Report - J H Weatherby and Sons, Falcon Works - Hanley - October 2012

[Derphouse]

Visited with Mrtoby, Clough and GeovDub

After deciding to leave our initial point of call, due to security already busy escorting someone of site, we decided to tro-lol-lol into Stoke, to find some pots..... Few places were popped into and this one was the best of the bunch!!!

The Falcon Works Hanley, was owned by J. H. Weatherby & Sons Ltd who established a works on site in 1891. The works originally specialized in earthenware but later went on to produce fine porcelain. The former extant hovel kiln most likely dates from the 1890s, although the inner kiln has undoubtedly been replaced many times since this date and is most likely mid 20th Century.

Originally the works had 5 kilns, but 3 where relocated to the south of the site in 1906 when the firm expanded. During this expansion the front range was added providing a new façade to the main street. Before the construction of the Potteries Way, the street was the main road north out of Hanely and was lined with many small potteries.

The firm continued to grow slowly between and after the wars, first branching into hotelwares, then later collectables. By the 1970s the firm’s expansion was hindered by planning control and by 2000 the works finally closed. At its height the works employed 200, by 2000 it employed 10.

The building looks like its beyond all hope of holding anything interesting! i kinda wish i had some externals to show just had bad it really looks, but after some assisted scaling, we were pleasantly suprised that it wasn't just absoluetly derped!! that is to say it had some non smashed potteries, good light and some lovely long dusty rooms,not disimilar to Barnsleys or TG Greens... the bottle kilns obviously gone poof, but there was plenty of other stuff for photoings,

Pictures

Thanks for looking!!​