Lime Kilns in Worcestershire

Home , Abberley, Abberley Hall, Alfrick, Badsey, Baughton, Bayton

Nils Wilkes

Acknowledgements

I first began this project in September 2012 having noticed a number of limekilns annotated on the Ordnance Survey County Series First Edition maps whilst carrying out another project for the Historic Environment Record department (HER). That there had been limekilns right across Worcestershire was not something I was aware of, particularly as the county is not regarded to be a limestone region. When I came to look for books or documents relating specifically to limeburning in Worcestershire, there were none, and this intrigued me. So, in short, this document is the result of my endeavours to gather together both documentary and physical evidence of a long forgotten industry in Worcestershire.

In the course of this research I have received the help of many kind people. Firstly I wish to thank staff at the Historic Environmental Record department of the Archive and Archaeological Service for their patience and assistance in helping me develop the Limekiln Database, in particular Emma Hancox, Maggi Noke and Olly Russell.

I am extremely grateful to Francesca Llewellyn for her information on Stourport and Astley; Simon Wilkinson for notes on Upton-upon-Severn; Gordon Sawyer for his enthusiasm in locating sites in Strensham; David Viner (Canal and Rivers Trust) in accessing records at Ellesmere Port; Bill Lambert (Worcester and Birmingham Canal Trust) for involving me with the Tardebigge Limekilns Project; Pat Hughes for her knowledge of the lime trade in Worcester and Valerie Goodbury for her article on the West Malvern Limekilns and her general advice;

INDEX

Page 3…………..Introduction Page 4..………..Limestone in Worcestershire Page 7………....The Limeburning Process Page 9 ……..…..Limeburning in 75 Worcestershire Parishes Page 65 …………Appendix A – George Hunt (Evesham Architect, Builder and Lime Manufacturer) Page 67 …………Appendix B – Limeburners in Worcestershire Page 77 …………Appendix C – Extracts from Croome Estate Accounts Books Page 79 …………Appendix D – The Himbleton Tramway The Proposed Canal Branch from Himbleton to Upton Snodsbury and Broughton Hackett The Proposed Worcester and Broome Railway (via Himbleton) Page 81 …………Appendix E – Worcestershire Incidents with a Lime or Limekiln connection Page 89 …………Appendix F - Miscellaneous Newspaper Cuttings relating to Lime or Limeburning Page 90 …………Appendix G - Database of Limekiln Sites in Worcestershire

“Limekiln on Abberley Hill” c1784

Burley – Lear Drawings Collection WAAS Ref: X899:192 BA 2432 52A

INTRODUCTION

Whereas, in many parts of the United Kingdom, numerous good examples of limekilns still remain, in Worcestershire there is now very little visible evidence of a once widespread industry. Much of what does remain lies in woodland, slowly decaying, but protected in part by the fact that they cannot be reached by the plough. Some 141 limekiln sites have been identified across the county, with field names and place names providing evidence for over one hundred additional sites where limekilns would once have existed. Despite the seeming large number, there are now only two sites in the county where complete limekiln structures have survived, they being at Pirton and Stanford Bridge. The early indications are that limekilns at a third site at Tardebigge may be fairly complete but proper excavation is required to establish that that is the case. There are three further substantial limekiln structures at Abberley and Martley and West Malvern, where the draw-holes are still completely visible but the pots have either been filled in or removed. At a small number of locations there is evidence of limekiln sites in the form of earthworks, some with the remains of stone or brickwork. In total, there are the visible remains of 31 limekilns (22% of known sites), but it must be stressed, some are barely evident. Similar limekiln research has been carried out in neighbouring county of Herefordshire, where 252 limekiln sites have been identified, with extant remains at over one hundred of those locations (40% of known sites). (1) Limeburning in Worcestershire was on the decline from the 1870’s as evidenced by the diminishing number of limeburners recorded in the census and the comparison of the number of limekilns on the first and second editions of the Ordnance Survey County Series maps. That said, new limekilns were still being constructed in the early twentieth century in the parishes of Pirton, Broughton Hackett and White Ladies Aston. For the limekilns that survive there is little legal protection to help preserve them, none being listed for instance, although all 250 sites are now recorded on the County’s Historic Environment Record. So it is particularly encouraging to learn that efforts are being made to conserve the unique bank of five limekilns at Tardebigge New Wharf. Work is currently being carried out by the “Worcester Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society” to remove and control much of the vegetation that has been enveloping the area, and now, with the backing of the “Canal and Rivers Trust”, funding is being sought in order to prevent further deterioration of the limekilns. With physical evidence of limekilns being somewhat sparse it has been necessary to look at documentary evidence in order to discover other limekiln sites and to provide a broader picture of the lime industry in Worcestershire. This document is the result of that research.

(1) Goodbury V. 1994 Herefordshire Limekilns - A Dissertation

LIMESTONE IN WORCESTERSHIRE

Sources of Limestone in Worcestershire Worcestershire is perhaps not widely regarded as a limestone region, particularly when compared to carboniferous rich areas such as the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales, the chalk areas of the North and South Downs or the oolitic limestone area of the Cotswolds. Nevertheless, there is surprising amount of limestone in the county, which generally does not outcrop and so has to be won from beneath the surface. There are many old limestone quarries which are still visible and often, where there were quarries, lime kilns were constructed close by. Broadly, there are three significant areas of limestone quarrying and lime production within Worcestershire. (See map on following page) 1. The west of the county including Stanford, Eastham, Stoke Bliss, Suckley, Martley and Rock 2. A central area from Strensham, through Pirton, White Ladies Aston and Broughton Hackett to Himbleton. 3. The east of the county including Church Lench, Cleeve Prior and The Littletons.

The importation of lime into Worcestershire There is evidence to show that some lime was brought into the county, firstly by transporting it on the River Severn and later by means of the canals and then by rail. The lime that was produced in Worcestershire was not on an industrial scale and hence was mainly used by the estates and farms that manufactured it. For developing towns, where builders required lime to produce mortar, it was easier and cheaper to acquire the lime through merchants who had brought the lime in along the waterway system. Much of the lime imported into the county is thought to have originated from Bristol. In the mid seventeenth century, an action was brought by Widow Joan Chance of Worcester against one Anthony Chance for non-delivery of lime and copper from Bristol (1). In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the Gloucester Port Books show that lime was being transported on the Severn(2) and in 1754, R.R.Angerstein noted in his travel diary that lime from Bristol “is packed in barrels and sent all over the country for mortar and fertiliser” (3) In Bewdley, the Bridge Wardens accounts often refer to “Clee lime” (ie: from Clee Hill in Shropshire) prior to 1662 (4), but this material must have been brought in by cart as there is no suitable waterway by which to transport it. With the arrival of the railway in the mid eighteenth century and the production of lime on an industrial scale, merchants began to operate from the goods depots in towns (and some villages) throughout the county, thus ensuring that lime was easily and readily available. However, in Worcestershire the small scale manufacture of lime still continued, eventually ceasing at the outbreak of the World War II. It is likely that the last working limekiln was that at Pirton on the Croome Estate.

The uses of lime in Worcestershire

The act of liming and marling of cultivated land was revived in the 17th century, having all but ceased since the 14th century (5). The purpose of this process was primarily to help improve the condition of soil by neutralising its acidity and to break up clay. It was also added to heaps of “wreck” to make the “best of all compost”, according to the President of the Agricultural Society in the early part of the nineteenth century, wreck being weeds gathered from fallow land (6). In 1794 Pomeroy records that “The principal manures are, the production of the stable, farmyard, and lime kiln, judiciously applied by good farmers, according to the respective qualities of the soil; the latter of these, however, is generally spread over the land without any previous mixture, a habit which requires regulation” (7). Farmers also came to recognise that the application of lime was beneficial for growing clover and turnips as well as being used as a remedy to help prevent blight on hop fields.(8) Of equal importance was the presence of lime in the building industry where it was used for making mortar and plaster. Some buildings received lime wash which helped to protect the walls, as the coating would dry to a hard waterproof skin. It also provided the opportunity to add colour dye to the lime wash as an alternative to the usual white finish. It was not just houses that received the treatment, as illustrated in 1684, when the low water level of the River Avon prevented Bristol Lime being transported to Little Comberton, forcing the wardens to postpone the whitewashing of the church till the following spring. (9) To a lesser degree lime was also used in the tanning process, which was an industry that took place in several towns across Worcestershire .The hides were soaked in a lime solution to loosen the hair and flesh and then they were scraped with a blade known as a slicker. Perhaps not surprisingly, such a process caused an unpleasant smell, and a Quarter Sessions Presentment of 1637 (10) records that William Davies of St.Michaels in Bedwardine, Worcester was operating lime pits in his back yard to produce leather for the city’s glove makers. Understandably his neighbours were not prepared to tolerate this but perhaps the most influential objectors were from those representing the church next door. During an outbreak of Anthrax in the County in 1893 a report determined that affected cattle were to be slaughtered and either buried in six feet deep hole and covered in lime or they were taken to nearby limekilns (if available) and burnt. (11)

(1) Pat Hughes Thesis Private Publication (2) Bewdley-In its Golden Age, Trades and Industries 1660-1760 Bewdley Historical Research Group p.147 (3) Berg T. & P 2001 RR Angerstein’s Illustrated Travel Diary, 1753-1755 Science Museum (4) Bewdley-In its Golden Age, Trades and Industries 1660-1760 Bewdley Historical Research Group p.31 (5) W.H.R.Curtler 1909 A Short History of English Agriculture Page 113 (6) 1840 Bentley’s History, Gazetteer and Directory of Worcestershire Volume 2 Page 99 (7) Pomeroy W.T. 1794 General View of the Agriculture of the County of Worcester (8) Goodbury V. 1994 Herefordshire Limekilns - A Dissertation (9) Vale of Evesham Historical Society Research Papers 1975; V; pp 61-69 (10) Worcestershire Quarter Sessions WAAS Ref: 1/1/84/62 (1637) (11) Worcestershire Chronicle 16th September 1893

