Shoreham Cement Works - 08 January 2009

[Ogof]

Spur of the moment trip to the cement works when my normal Sunday stuff went pear shaped. I find this place amazing each time I go, even though I've been there many times. It's so huge and so industrial and there are always new things to find. Spent 5 hours in there and was only in one area.

Some history of the place. The present buildings were erected in 1949 with production ceasing in 1991. The quarry actually dates back to 1851 and cement was manufactured on the site since at least 1898. A tunnel under the road separates the distribution plant and administrative blocks (west) and the industrial site and chalk quarry (east). Clay was obtained from pits a short distance up the River Adur and coal was brought in by rail. The cement was fired in two enormous 350ft kilns. The works is considered a fine example of the technology of the post war period and is still largely intact.

Spent alot of time just noseing about, it was very relaxed.

The pictures:

It was a sunny day and you get some great light coming in through the high level vents in the roof.



The two main rotating kilns






Inside the other kiln (went in the other one on the last visit)



The kiln door coming out



Crawl through this small innocuous hatch and you end up in this U shapped corridor with loads of cement dust and these strange rooms (see below)



This is what is in the small rooms. I think there were 3 room, maybe 4.



Then you go around the corner and this huge pipe is above you. It just shouldn't be there!



Then around the last corner and there's this great bit of graff down the end. I couldn't get my head round it at all!









This is the area above those funny little rooms. You can just see the huge pipes turning down at the back.









Beautifully industrial









Hope you enjoyed them, it really is a great place to visit.