I visited the Spode Works in Stoke and had the chance to film inside the China Terrace building which is part of the listed North West Courtyard on the site. Should this history be saved or knocked down and redeveloped? The courtyard incudes the remains of one Biscuit Firing China Pottery Kiln, when there used to be 2. These kilns are featured as viewed from the Terrace building. Spode had 24 bottle kilns or ovens in total.
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After entering the site from Church Street, to the left (north) is the so-called `China Bank' courtyard. A four storey range, which was used as a shop, stores and offices, stands to the west facing east onto the courtyard. It is constructed of brick under a slate roof with three truncated stacks. It is single depth and built on an undercroft, possibly the foundations of the building which formerly stood on the site, which is slightly deeper and contains examples of Copeland tiles which are fixed on built-in benches within the undercroft. The building was originally three stories with a fourth storey added later in the C19. As originally built, the building was symmetrical with a regular pattern of windows and doors under segmental arches at ground floor which was repeated at first and second floor. The third floor which was added is taller with a series of nine tall three light top hung paned casements. As originally constructed the building was fireproofed to all floors (jack-arched construction is still in situ).
The building has been extended to the north on a diagonal to connect it with an earlier range on the north west side of the courtyard. This extension is also of three stories under an apparently flat or shallow pitched roof. It has a door and window at ground floor level and paired windows under segmental arches at first and second floor. A single tall three light window on the third floor is similar to those on the main range of the warehouse. The building to which it is attached is of two storeys, constructed of brick under a slate roof. It is of seven bays and curves to join the showrooms to the east via a carriage arch. It has a series of six over six pane sliding sash windows under stone lintels, set within recessed blind arches separated by brick pilasters; all over a brick pediment defined by a projecting string. The first floor windows are recessed four over eight pane sashes with stone lintels set on a continuous projecting string. This range has a delicately moulded eaves cornice.
Some internal detailing survives including a stone stair (thought to have originally been an external stair) within the three storey extension and some ceiling roses, cornicing and joinery. The well-known Spode Museum was housed within the building. This incorporated a number of free-standing and fixed display cabinets showcasing part of the extensive Spode collection.
Adjoining the southern end of the building is the base of a bottle kiln: the only visible reminder of this essential component of a pottery works. Constructed of brick it stands to only about 20 courses and comprises only the internal structure; the brick hovel, the iconic bottle-shaped cover and neck, has gone. It retains two rows of iron bands, or bonts, and a series of brick arched firemouths.
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18 июн 2024