THE LIMEBURNING PROCESS

The process of manufacturing lime

Limestone and chalk are forms of calcium carbonate, which when heated to extreme temperatures will produce a gas, carbon dioxide, which is driven off, leaving calcium oxide also known as quicklime, unslaked lime, burnt lime or lump lime. By adding water to the quicklime, calcium hydroxide is formed and this is known as slaked lime or hydrated lime. A further process takes place when the water and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere turn the slaked lime to back calcium carbonate. To enable limestone to be heated to the required temperature of above 900 degrees centigrade, it was necessary to construct kilns which could generate such heat. The earliest evidence of such limekilns in Britain date from the Roman period as lime was required for mortar to construct buildings and bridges. One such kiln was discovered in Droitwich during archaeological excavations undertaken between 1967 and 1977. (1)

Types of limekilns (2)

Clamp Kiln – Not so much a structure but a shallow hole in the ground, where layers of fuel and limestone were mounded up, covered with clay or turf and allowed to burn slowly in a process similar to charcoal burning. Flare Kilns (also known as Intermittent Kilns and Periodic Kilns) - This type of kiln only enabled a single fire to take place, then the burnt lime had to cool down before it was removed. The process then began again, so there was a lack of continuity in production and the output was therefore not high. This type of kiln was typically found on farms around the county during the eighteenth and nineteenth century where the lime was primarily for the landowners own use. In Worcestershire it is likely that this type of kiln was in common use. Perpetual Kilns (also known as Running Kilns and Draw Kilns) - These are early industrial kilns as they were kept burning continuously, with fuel and limestone being fed in at the top and the burnt lime being raked out at the bottom. The disadvantage with the burnt lime was that its quality was poorer as there was ash mixed with it. The flare kilns and the perpetual kilns were constructed in a similar way, being a stone structure with the hearth below and the pot for the limestone/fuel above. The main difference between the two types was that the perpetual kiln had a grate between the hearth and the pot which allowed the limestone to fall through. The Flare Kiln had a stone arch above the hearth which meant the limestone, which was placed in the pot above, did not come into contact with the fuel and which was why, once processed, the burnt lime had to cool down before being removed from the pot. Each batch of limestone would therefore take several days to process then the operation would begin again. There are not enough extant remains to draw any conclusions on the design of limekilns in the county. From what has survived it would seem that there was no set template. At Tardebigge,

7 for instance, three limekilns were constructed of a similar design with two more being added alongside at a later date. Early indications are that these later kilns seem to have horseshoe shaped pots rather than circular but they have not been fully excavated as yet so we await confirmation of this. Limekilns in Worcestershire were generally built by landowners to produce lime for use on their own land. Perhaps, therefore, the kilns perhaps were not built with permanency in mind, unlike the larger well-constructed industrial limekilns. At Pirton there is evidence that kilns were built adjacent to the working quarry and once that quarry was exhausted after a few years, new limekilns were built alongside a new quarry about one hundred metres to the south of the original site. This process was repeated again a few years later thus showing that limekilns often had short lifespans and this is one reason for the limited number that have survived. There are several examples of limekilns being demolished once they have ceased production, particularly where a landowner wishes to return the site to arable land.

Limeburners

It has been possible to compile a list of limeburners from Census Returns and County Trade Directories but this is not to be regarded as comprehensive (See Appendix B). Often, limeburners have been described as Agricultural Labourers on the census forms , an all-encompassing term when limeburning was just one of the duties they carried out on the estate. Therefore, it seems safe to assume that there were far more limeburners than those identified. It was a dangerous profession to be engaged in as the process of burning limestone gives off carbon dioxide gas , which is an asphyxiant. There are many cases in Worcestershire where limeburners (and others) have died as a result of inhalation of the fumes (see Appendix E). Often, unsuspecting victims would seek out limekilns as a warm place to bed down for the night, sometimes with fatal consequencies. By far the most prolific limeburning family were the Eaton’s of Martley with seven members having been identified. Another family heavily involved in limeburning were the William’s family of Baughton, operating kilns in Pirton, Naunton and Hill Croome. Although the numbers of limeburners are not accurately known, the chart shown in Appendix H indicates that the number of limeburners peaked around 1850 – 1870, after which the numbers steadily declined through till 1940. This reflects the fact that lime had been made more readily available by the spreading railway network, with most station depots providing lime at competitive prices, thus putting paid to lime manufacturing in Worcestershire.

Notes (1) Barfield L. Section 3; Bays Meadow villa, Droitwich 1967-77 Hurst D. 2006 Roman Droitwich – Dodderhill Fort, Bays Meadow Villa and Roadside Settlement CBA Research Report 146 Council for British Archaeology (2) Smith N. 2011 Pre-industrial Lime Kilns English Heritage

LIMEBURNING IN 75 WORCESTERSHIRE PARISHES

Index to Parishes

Abberley Kidderminster Foreign Alvechurch Knightwick Astley and Dunley Kyre Magna Badsey Leigh Sinton Bayton Lower Sapey Berrow Lulsley Bewdley Madresfield Bockleton Martley Bromsgrove North and Middle Littleton Broughton Hackett Norton and Lenchwick Bushley Norton-juxta-Kempsey Charlton Oddingley Church Lench Offenham Cleeve Prior Pensax Clifton-upon-Teme Pershore Croome D’Abitot Pirton Cropthorne Powick Crowle Queenhill Drakes Broughton Rochford Droitwich Rock Eastham Shelsley Beauchamp Eardiston Sherriff’s Lench Eckington South Littleton Evesham Stanford with Orleton Fladbury Stoke Bliss Great Witley Stoke Prior Guarlford Stoulton Hanbury Stourport-on-Severn Hanley Castle Strensham Hanley Childe Suckley Hanley William Tutnall and Cobley Hill Croome Upper Arley Himbleton Upton-upon-Severn Huddington West Malvern Hunnington White Ladies Aston Kemerton Wolverly and Cookley Kempsey Worcester Kidderminster 9

Key to Parish Tables

In the following pages many of the parishes are headed by a small table.

Column 1 states whether the feature is a limekiln site, field name or place name.

Column 2 provides the Site Number

Column 3 provides the co-ordinates for the feature.

Column 4 provides the Historic Environment Record reference

Column 5 denotes the condition of the feature on the ground or whether the site has been located by documentary evidence only.

The types have been determined as follows; Type 1 – The Draw-hole and Pot remain intact. (2 No.) Type 2 – The Draw-hole is completely visible but the Pot has either been filled in or demolished. (10 No.) Type 3 – Only the Pot is visible. (1 No.) Type 4 – A small section of the Draw-hole arch is visible plus earthworks. (4 No.) Type 5 – Earthworks with a minimal amount of stone or brickwork visible. (10 No.) Type 6 – Earthworks only. (4 No.) Type 7 – Documentary evidence only. (219 No.)

ABBERLEY

Limekiln Site 1 374506 266154 WSM45950 Type 2 Limekiln Site 2 374506 266162 WSM45950 Type 4

The advertisement above (1) confirms that there was limeburning taking place in Abberley in 1822. Unfortunately, we do not know the location of the lime works or any associated limekilns. There are, however, the substantial remains of two limekilns within the parish of Abberley.(see below) When they were built and in use they actually lay in the parish of Great Witley but a boundary change in the 20th century means that they now are in Abberley. The limekilns are situated in the grounds of Abberley Hall School and are not complete due to the ground above being filled in. It is not possible to tell whether the brick lined pots are still there below the surface, only excavation will provide the answer. The arches of the draw holes measure 2.2 metres across and the recess is 3.0 metres to the back. They are built from brick but the facing wall that links the two kilns are constructed from undressed limestone blocks. The right hand draw hole is in poor condition with soil covering all but the spring of the arch. It is thought that these limekilns may have been built in the 1880’s. (2) The Tithe Award for Great Witley in 1838 make no reference to the presence of limekilns at this site and similarly, when the Abberley Hall and Elms Estate was the subject of a sale in 1866 (3), the plans accompanying the sale details did not indicate the presence of limekilns on the estate either. The first indication of these particular limekilns is when they appeared on the Ordnance Survey County Series First Edition maps of 1885. However, the

1861 census records that Thomas Edwards, a limeburner, was lodging at Walsgrove Farm which is close to both the limekilns and the quarries. Based on the assumption that limeburners needed to be close to hand when the kilns were burning, it would seem probable that Thomas was operating these kilns. The limestone was quarried from adjacent woodland to the west and the larger quarry to the south, the latter can be clearly seen on the 1884/5 O.S. map above.

