Gloucestershire is not readily associated with industry, but in fact, it has a very rich and varied industrial heritage. The aim of this fully illustrated talk is to look at some of the extensive remains of various industries from all over the County. In addition to the woollen cloth and other major manufacturing industries some of the more unusual industries like the manufacture of pins and walking sticks and even cars will be considered.
Iron working, coal mining and quarrying in Dean will feature; as will the transport systems that were so vital to the development of industry such as the roads, railways and of course the canals. Some of the scenes will be familiar, but perhaps not generally thought of as being industrial in their origin and others, it is hoped, will be completely new.
Dr. Ray Wilson is a retired physicist who spent much of his working life in the Electricity Supply Industry at Berkeley.
He was the Secretary of the Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology for many years.
He is interested in all aspects of the County’s industrial past, especially turnpike roads, our local mills and Sharpness Docks.