Mid 19th century Gas Works, Station Street (EHER 40411)

Mid 19th century gas works producing gas for nearby areas. It later expanded to include water works on the same site.

The 1867 P.O. Directory lists P. Brough as Proprietor and W. Pearson as Manager. In 1870 Kelly's Directory listed 'Walton-on-the-Naze Gas and Water Works (Peter Schylor Bruff, proprietor; William Pearson, manager)'. William Pearson was Manager in 1878 and 1884 but by 1886 he had been replaced by William Quickfall. C.E. Bland was Secretary by 1884. In 1972 a new gas works was opened, designed by Jabez Church and Son. In 1884 there was a Special Act. Further Acts 1886, 1901, 1912. The Tendring Hundreds Water Works Company leased the gas business, if not gas and water, to H. O'Connor. His Manager was E. Mason, latterly. Gas was eventually supplied to Frinton and Kirby from here. On the 1st of January 1899. O'Connor's lease expired. By 1900 James White was Manager, according to Kelly, but by 1914 W.J. Sumner was the Local Manager and Henry Burrows was Manager. In 1924 and 1929 Cecil John Robinson was Manager. H. Burrows was Secretary in 1923. The 1924 make was 26m of coal gas plus 9m of CWG. 2,200 tons of coal carbonised. In 1932, September, a bulk supply was received from Clacton Gas Works, delivered to Kirby Holder Station. Production at Walton ceased. In 1948 the volume purchased from Clacton was 62m. W.A. Burrows was Engineer and H. Burrows the General Manager and Secretary of the Tendring Hundreds Water Company, based in Manningtree. The gas supply area was Walton, Frinton and Kirby. In 1949 the gas business vested in the Eastern Gas Board, leaving the Water Company to continue as such. <1>.