Note: (1) Worcester Journal, 7 March 1822 (2) Abberley Hall Parkland Report Askew Nelson Ltd. 2013 (Document in Worcs. Archaeology Dept.) (3) WAAS Ref: r705:768 BA6307

ALVECHURCH (HOPWOOD)

Limekiln Site 3 403096 274927 WSM56910 Type 7 Limekiln Site 4 403097 274923 WSM56910 Type 7

This limekiln location lies in the hamlet of Hopwood which is part or the parish of Alvechurch. The plan shows the remains of the limekilns at the wharf alongside the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in 1885. The photograph above confirms the fact that all traces of the limekilns have long disappeared. The building of the canal began from Birmingham in 1792 and had reached Hopwood by 1797, yet it was a further 18 years before the canal was operating over its full 29 mile length. It is not known when these particular limekilns started operating but they were certainly there before 1836 when they were being advertised for let (1). Richard Parkes was leasing the limekilns from the Canal Company in 1842(2), but by the time the O.S.map was printed in 1884, it would seem that the kilns had been silent for some while.

Notes: (1) Worcester Herald 9 June 1936 (2) WAAS Ref: Alvechurch Tithe Award

ASTLEY AND DUNLEY

Limekiln Site 5 377055 268141 WSM56916 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 6 377024 267544 WSM57846 Type 7 Lime Kilns Coppice Site 7 377162 267393 WSM41242 Type 7 Limekiln Cottage Site 8 377100 267444 WSM57988 Type 7 The Kiln Close Site 9 377962 266844 WSM57847 Type 7 The Kiln Close Orchard Site 10 377983 266746 WSM56987 Type 7

The limekiln shown on the 1903 O.S. map (Site 8) indicates that it was probably constructed as quarrying began at Shavers End, at the end of the nineteenth century. There are now no traces of the limekiln on site. However, there is evidence to show that lime manufacturing was taking place at other locations within the parish of Astley at a much earlier time. In 1649, the Estate of Sir John Winford of Astley contained “One Lyme Kilne” (1). A Marriage Settlement of 1731 refers to Lime Kiln Close and The Lime Kiln late in the tenure of Thomas Middleton (2).

Three years later a Joseph Dougharty map of 1734 (3) provides the field names of The Kiln Close and The Kiln Close Orchard and the Tithe Apportionment of 1839 records that both Lime Kiln Piece and Lime Kiln Coppice were owned by Maria Henrietta Cookes.

Notes: (1) The National Archive Committee for Compounding Cases SP 23/211 [Committee for Compounding with Delinquents; Books and Papers. Particulars of Fines thereon. 2nd Series; Vol 38. Ist January – 31 December 1649 (2) WAAS Ref:705:550 BA4600 Box 32 (3) WAAS Ref: f705:550 BA4600/11067

BADSEY

Limekiln Site 11 407278 244803 WSM07671 Type 7 Limekiln Site 12 407276 244798 WSM07671 Type 7 Limekiln Site 13 379520 233763 WSM07671 Type 7

Three limekilns once stood on a site on the west side of the road between Badsey and The Littletons and to the south of the Worcester to Oxford railway line. In 1841 the land was a meadow owned by William Ballard but by the time the railway was constructed through the land in 1854, George Hunt, an Architect, Builder and Merchant from Evesham was the owner. According to the 1871 census, Wilson Allchurch of Blackminster was a limeburner, which suggests that George Hunt had begun to manufacture lime at the site. Confirmation appears in the Kelly’s Directory of 1872 where George is listed as being the owner of lime works at Blackminster.

Three further limeburners are recorded in Blackminster, George Aldington (Junior) in 1891 and Charles Heywood in 1901 and Edwin Knight in 1911. The County Series maps of 1885 and 1904 both show two limekilns on the site, whereas the Third Edition of 1923 shows three. Lime would have been a useful asset to George’s business as it provided the main ingredient for mortar, therefore important for his construction works, as well as lime being a product he could sell. Regular references to his lime business at Blackminster continue in Kelly’s Directories up until George Hunt’s death in 1917. The last recorded lime burner employed by George Hunt at the site was Edwin Knight who is listed in the 1911 census. George Hunt’s will (1) stated that the Lime and Quarry business together land and limekilns were to be offered to his nephew and executor, G.E.Nicklin, for £500. Mr Nicklin, had 28 days to decide whether he wished to take up the offer, plus he could also purchase George Hunt’s live and dead stock, including horses, carts and railway trucks connected with the business (see Appendix A). It is thought that the limekilns were disused by 1920 (2) so it would seem that Mr Nicklin did not continue the business. The kilns were demolished some decades ago and the site is currently being built upon. At the time the limekilns were in operation they stood in the parish of Offenham but in 1949 the boundary of Badsey was extended northward to the railway line and therefore the limekiln site now falls within the parish of Badsey. Notes: (1) WAAS Ref: Wills – Hunt, George, Evesham; March 1917 p173 (2) The Badsey Society Enclosure Map Project 2005-2007 www.Badsey.net

BAYTON

Lime Kiln Piece Site 14 371824 273817 WSM57008 Type 7 Limekiln Meadow Site 15 368265 274042 WSM57004 Type 7 Limekiln Bank Site 16 368467 274078 WSM57005 Type 7 Limekiln Bank Rough Site 17 368482 274176 WSM57006 Type 7 Limekiln Bank Common Site 18 368336 274144 WSM57007 Type 7

Lime Kiln Piece appears on the Tithe Award for Mamble in 1838. The landowner at that time was Sir Edward Blount of Sodington and he leased it to Edward Allen. However, there is no reference to a limekiln in the award so it must be assumed that the field name reflected the fact that a kiln once stood on the site. The four other field names are adjacent to one another on a map of 1817 and may be alluding to one or more limekilns Lime Kiln Piece there.

BERROW

Limekiln Site 19 379621 233670 WSM06966 Type 6 Limekiln Site 20 379524 233806 WSM57009 Type 7 Lime Kiln Hill Site 21 379514 233626 WSM57010 Type 7 Lime Kiln Hill Site 22 379505 233762 WSM57026 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 23 379520 233763 WSM57010 Type 7

The plan shows a large limekiln (Site22) with what appears to be four large buttresses. Whether there was just the one draw hole or it was large enough to have four cannot be determined. If indeed it did have four draw holes then not only would it have been a rarity in this county, but nationally, as most limekilns had either one or two draw holes with very few having three or four (2).Unfortunately, there are no pictures to show what this particular limekiln looked Extract from Berrow Court Estate Plan 1803 (1) like, as it had disappeared by the time the first County Series maps was issued in 1885. Field number 9, in which the kiln stood, was named Lime Kiln Piece. Another limekiln (Site 19) was constructed in the same field, possibly to replace the one above, and was in operation in 1885. It is shown as a circle on the County Series map and was therefore of a more conventional design. By the time the O.S. Third Edition map was released it was described as an old limekiln, and according to the current landowner, it was demolished by his grandfather and the stone used for making a track. However, there are still some earthworks remaining which indicate where it once stood. The field name, Lime Kiln Hill, is recorded in the Tithe Award of 1843 and was divided into two, with one part owned by Samuel Higgins and the other by John Cox Bower.

Notes: (1) WAAS Ref: r705:192 BA5589 Box 178 SWR22615 (2) Smith N. 2011 Pre-industrial Lime Kilns English Heritage

BEWDLEY

There is a surviving Turnpike Account Book for “Lime Kiln Gate” in Bewdley, dated 1755 – 1765 (1). It was therefore a toll gate with presumably a limekiln adjacent to it, but unfortunately, as yet, it has not been possible to determine its location.

The Bridge Wardens Accounts reveal that lime was being brought into Bewdley from Clee Hill before 1662. The lime was probably being used as mortar in repairing the Bridge as the references are few and far between. For example, the accounts show a load of lime cost xiiii d in 1570, with other references in 1578, 1649 and 1658 (2)

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: 705:550 BA4600 Box 303 (ii) (2) WAAS Ref: 498 BA8681 236

BOCKLETON

Limekiln Site 24 359160 263122 WSM38991 Type 7

A sale document of 1777 for Newtown Farm in Bockleton (1) makes reference to the presence of limestone and marl there but makes no reference to a lime kiln. However, the 1885 O.S. map shows an old limekiln, alongside a disused brickworks, just north of Newtown Farm.

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: b899:31 BA3762 Box 8 Volume 3 Foley Scrapbook p237

BROMSGROVE

Lime Kiln Close Site 25 397257 278898 WSM57027 Type 7

The only indication that lime manufacturing took place in Bromsgrove occurs in the Tithe Award for 1839, where it states that Edward Coley is leasing Lime Kiln Close from Edward Tongue. BROUGHTON HACKETT

Limekiln Site 26 392745 254551 WSM47496 Type 7 Limekiln Site 27 392756 254565 WSM47496 Type 7 Limekiln Site 28 393202 254640 WSM57028 Type 7 Limekiln Site 29 393246 254626 WSM57028 Type 7

County Series First Edition 1885 County Series Second Edition 1904 Sites 26 and 27 Sites 28 and 29

Normally the Tithe Award is a good source of information for limekilns or relevant field names, alas there is not one for Broughton Hackett. A proposal in 1825 to construct a canal from Himbleton to Broughton Hackett for the purposes of transporting lime and coal confirms that limestone was being quarried at that time (see Appendix C). Lot 2 of an Auction held in 1831 contained a six acre plot of land called Lime Kiln Piece which indicates earlier limeburning activity but no lime kiln is mentioned (1). During 16 the mid to late nineteenth century, lime was being produced on a large scale as there was a Lime Works in Broughton Hackett. There is reference to it in an advertisement of 1848 (see over) where Joshua Bridges was taking over the business from his late cousin, and then in 1862 further advertisements show that the Lime Works were part of Thresher & Co’s business (2) . The advertisement of 1886 (see below right) confirms that lime was still being produced on a large scale and that it was of a good quality. A number of limeburners are recorded in the Broughton Hackett census returns between 1841 and 1881. (see Appendix A). The fact that there are no limeburners recorded in the following three census’s may indicate that the industry was in decline. The earliest map evidence of limekilns appears on the County Series First Edition where two are shown but there does not appear to be any quarries close by. Those two kilns had disappeared by the time the 1904 map was released, but two more had been constructed a short distance to the east, plus, there was a quarry shown at the site. The land on which these two later kilns stood was on land belonging to the Earl of Coventry. Just as the First World War was about to break out, and at a time when lime burning was generally in decline, there was an attempt being made to revive the industry in Broughton Hackett. In the Berrow’s Worcester Journal of 14th March 1914, Crowquills Jottings contained the following: “One of the pictures in the Supplement this week is of Berrows Worcester Journal: 2 November 1848 the use of the Lime Kilns at Broughton Hackett. These kilns are the nearest to Worcester, and the burning of lime in this locality is a revived industry, which Mr H.J. Tarrant hopes to develop. He has had the lime analysed, with results highly gratifying. Up to a few years ago, lime burning was an important industry in the districts of White Ladies Aston, Broughton Hackett, Crowle, Himbleton etc., as beds of lias formation underly all those villages. Three quarries at least were being worked in the district up to ten years ago, but, doubtless, owing to competition the industry became unremunerative.

