Powder Mills

The parish of Leigh had a gunpowder mills company from 1812-1934. The Leigh Historical Society felt that it should research more into what had happened over those one hundred and twenty two years and investigate what remained. They were especially energized by a talk given by Dr David Hansell, a chemist and former manager of the chemical company on the powder mills site. David had always taken a keen interest in the site's history, and in the process of gunpowder manufacture. From 2005 the Historical Society started to undertake further historical research. It also liaised with the current owners, Glaxo SmithKline (GSK), to enable various visits to be made, both by Society members and by various gunpowder experts.

Amongst the experts were Wayne B Cocroft, the author of “Dangerous Energy” and a comprehensive report on the Chilworth Mills in Surrey; Peter Kendall and Liz Dyson from English Heritage; John Williams, Head of Heritage and Conservation and his colleagues at the KCC: and representatives from the two local district councils.

All these experts expressed themselves delighted (and surprised) by the site, with English Heritage wondering whether it would be useful to classify it as a Site of National Industrial/Archaeological Importance. Furthermore, English Heritage, with support from the KCC, suggested that the Leigh Historical Society apply for a Heritage Lottery Grant to do further work. The Grant was successfully negotiated and the main work began in May 2007. It was agreed that it was unlikely to be possible to open the site to the general public, but that work should concentrate on a report that described the history of the Powder Mills and an examination of the archaeological remains.

In 2009 two books – one on the history and one on the discoveries at the site (“The Lost Powder Mills of Leigh”) were published. Additionally a 40 minute documentary was made; there were numerous conducted tours, lectures and articles; a major exhibition; and much information was incorporated into this website as shown below.