Three Bottle Kilns at Acme Marls Ltd

3 bottle ovens at Acme Marls Ltd
photo: 2000

Originally of c.1900, though present structures are 1937-1947.
Brick.
Free standing circular hovels to downdraught ovens, the hovels tapering evenly to moulded caps.
Only remaining downdraught type of potters ovens.

At the bottom of Bournes Bank the kilns of Acme Marls
photo: 2000

 

 

Bournes Bank in 1964
photo by Frederick Woolley and supplied by Ken Macfarlane

Bournes Bank runs from Queen Street at the top to Woodbank Street.

Old Church Street (Bournes Bank) used to be the main route from Burslem town to St. Johns Church, a more direct route was built in the form of New Church Street. When the new street was built the one became Old Church Street and later Bournes Bank.
Bournes Bank is the line of an ancient pathway - it was part of the packhorse route from Hanley to Burslem.

Acme Marls were founded in 1932 by J W A Lovatt, initially they processed the clays (marl) - especially fire clay which local pottery firms used to make saggars. Later the firm made the saggars and sold the finished article to the potteries

In 2000 J&J Dyson acquired Acme Marls, the kiln equipment company, for £1.9m, and consolidated its business onto the Acme Marls site in Tunstall - this ment that the Burslem site was sold off for development.

The back of Queen's Street, Burslem visible behind the kilns

 

The remains of Bournes Bank behind the kilns - just prior to demolition

photos: 2008

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Burslem town 2008
the bottle kilns of Acme Marls at the bottom right of the picture - St. John's church is on the opposite side of Baptist Street. The clearance of the land behind Burslem town centre can be clearly seen. 

 

Acme Marls and St. John's church
the church is also a listed building

aerial photos: MS Virtual Earth 2008

next: St. John the Baptist, Burslem
previous: Bemersley Farm, Brindley Ford