The admitted superiority of the product to any other lime in the district has assured a ready market for Mr Tarrants output, which he will be able to double as work progresses. The quarry is situated on land in the occupation of Mr John Hughes, the well known farmer of Upton Snodsbury. The cost of transit over six miles to Worcester is, of course, a large item in the expense, but this is considerably reduced by a special rate which the Midland has quoted for the traffic. An analysis by an eminent London firm shows the lime to be of remarkable purity, and experienced builders are quick to avail themselves of it.”

The limestone layer would appear to be some 10 feet below ground level and was accessed by painstakingly hand digging down to that level. The labourer at the bottom of the picture is breaking up the limestone which is then manhandled to the surface where it is transported to a nearby limekiln by wheelbarrow. The two men on the level above are systematically removing the earth, which also would be carted away in the wheelbarrows. Kelly’s Directory of 1916 makes reference to H.J.Tarrant & Co., Lime Manufacturer but by 1921 Mr Tarrant’s business was not in operation. It may be that Thomas Wheeler took it over as he was listed as a lime merchant in Broughton Hackett from 1921 to 1928 in the Kelly’s Worcestershire Directory.

Notes: (1) Worcester Journal 17 September 1831 (2) Worcester Journal 4 October 1862 Photograph is from Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement 14 March 1914

BUSHLEY

Limekiln Site 30 386400 233716 WSM06984 Type 7

In 1836 a fatality was recorded at a limekiln in Bushley (1). A 40 year old labourer named Henry Welch fell asleep in a lime kiln and was suffocated. A verdict of accidental death was returned. The extract from the first edition county series map of 1884 for Bushley shows a limekiln just north of a limestone quarry. The limekiln also appears on both the second and third editions and as it is not annotated as an “old” limekiln on any of the maps it must be assumed to be a working kiln, at least until the early 1920’s. There are no traces now on the ground of the limekiln site, the field being constantly ploughed, however the limestone quarry workings are clearly visible within the woodland.

Note: (1) Worcester Journal 19 November 1836

CHARLTON

Limekiln Site 31 401235 243093 WSM57029 Type 7

The O.S. map of 1885/6 to the right clearly shows a working limekiln to the north of Lower Haselor. It also shows an old coal shaft in the same orchard although Charlton is not in an area noted geologically for coal. This shaft was an exploratory shaft that was opened in the early 1800’s, funded by subscription, but was later abandoned as a paying seam could not be found. The limekiln does not appear on the following County Series Second Edition map of 1904.

Note: (1) Worcestershire Archaeology WSM03443

CHURCH LENCH

Limekiln Site 32 402246 251748 WSM32048 Type 6 Lime Kiln Ground Site 33 403042 249811 WSM57030 Type 7 Lime Kiln Ground Site 34 402271 252654 WSM57031 Type 7 King Hill Lime Kiln Site 35 402284 251698 WSM57032 Type 7 King Hill Lime Kiln Site 36 402007 251587 WSM57033 Type 7

Lime was being produced well before the Tithe Award of 1839 as the field names of Lime Kiln Ground and King Hill Lime Kiln were well established by that time. The landowner of those particular fields at the time of the award was Sir W.E.R. Boughton, with Thomas Tovey leasing the Lime Kiln site. The limekiln on the map to the right appears to have been working in 1885 but does not appear on the second edition map of 1904. All that remains of that particular limekiln today are the earthworks (see following page), which measure approximately 26 metres by 13 metres with a height of 3 metres.

CLEEVE PRIOR

Limekiln Site 37 408481 249104 WSM07808 Type 5 Limekiln Site 38 408487 249104 WSM07808 Type 5

Quarry Field /

Quarry Furlong

Extract from County Series Second Edition 1904

The village of Cleeve Prior is essentially a limestone village. Many of its cottages are constructed from limestone, as are numerous boundary walls, flagstones, kerbing to footways through the village and 20 gravestones in the churchyard. The main quarry area lay to the south of the parish, part of which now belongs to the Village Millenium Green. In 1781 Nash makes the following observation about the limestone in Cleeve Prior (1). “Here are quarries of very good stone, fit for barn floors and other uses; some of it bears a fine polish like Derbyshire marble, and not inferior to it. The beds lie from four to fourteen feet beneath the surface. By means of the Avon large quantities of it are sent to distant parts, and thus a branch of business is open which affords employment for many of the poor inhabitants.” On a John Snape map of 1772 (2), a slate quarry is identified but there is no reference to any limekilns, similarly the Tithe Award makes no reference to limekilns and there are none shown on the County Series First Edition. Two limekilns are shown on the Second Edition (see above) but by the time the Third Edition is published they are referred to as “old limekilns” and therefore had ceased production. John Smith Holtom’s executors operated the kilns and are listed in Kelly’s Directories from 1896 to 1908 as being limeburners. The business was operating a little earlier than 1896, however, as there are copies of invoices, dated 1894, to Harry Taylor of Evesham who was a builder and timber merchant and who was purchasing lime from the Holtom Executors (3).

The photograph above shows the limekiln earthworks as it is today, there is a little stonework still visible, possibly the remains of a draw-hole wall. The site is situated on the Village Millenium Green and is therefore accessible to the public.

Note: (1) Nash T.R. 1781 Collection for a History of Worcestershire (2) WAAS Ref: r971.2 BA1691/7 (3) WAAS Ref: 705.414 BA8189 Box 3 (i)

CLIFTON-UPON-TEME

Lime Kiln Piece Site 39 372064 261894 WSM57034 Type 7

An indication that lime was being produced in Clifton is evident from a reference to Lime Kiln Piece which occurs in the Tithe Award of 1845. Lime Kiln Piece lay approximately 400 metres north east of Church House Farm, and at the time of the Tithe Award was in the ownership of the Trustees of Clifton Church land and was being leased to Thomas Boddington.

CROOME D’ABITOT

Limekiln Site 40 389070 245031 WSM50147 Type 7 Limekiln Site 41 389088 244991 WSM50147 Type 7 Limekiln Site 42 389085 244996 WSM50147 Type 7 Limekiln Site 43 389086 245004 WSM50147 Type 7 Limekiln Site 44 389092 245005 WSM50147 Type 7 Limestone Quarry Site 45 388977 245594 WSM57131 Type 7 Limestone Quarry Site 46 389162 243623 WSM57132 Type 7

There is no longer any visible evidence of the quarry and limekilns shown on the Ordnance Survey County Series map of 1885. The land upon which the kilns once stood belonged to the Croome Estate, owned by the Earls of Coventry since the late 16th century. According to Snape’s Croome Estate map of 1796, there was a limestone quarry in use at the southern end of the lake but whether it was used for producing lime or just for extracting stone we cannot be certain. However, we do know from the Croome Estate accounts books (1) (also see Appendix C) that in 1721/22 a payment of 1s.6d was made for hauling a load of lime from Croome to the neighbouring parish of Pirton. Similarly, from the accounts of Hermitage Farm in Pirton we learn that in 1738 lime was being hauled from Croome to the farm (2). We also find that in 1741/42 Phillip Mason was paid 8 shillings for “getting stone and burning lime” in Croome D’Abitot, thus confirming that lime burning was taking place on the Croome Estate.(3)

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: b705;73 BA14450 Boxes 160-169 (2) Worcester Journal 23rd February 1878 (3) WAAS Ref: b705;73 BA14450 Boxes 160-169

CROPTHORNE

No firm evidence of limeburning here, but on 5th May 1796 an estate at Haselor Hill was advertised for sale in the Berrows Worcester Journal, informing potential purchasers that “There is plenty of limestone in the estate” should they wish to exploit it.

CROWLE

An auction of 14 acres of land on the Broughton Hackett road in Crowle, held on 10th July 1833, was advertised in the Berrows Worcester Journal as containing a valuable bed of limestone. It is not known whether it was exploited at a later date.

DRAKES BROUGHTON

Limekiln Site 47 388978 248119 WSM57063 Type 7

From the County Series first edition it is evident that there was a limekiln south of Hermitage Farm and that it was probably a working kiln as it is not described as an “old” limekiln. The second edition map of 1901 shows no limekilns at Hermitage Farm.

