER G., List of Industrial Sites in Northamptonshire (Various, Including N.R.I.M.), (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN1444.

<4> O'Rourke R., 1970, Some Northamptonshire Brickworks, p.17 (unchecked) (Article). SNN103347.

<5> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (checked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

Record last edited

May 10 2022 9:06AM