Gas Works, Station Road (EHER 40419)

A gas works close to the railway station in Southminster. The Southminster Gas Company was formed in 1866 and the management is well-documented. By 1956 production at Southminster had ceased and a supply was being taken from Burnham-on-Crouch. The last holder was still in use at the end of 1966 but was shown as 'disused' on a site survey made in April 1974.

A gas works close to the railway station in Southminster (EHER 40545). The Southminster Gas Company was formed in 1866 and the Post Office directory for 1867 lists J.F. Kemp as Chairman and C. Cook as Secretary. In 1870 and 1878 John Finch Kemp (a Corn Merchant and Maltster in Burnham) was chairman; William Asbey Hurrell was secretary in 1870 but John Smith Prior was listed in 1878 and 1886; Prior was a Draper and Agent to Sparrow and Co., Bankers. William Page was Chairman by 1886. The Secretary in 1884 was J. Fleming. By 1900 John S. Prior was Chairman and F.A. Prior was Secretary according to Kelly. GWD and S, however, lists James Harvey as Engineer and Walter Jones as Secretary that year. By 1915 the business was owned by Worthington Church, who lived locally. His Secretary was E.F.H. Lain and the office was at 10, Arthur St., London EC. J. Beard was Manager in 1923, when the office address was Kelvedon. Lain was still Secretary in 1929. By 1937 the Proprietor was R.V.E. de B. Crawshay and the Manager was G. James. The make that year was 5.1m. In 1948 Crawshay and James were still in charge; the annual make was 5.5m. In 1950 the Clerk to the Council wrote to the Eastern Gas Consultative Committee. He 'expressed concern lest the fitting of points for cooker and wash copper in 32 houses on a new site would have an adverse effect upon the gas supply'. By 1956 production at Southminster had ceased and a supply was being taken from Burnham-on-Crouch, although a Maldon-Southminster link was planned (see EHER 40393). The last holder was still in use at the end of 1966 but was shown as 'disused' on a site survey made in April 1974. <1> The gas works and associated buildings are recorded on the 3rd ed OS map. <2>