DROITWICH

Lime Kiln Piece Site 48 388722 262848 WSM57133 Type 7 Limekiln Site 49 389761 263901 WSM57134 Type 7

A limekiln dating from the mid to late 2nd century was excavated between 1967 and 1977 and was of a type that was widespread in the Roman Empire, being a cylindrical pit, 2.5 metres deep with a diameter of 3 metres. The limekiln was built in order to produce lime suitable for building mortar (1). Lime Kiln Piece is referred to in a document of 1799 where Edward Pewrice rented the two acre plot of land from John Hunt for five shillings a year(2). The plot of land was formerly known as Moles Close, and it would seem likely that following the construction of the Droitwich Canal across this particular field in

1771, the opportunity arose for a limekiln to be constructed alongside it to take advantage of the new form of transport, and the field name was subsequently changed to Lime Kiln Piece. It now serves as the playing field for St.Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.

Roman Limekiln Site

Lime Kiln Piece

Note; (1) Barfield L. Section 3; Bays Meadow villa, Droitwich 1967-77 Hurst D. 2006 Roman Droitwich – Dodderhill Fort, Bays Meadow Villa and Roadside Settlement CBA Research Report 146 Council for British Archaeology (2) WAAS Ref: 705:35 BA8851 Box 45

EARDISTON

In 1841 a farm of 40 Acres was advertised to let (1) and which included a good stone quarry and lime kiln. It is not known which farm this was or the location of the limekiln.

Note: (1) Worcester Journal 25th February 1841

EASTHAM

Limekiln Site 50 367473 267142 WSM35015 Type 7 Limekiln Site 51 367032 267631 WSM57064 Type 7 Limekiln Site 52 367709 267606 WSM35013 Type 7 Limekiln Site 53 367430 267515 WSM57065 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 54 367413 267292 WSM57066 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 55 367545 267283 WSM57067 Type 7 Lime Kiln Bank Site 56 366780 267620 WSM42666 Type 7 Limekilns ? Site 57 366790 267570 WSM42667 Type 7

References to limekilns in Eastham occur as early as the eighteenth century. In a document of 1742 (1), John Newport leased land to Thomas Harper, within which was stated the following; “……… other than Liberty for the said Thomas Harper and Martha his wife and their assigns to make Lime to be used and imployed on the hereby demised premises only and not elsewhere with Liberty to dig delve search for take and carry away the same the said John Newport and his heirs and assigns making reasonable satisfaction for all damage and injury done or occasioned thereby in and upon the soil of the said premises and Also except full and free Liberty for to erect a Kiln in the Blackwood for making of Lime……………..”

In 1785 Spout Farm in Eastham was being sold and it was advertised as having “….good Lime Rock and Lime Kilns with tree saplings and coppice wood” (2). Hillwood and Spout Farms featured in an advertisement in 1796 where it was stated that there were “very good Lime Quarries with Lime Kilns thereon situate near the banks of the River Teme” and were in the occupation of Thomas Bowkett and Joshua Knight. (3) Several references are also made to “Lime Pitts Farm” in Eastham during the mid to late 18th century. Whether in this case Lime Pitts are another term for limekilns it is not clear(4), however, in the 1841 census” Lime Pitts Farm” does not appear as an address whereas “Lime Kilns” does, and it continues to appear in all the census returns through till 1911.

“Limekiln Bank” was described on the first edition county series maps and still appears on Ordnance Survey maps today. There is a labourer’s cottage there which has been derelict for some years, and presumably with limekilns in close proximity it is likely that the inhabitants of the cottage were engaged in operating the limekilns. Certainly, from the census returns of 1841 to 1911, we know that three generations of the Tetsell family lived there and they may well have lived there much longer than that. The field name ”Lime Kiln Piece” appears in the Tithe Award of 1843 when the land was owned by Maria Whitehead and the tenant was David Price.

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: 705:146 BA7454 Box 4 (2) WAAS Ref: 899;1196 BA11803 (3) Berrows Worcester Journal 13 October 1796 (3) WAAS Ref: 899:1196 BA11803

ECKINGTON

There are no known limekiln sites in Eckington, but from a diary of the 1730’s, written by the Hanford family who held the Manor of Woollas Hall within the parish, we know that there must have been some limeburning activity taking place (1). One entry in the diary states “…that a tone of coll will burne three score bushel of lime” and another entry states that “….ye small sort of cool called slack for burning of lime is 2d – 1 ½ d a bushell”. There is also a reference to spreading lime on the hop fields. In the same document there is a description of mixing up lime wash for buildings and the fact that the lime was made from Norton Quarry stone dust. (Norton is the adjacent parish of Bredon’s Norton) The fact that the Manor of Woollas Hall lay on the northern slopes of Bredon Hill where there was plenty of limestone available would only add to the probability that limekilns did exist on the estate.

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: 705:85 BA950 Box 65 Doc.1254

EVESHAM

Limekiln Site 58 404072 243246 WSM57068 Type 7 Limekilns Site 59 403500 243600 WSM57175 Type 7 Limekiln Site 60 404050 243710 WSM57070 Type 7

Documentary evidence (1) indicates that in 1711 there were limekilns close to Evesham Abbey. From the location description it has been suggested that the site of the limekilns may have been behind the Almonry Gardens, perhaps as far away as the Infirmary in Little Abbey Lane. Quite why the limekilns were at this particular location is open to speculation. One suggestion put forward was that the limekilns were there to process the ready supply of limestone at the site as a result of the destruction of the Abbey around 1540, brought about by the Dissolution of the Monasteries. However, by the early eighteenth century there was little, if any stone, remaining at the site, as it would seem that most of it had been sold off during the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. So perhaps this theory can be dismissed. At a land auction held in Evesham on the 8th of January 1841, Lot 2 contained a lime kiln plus a coal yard, wharf and warehouses (2). The property stood on the north-east side of Evesham Bridge (now the Workman Bridge) and was in the tenancy of Mr Wilks at £140 per annum. The kiln was not surviving at the time of the publication of the OS County Series first edition map in 1886. However, there was a redundant limekiln at Owletts End. This particular area has since been developed and there is no longer any physical evidence of the limekiln, which would have stood close to what is now 13 Watson Lane.

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: 705:184 BA9186 Box 14 No.2 Transactions of the Worcestershire Archaeological Society ;Vol.12,1990; page 134. It states that there was “…a lime kiln…” at the Evesham Abbey site, where in fact the original document states “…up to the limekilns there…”. (2) Worcester Chronicle 16th December 1840

FLADBURY

Limekiln Site 61 399650 246390 WSM26895 Type 7

This limekiln site was excavated in 1955 by the Vale of Evesham Historical Society. The remains of a stone-built kiln structure were uncovered, the walls being of blue lias stone blocks laid dry, in circular, bat flare kiln dating to the early Limekiln nineteenth century. The source of the limestone Site processed at the kiln is not known as there are no obvious quarries in the surrounding area. It is therefore most likely that limestone was brought to the site by boat as the limekiln is adjacent to the River Avon. So the fact that Fladbury did not have its own source of limestone meant that lime would have to be imported, which in turn made the product more expensive, a point made by Mr Oldacre of Fladbury in 1794 (2) when he was quoted as saying that “ The produce of the fold-yard is almost the only manure used in these parts. Lime is too dear to be generally used”. He then went on to be rather dismissive about the benefits of lime, when he added “ I never saw much improvement from that article in this neighbourhood”

Note: (1) Baylis T.J.S. Transactions of the Worcestershire Archaeological Society Vol. XXXIII, 1956 pp. 45-7 (2) Pomeroy W.T. 1794 General View of the Agriculture of the County of Worcester Appendix 3 WAAS Library Ref: 630.94244

GREAT WITLEY

Limekiln Site 62 375082 263529 WSM57331 Type 5 Limekiln Site 63 375083 263561 WSM57331 Type 7 Limekiln Site 64 375081 263540 WSM57331 Type 5 Lime Kiln Piece Site 65 376681 267430 WSM57332 Type 7 Lime Kiln Plantation Site 66 374922 266526 WSM57149 Type 7 Limekiln Site 67 375067 263499 WSM57331 Type 5 Limekiln Site 68 375074 263495 WSM57331 Type 4 Limekiln Site 69 376668 267507 WSM41418 Type 5 Limekiln Site 70 375079 263533 WSM57331 Type 7 Limekiln Site 71 374822 266418 WSM57150 Type 7 Limekiln Site 72 374822 266413 WSM57150 Type 7

The Great Witley Tithe Award of 1838 provides the field names and locations of Lime Kiln Piece and Lime Kiln Plantation. The limekilns also referred to in the Award (Sites 67 & 68) were owned by the Trustees of the will of the late Earl of Dudley and the tenant at the time was William Bray, a 70 year old farmer living in Fetterlocks Lane. The remains of these two limekilns are also located in Fetterlocks Lane and can be easily accessed as they are alongside the road. The remains of limekilns at sites 62 and 64 lie in a woodland named Wallhouse Plantation and will require owner’s permission to visit. The limekiln at Site 69 can be easily accessed as it is alongside a public right of way on the top of the Abberley Hills. There are sufficient earthworks remaining to be able to recognise it as a former limekiln, and closer inspection will reveal vestiges of brickwork.

During the nineteenth century the Witley Lime Kilns (presumably the ones in Fetterlocks Lane) were a regular meeting point for the Worcestershire Hunt, and was often advertised in the Worcester Journal.

Top left: Limekiln remains at Site 62 Top right: Limekiln remains at Site 70 Centre left: Limekiln remains of Sites 67 & 68 Centre right: Close up of draw hole of limekiln, Site 68 Bottom left: Earthwork remains of limekiln, Site 69 Bottom right: remaining limekiln brickwork, Site 69

GUARLFORD

Lime Kiln Meadow Site 73 383502 246146 WSM57152 Type 7

Although Lime Kiln Meadow lies within the Parish of Guarlford, it is recorded Lime Kiln Meadow on the Madresfield Tithe Award of 1840, the landowner being John Henry Allen.

HANBURY

Limekiln Site 74 393117 263797 WSM45284 Type 7

This particular limekiln only appeared on the first edition of the County Series map of 1885 and was described as an “Old Limekiln”. It is likely that it was built soon after the completion of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal in 1814. An advertisement for Shelve Lime Works appeared in the Worcester Journal of 24th April 1828. Lime of excellent quality could be purchased at a cost of £2.18 shillings per kiln (approximately five tons in weight). The works were some two miles from Hanbury Wharf.

HANLEY CASTLE

Limekiln Hill Site 75 383153 241644 WSM57153 Type 7

The 1797 Inclosure Award Map [1] refers to Limekiln Ground whereas on the Inclosure Award Map of 1818 [2], the same field is called Limekiln Hill. The eight acre field was owned by Anthony Lechmere in the latter award. There is no indication of a limekiln on either map.

Note: [1] WAAS Ref: BA 816/2 Limekiln Hill [2] WAAS Ref: BA 816/2

HANLEY CHILDE

Lime Kiln Piece Site 76 365495 264552 WSM57176 Type 7 Rough in Lime Kiln Piece Site 77 365424 264523 WSM57177 Type 7

In a document of 1744 (1), John Newport leased The Hill Farm to John Nott for £42 per year. The lease allowed “….John Nott and Mary his wife and their assigns to make Lime to be used and imployed on the hereby demised premises only and not elsewhere….” which clearly indicates that limeburning was taking place in the parish during the 18th century. The reference to Lime Kiln Piece appears Lime Kiln on the Tithe Award of 1840, the landowner being Rough in Piece the Rev. Newport (presumably a descendant of Lime Kiln John Newport above) and the tenant William Birt, a Piece 30 year old farmer from Hill Farm, Eastham. The same plot of land featured in “The Acts for the Inclosure, Exchange and Improvement of Land” for Hanley Childe in 1854 when the landowners were given as William Lacon Childe and Rev. Thomas Newport.

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: 705.146 BA7454 Box 4

HANLEY WILLIAM

Lime Kiln Orchard Site 78 368786 265317 WSM57178 Type 7 Lime Kiln Orchard Site 79 368737 265363 WSM57179 Type 7 Lime Kiln Orchard Site 80 368774 265493 WSM57180 Type 7 Lime Kiln Orchard Site 81 368810 265409 WSM57181 Type 7 Lime Kiln Orchard Site 82 368736 265443 WSM57182 Type 7 Lime Kiln Bank Site 83 368911 265323 WSM57183 Type 7 Limekiln Site 84 368999 265356 WSM57184 Type 7 Lime Kiln Bank Site 85 369023 265323 WSM57185 Type 7 Lime Kiln Bank Site 86 368923 265473 WSM57186 Type 7 Limekiln Site 87 369027 265311 WSM57187 Type 7

All the above features appear on the Tithe Award of 1839 – 43, the landowner being John Amplett in all cases except Site 78 which was owned by Rev. Newport. In the Hanley William Manor Rolls of 1656 (1), there is recorded the following extract; “…It is commanded to John Ffeysey that he doe hang a sufficient gate at the lower end of the Lyme Pitts for the Lord of the Manor to goe through the same pasture called Lyme Pitts into Sappies Wood…”, which indicates that limeburning was certainly taking place in this area in the mid-17th century. The limekilns which appeared on the O.S. map of 1884 (above) no longer existed by the time the O.S. second edition map was issued in 1904.

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: 899:1196 BA11803 (Folio No.11)

HILL CROOME

Limekiln Site 88 388982 240897 WSM57188 Type 7 Little Lime Kiln Piece Site 89 388998 240281 WSM57189 Type 7 Big Lime Kiln Piece Site 90 388974 240372 WSM57190 Type 7 Limekiln Site 91 388964 240307 WSM57191 Type 7

In July 1795 a freehold estate of 24 acres of land at Hill Croome was sold at auction at the White Lion in Upton-upon-Severn. It was stated in the advertisement (1) that “On part of the premises there is a quarry of excellent Lime Stone and two good kilns erected within these few years”. In 1824 six acres of land at Baughton Hill became available at auction(see following page). This is undoubtedly the smallholding that the Williams family eventually took up in the mid-18th century and where they lived for many decades, carrying out their limeburning activities. (see Appendix B – Hill Croome)

Worcester Journal 26th August 1824

The two limekiln sites in Hill Croome that we can be certain about, appear on the Tithe Award of 1838, as do Big Lime Kiln Piece (OS Plot No 2) on map to right) and Little Lime Kiln Piece (OS Plot No 1).

William Williams is recorded in the census as a Site of Limekiln Limeburner in 1841, 1855 and 1861 and probably No 88 leased the limekilns which stood on the Earl of Coventry’s land nearby. His son, William, was recorded as a lime burner in 1861 and 1871, and after his death in 1878, his wife Ann took over the Site of Limekiln farm and continued with the limeburning activity. No 91 Their son George became a farrier and a lime merchant, and with his brother Thomas was limeburning at Pirton on the Croome Estate in the early part of the 20th century.

Note: (1) Berrows Worcester Journal; 11th and 18th June 1795

HIMBLETON

Limekiln Site 92 394130 258783 WSM29952 Type 6 Limehill Wood Site 93 391735 261045 WSM57195 Type 7 Limekiln Site 94 391632 260871 WSM29951 Type 7 Limekiln Site 95 391941 260180 WSM57196 Type 7 Limekiln Site 96 394763 258612 WSM29950 Type 7 Limekiln Site 97 392747 259340 WSM57197 Type 7 Limekiln Site 98 392753 259333 WSM57197 Type 7 Limekiln Site 99 392860 259264 WSM57197 Type 7 Limekiln Site 100 392950 259208 WSM57197 Type 7 Limekiln Site 101 392984 259171 WSM57197 Type 7

The earliest evidence of limeburning in Himbleton is provided by a map drawn by John Snape in 1777,(1) which shows three limekilns plus one just over the parish boundary with Huddington. The extract to the right shows a limekiln (Site 94) in the north of the parish at Shernal Green, close to Limehill Wood. It would appear that not all lime being produced was for the landowners own use, as an advertisement placed in the Berrows Worcester Journal on 23rd June 1796 ran as follows; “ J.Tolley, Junior, of Himbleton,

Worcestershire, having lately opened the Lime Works in the above parish, the public may now be regularly supplied with any quantity on such terms as he flatters himself will give general satisfaction” In August 1824 the auction of a Lime Works in Himbleton took place. It stood on land owned by the Dean and Chapter of Worcester and was located in the hamlet of Saleway, adjacent to the Turnpike Road and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. The occupier was Joseph Hollington who was leasing the Lime Works at £30 per annum. There were also a number of limekilns on the land which were under the occupancy of William Wilde on a 7 year lease of £34 16s 4d per annum.(2) The combination of the number of limekilns shown on the John Snape map and the opening of a Lime Works indicates that there was a good supply of limestone in the parish and that it was being exploited. For instance, in 1825, thirteen acres of land were advertised for sale and included two extensive limestone quarries. The abundance of limestone in the parish would have had a big influence on the decision to route the Worcester and Birmingham Canal through Himbleton in 1815, thus providing the opportunity to bring coal in for the limekilns and a means of transporting the lime and limestone out. To improve the transport system even further within the parish, proposals for a tramroad and a 4½ mile canal branch were both seriously considered but later abandoned. Finally, in 1833, a horse drawn tramroad was built, connecting a newly built canal basin to quarries in the parish. However, it operated for less than 20 years, as the canal’s trade was severely affected by the competition from the railway, and in particular by the provision of a station at Dunhampstead which dealt primarily with freight. (See Appendix D) Regardless of the gradual decline of the canal, lime continued to be produced in Himbleton throughout the nineteenth century. A map of 1859 (3) shows a group of five limekilns to the south of Saleway Farm, but by 1885 none of that group remained. Further evidence of limeburning is contained within the Victoria County History for Worcestershire which states that “Limeburning is carried out to some extent in the parish”, and the census returns of 1871 to 1901 record a number of limeburners residing in the parish. (See Appendix B).

From a report in the Worcester Journal in 1894 we learn that three limekilns had recently been constructed in such a way that anyone using the path at night could easily fall into the kiln. An alternative path had been provided, but the processed lime was being discharged onto it and therefore this was also unsafe for public use. (4) Perhaps one of the last operating limekilns in Himbleton was the one at Site 92 which was shown on the First Edition Ordnance Survey map of 1885 (see below) but which had been demolished by the time the second edition was published in 1904. The photograph, below right, shows Site 92 as it was in March 2013, with a visible scatter of limestone where the limekiln once stood. Limekilns were, of course, dangerous places to be around and fatalities did occur at times. At one particular limekiln in Himbleton there were fatalities in both 1888 and 1889. (See Appendix E)

Notes: (1) WAAS Ref: s971. BA1691/14 (2) Worcester Journal 5 August 1824 (3) WAAS Ref: 009.1 BA5403/20 Plan 5938 (4) Worcester Journal 12 May 1894

HUDDINGTON

Limekiln Site 102 392276 259716 WSM57198 Type 7

The only known limekiln in Huddington was located on the parish boundary with Himbleton. It is shown on a John Snape map of the parish of Himbleton drawn in 1777 but is shown here on an O.S. map of 1885. (1)

Limekiln Site No 102

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: s971.2 BA1691/14

HUNNINGTON

Limekiln Site 103 396785 280188 WSM57199 Type 7

A singular limekiln, denoted as “old” on the O.S. map of 1883/4, and demolished a few years later. It was situated to the west of a quarry area but not in a particularly convenient location for transport, so it was most likely that the lime was used to fertilise the land belonging to the owner of the kiln, rather than being for general sale.

KEMERTON

Limekiln Site 104 394364 236559 WSM57201 Type 7

Bredon Hill is formed from Oolitic Limestone, being a different type of limestone from that found elsewhere in Worcestershire. The only known limekiln site to have processed this particular type of limestone was located in Kemerton, although there is evidence to show that Oolitic Limestone was also being processed in Eckington on the northern side of Bredon Hill. (See Eckington). The Kemerton limekiln stood in “Coles Orchard” which was owned by Cole family during the 16th and 17th centuries (1). In 1838, William Hopton was leasing the site and was probably operating the limekiln at that time. By 1884/5 the limekiln had fallen into disuse ( see map on right)and had been demolished by 1902.

Note: (1) Sache K.H. 1980 History of Kemerton WAAS Ref: L 942.449

KEMPSEY

Lime Kiln Piece Site 105 384835 247625 WSM57202 Type 7

The reference to Lime Kiln Piece is contained in the Tithe Award of 1841. With the close proximity of the navigable River Severn it is likely that any limekilns that existed would have been situated on the river bank. Lime Kiln Piece

KIDDERMINSTER

Limekiln Bridge Site 106 382868 277216 WSM12928 Type 7

There is no firm evidence of any limekiln sites that would have led to the naming of Limekiln Bridge. However, given that there were wharves either side of the bridge, it is not inconceivable that there could have been a limekiln situated somewhere there. The bridge itself would have been built during the construction of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal around 1770 and the construction of the wharves and any limekilns would have followed on from that. Limekiln Bridge has appeared on the Ordnance Survey maps since the County Series First Edition.

KIDDERMINSTER FOREIGN

Limekilns Site 107 378700 279600 WSM23980 Type 7

There is little evidence to confirm that there was a lime burning industry in the parish other than that contained in an article by Carole Gammond written in 1996.

Limekilns

Site 107

KNIGHTWICK

Lime Kiln Coppice Site 108 373297 254595 WSM57203 Type 7

Lime Kiln Coppice is recorded in the Knightwick Tithe Award of 1840. The O.S. County Series First Edition shows a quarry within the coppice so any limekilns would have been close by.

Lime Kiln Coppice

KYRE MAGNA

Lime Kiln Orchard Site 109 361998 262474 WSM57204 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 110 361844 262468 WSM57205 Type 7

The field names appear on the Tithe Award of 1839, the land being part of the Kyre Park Estate owned at that time by William Lacon Childe Esquire.

Nathaniel Kent of Fulham surveyed the Kyre Park Estate in 1772 – 1774 and stated “As to other manures, there may be an infinite deal made upon different farms by mixing banks and borders with a suitable proportion of lime, which compost would be highly useful in raising turneps….” (1) So Lime Kiln perhaps the limekiln came about as a result of Mr Piece Kent’s advice.

Note: (1) Kent N. Hints to Gentlemen of Landed Lime Kiln Property 1793 Orchard

LEIGH SINTON

When, in 1829, Norest Farm in Leigh Sinton was the subject of an auction, it was advertised as having an inexhaustible supply of lime rock and of having two lime kilns on the farm.(1) A map of Norrest Farm drawn in the same year, shows the two limekilns in Limekiln Coppice 300 metres to the south-west of the farmhouse. However, the kilns actually lie in the parish of Cradley, which is in Herefordshire, whilst the farmhouse is in Worcestershire.

Note: (1) Worcester Herald 24 October 1829

LOWER SAPEY

Lime Kiln Piece Site 111 368972 261501 WSM57206 Type 7

Lime Kiln Piece field name appears on the Tithe Award of 1841. The landowner at that time was James Seaward and the occupier Benjamin Rea.

Lime Kiln Piece

LULSLEY

Lime Kiln Coppice Site 112 373345 253887 WSM57227 Type 7

The reference to Lime Kiln Coppice appears on the 1838 Tithe Award. The landowner and the occupier at that time was Mary Jones. On 4 July 1850, three coppices, including Lime Kiln Coppice, plus a stone quarry, featured as Lot 12 at auction. (1)

Note: (1) Worcester Chronicle 26 June 1850

Lime Kiln Coppice

MADRESFIELD

There were undoubtedly limekilns on the Madresfield estate, as in 1878 Earl Beauchamp offered to pay two thirds of the cost of all lime used, provided the tenants would cart the coal to the kilns from the nearest railway station (1). The reason for this seemingly generous offer was to encourage farmers to lime manure the land, a process that had been ignored for some years. This in turn would produce better crops, which, following a series of poor harvests and low prices, would benefit the farmers in the long term.

Note: (1) Worcester Journal 28 June 1879

MARTLEY

Limekiln Site 113 375324 262539 WSM57228 Type 7 Limekiln Site 114 375333 262536 WSM57228 Type 7 Limekiln Site 115 375369 262531 WSM57229 Type 2 Limekiln Site 116 375414 261682 WSM57231 Type 7 Limekiln Site 117 375440 261788 WSM57232 Type 7 Limekiln Site 118 375435 261793 WSM57232 Type 7 Limekiln Site 119 375328 261887 WSM57233 Type 7 Limekiln Site 120 375317 261901 WSM57234 Type 7 Limekiln Site 121 375180 261896 WSM57236 Type 3 Limekiln Site 122 375360 262532 WSM57229 Type 2 Lime Kiln Piece Site 123 375013 261133 WSM57237 Type 7 Piece below Lime Kilns Site 124 375156 261099 WSM57238 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 125 374121 257824 WSM57239 Type 7

Martley Hillside has been heavily quarried over the centuries, particularly in the twentieth century with the introduction of large machinery. However, considering the more primitive tools and machinery available prior to that, the volume of limestone removed by the quarrymen of the day was quite 39 impressive. We know, for instance, that there was great activity in the quarries in the latter part of the nineteenth century as 18 limeburners are recorded there between 1841 and 1911, by far the highest concentration found in the County. (See Appendix B) One family in particular, the Eatons, were heavily involved in limeburning, with eight of them being listed in the census returns. The largest of the quarries at Penny Hill, which was latterly producing aggregate, closed in the 1980’s and was then used as a landfill site. Rodge Hill Farm, which lies slightly to the west of Dundridge Coppice (see map on previous page), was available for rent in 1875 and included seven lime kilns. The following advertisement appeared in the Berrows Worcester Journal of 25 September 1875.

Top left: Limekiln site no.122 Left: Limekiln site no.121 Above: Limekiln site no.115

There are ten known limekiln sites on Martley Hillside, three of which remain in part today. Two are alongside a public right of way so can be easily accessed, the third is hidden away in woodland on private land.

O.S. Map 1885 O.S.Map 1903

NORTH & MIDDLE LITTLETON

Limekiln Site 126 407523 246668 WSM57241 Type 7

In 1813 William Pitt published the results of his agricultural survey of Worcestershire, which he had actually carried out in 1805. Of the Littletons he wrote the following: “In the Vale of Evesham, in the parishes of Badsey, and of North, Middle, and South Littleton, are quarries of calcareous flagstone, which are regularly worked, and where considerable quantities are raised for gravestones, barn floors and floors for halls or kitchens; the thickness is about three inches, and they are extremely hard and durable, and can be got of any reasonable length or breadth, I saw some of four or five feet in length; the price at the quarries is five pence per foot superficial; the refuse, or broken stone , is used for mending roads, or will burn into good lime.” (1) An article printed in the Evesham Standard in the latter part of the nineteenth century confirmed the limestone activity in the area: “Previous to the introduction of railways there was a good business done in the stone and lime trade in the Littletons. The quarrymen and stonemasons lived in both the villages but most of the quarries were in North and Middle Littleton. Beside road metal, lime and wall stone, pitching and flag stones of good and enduring quality were raised and gutter stones and salting troughs were worked. A great many headstones were also wrought from one of the beds, being of a more enduring quality than the stone at Grafton, Binton and Wilmcote.” (2)

An auction in April 1847 of 5 acres of land at Lower Hemplands in North Littleton boasted that it contained one of the finest mines of paving, flooring and limestone.(3) Despite all the quarrying that was taking place, apart from the O.S. First Edition map of 1885 (above) there is little evidence of limekilns in North & Middle Littleton. There was a Limeburner living at The Fish and Anchor public house in 1861, however, the limekilns he operated were just metres over the parish boundary in Offenham.

Note: (1) Pitt.W 1813 General View of the Agriculture of the County of Worcestershire Reprinted by David & Charles in 1969 (2) WAAS Ref: 705:767 BA12388 Box 1 p54 (3) Berrows Worcester Journal 8 April 1847

NORTON AND LENCHWICK

Lime Kiln Ground Site 127 405228 247642 WSM57248 Type 7

The only indication of limeburning in the parish of Norton and Lenchwick is a reference contained in the Tithe Award of 1845 and at which time John Ashmore was the owner of the site.

Lime Kiln Ground

NORTON-JUXTA-KEMPSEY

From Billings Directory of 1855, George Watson is recorded as a lime manufacturer, quarryman and beer retailer at “The Retreat” public house (See also Appendix B). This pub was on a different site to “The Retreat” that exists today. Although there is no definite location for a limekiln, it is most likely to have been adjacent Quarry to the quarry to the west of “The Retreat”. The quarry now serves as a pool for wildlife.

ODDINGLEY

Limekiln Site 128 391759 259990 WSM57242 Type 7

Strategically placed alongside the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and the Droitwich Junction Canal, as well as being adjacent to a main road, this limekiln is shown on the O.S. First Edition of 1885 but not on the Second Edition of 1904. (1) The fact that the limekiln is not described as “old” suggests that it was still a working kiln in 1885. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal opened in 1815 and the Droitwich Junction Canal in 1854. Therefore the limekiln was certainly built after 1815 but more likely after 1854. There are no remains visible now although the unevenness of the garden does indicate the possible site of the limekiln. In 1894 it was reported (1) that a road in Dunhampstead was in a dangerous condition due to excavations being made for the purposes of a lime kiln and quarry and as a result protective fencing had to be erected for safety reasons. Note: (1) Dunhampstead lies within the Civil Parish of Oddingley (2) Worcester Journal 3 February 1894

OFFENHAM

Limekiln Site 129 406495 247056 WSM57243 Type 7 Limekiln Site 130 406495 247061 WSM57243 Type 7

The earliest reference to lime in Offenham occurs in 1748 when the parish church is whitewashed at a cost of £1 10s. (1) In 1861 there was a Limeburner, George Aldington, who also was landlord at The Fish and Anchor public house in North and Middle Littleton. However the limekilns he operated were just metres over the parish boundary in Offenham and are shown on the O.S. map of 1885. In the south of the parish there were limekilns near the railway at Blackminster owned by George Hunt, an Architect and Builder from Evesham (see Badsey and Appendix A. George Aldington Junior was working as a limeburner there in 1871. The parish boundary was altered in 1949 which meant that the Blackminster Limekilns were then in the parish of Badsey.

Note: (1) Offenham-A Short History , Benjamin G.Cox 1953 43

PENSAX

Lime Kiln Leasow Site 131 372959 269007 WSM57244 Type 7 Upper Lime Kilner Site 132 374032 269184 WSM57245 Type 7 Limekiln Site 133 372920 268850 WSM05456 Type 7 Lime Kilner Site 134 374078 269312 WSM57246 Type 7 Limekilns (House Name) Site 135 372954 268905 WSM57247 Type 7

The Pensax Court Estate was auctioned off on 15th October 1862 and included a newly built farmhouse, close to the mansion and a limekiln. (1) This is possibly House now named Site 133, where according to WSM05456, there was a “Limekilns” hole of some three metres in depth which had opened out in 1984. With a quarry close at hand, it lead to the conclusion that this may have been the site of a limekiln, further substantiated by the nearby dwelling called Limekiln Cottage (possibly the newly built farmhouse referred to above) now named Limekilns. The field names of Lime Kiln Leasow, Upper Lime Kilner and Lime Kilner are recorded in the Tithe Award of 1845. Note: (1) Worcestershire Chronicle 1st October 1862

PERSHORE

Lime Kiln Meadow Site 136 394333 244949 WSM57249 Type 7

The fact that Lime Kiln Meadow was alongside the River Avon would suggest that limestone was brought in by boat and then processed there. The owners of the field at the time of the Tithe Award of 1841 were Thomas Lucy and the Churchwardens of St. Andrews in Pershore. The field retained its name for many years, as demonstrated when Lime Kiln Meadow featured in a case Lime Kiln of adultery in 1894 (1), and in 1896 Mr Mealing of The Ship Meadow Inn was allowed an occasional licence for a fishing contest there (2).

Notes: (1) Worcester Journal 24 March 1894 (2) Worcester Journal 1 August 1896

PIRTON

Limekiln Site 137 388789 246233 WSM57264 Type 7 Limekiln Site 138 388788 246241 WSM57264 Type 7 Limekiln Site 139 388785 246249 WSM57264 Type 7 Limekiln Site 140 388777 246247 WSM57264 Type 7 Limekiln Site 141 388827 246149 WSM57265 Type 7 Limekiln Site 142 388829 246146 WSM57265 Type 7 Limekiln Site 143 388830 246142 WSM57265 Type 7 Limekiln Site 144 388881 246045 WSM57266 Type 1 Lime Kiln Piece Site 145 388653 247917 WSM57267 Type 7 Far Lime Kiln Piece Site 146 388788 247320 WSM57269 Type 7 Limekiln Piece Site 147 388352 246523 WSM57268 Type 7 Limekiln Site 148 388824 247281 WSM15341 Type 7

We know from the Croome Estate accounts that limeburning was certainly taking place in Pirton and neighbouring Croome D’Abitot as early as the 1720’s and continued right through that century, although in the latter part, it is clear that Bristol Lime was also being bought in (See Appendix C). The Tithe Award of 1840 refers to Limekiln Piece and Far Lime Kiln Piece, indicating former limeburning sites in the parish and thus confirming the early activity. Although it is more than likely that limeburning continued throughout the nineteenth century, it is not until the Ordnance Survey map of 1885 that we know for certain that limeburning is still taking place. By the time the second edition maps had been published in 1904, the limeburning operation had moved slightly south, presumably because the quarry had been exhausted. So a new quarry was opened up and new lime kilns built whilst the old quarry was filled in and the associated lime kilns were demolished.

Limekiln sites 137 – 140 in 1885 Limekiln sites 141 – 143 in 1904

Unfortunately, the census returns do not record any limeburners in Pirton over the period of 1841 to 1911. This may be due to the fact that men recorded as Agricultural Labourers carried out the limeburning as one of their duties on the estate, rather than having men dedicated specifically to the job. Where we do find limeburners being recorded in Pirton is in Kelly’s Worcestershire Directories from 1904 to 1940. This makes Pirton one of the last places in the county where small scale lime manufacturing was taking place. Thomas and George Williams of Hill Croome were limeburning in Pirton between 1928 and 1940 limeburning continued through the Trustees of the Croome Estate (See Appendix B). According to Harold Checketts (aged 94 in 2014), he can remember riding on a cart to collect lime from Pirton to use at Walcott Farm, his father’s farm in Drakes Broughton, which was part of the Croome Estate.

Top left: Lime kiln pot Top right: Arch of draw-hole Centre left: Limestone ready for burning Centre right: Remains of store Lower left: Remains of retaining wall Lower right: Inside the draw-hole

The remains of a limekiln, possibly two, are still to be found in Pirton though they are on private land and public access is not encouraged. As can be seen on the photographs on the previous page, the pot is still intact, although the rim is being damaged by an Existing Limekiln ash tree. To the side of the pot there is a heap of Site 144 limestone, broken up and ready for the next fire which never came. The draught hole is in very good condition but is positioned to the side of the pot which suggests that there is another draught hole that serves the existing pot and vice versa there may be another pot to serve the existing draw hole. Excavation is required to provide the answer. Adjacent to the west side of the limekilns lies the remains of a stone built structure. It had thick walls, a small window and a tiled roof. The doorway was low and therefore suggests that it was not an inhabited building but a store room. A little further to the west is the quarry that would have provided the limestone for the kilns. On the east side of the limekiln mound there are the remnants of a retaining wall constructed in dressed stone, its purpose as yet unknown.

POWICK

Lime Kiln Meadow Site 149 383963 248676 WSM57270 Type 7

Referenced in the Tithe Award of 1841, Lime Kiln Meadow is the only hint of lime manufacturing in the parish. It was located south of Callow End, close to Pixham Ferry on the River Severn.

QUEENHILL

Limekiln Site 150 385146 237237 WSM57271 Type 7

The limekiln shown on the 1904 map to the right did not appear on the 1884/96 first edition. As it is described as “Old” on the 1904 map, it evidently did not have a very long working life. By the time the third edition was issued in 1923 the limekiln had been demolished.

ROCHFORD

Lime Kiln Bank Site 151 364637 266570 WSM57272 Type 7

Only a reference in the Tithe Award of 1841 gives any indication that at one time limeburning took place in Rochford.

ROCK

Limekiln Meadow Site 152 377865 269887 WSM57273 Type 7 Limekiln Orchard Site 153 377728 269815 WSM57274 Type 7 Limekiln Meadow Site 154 377054 269635 WSM57275 Type 7 Limekiln Bank Site 155 376322 270419 WSM57276 Type 7 Limekiln Leasow Site 156 374397 270183 WSM57277 Type 7 Limekiln Field Site 157 374278 270174 WSM57278 Type 7 Limekiln Orchard Site 158 376966 272089 WSM57279 Type 7 Limekiln Leasow Site 159 375421 271962 WSM57281 Type 7 Limekiln Piece Site 160 373664 272845 WSM57282 Type 7 Limekiln Piece Site 161 374397 272194 WSM57283 Type 7 Limekiln Leasow Site 162 376891 272171 WSM57280 Type 7

An early reference to limekilns is found in a document of 1789, when the Manor of Cheney Moor was auctioned off in a coffee house in London. One of the lots was Parlour Farm in Rock, which included a plot of land called Limekiln Hopyard (1). All the field names listed in the table above comes from the Tithe Award of 1842 and all contain references to the presence of former lime kilns. However, whilst there seems to have been much limeburning activity in the parish pre-1800, there is little evidence of limestone/limeburning activity during the nineteenth century. There are no limeburners listed in the census returns and there are no limekilns shown on the first and second edition O.S.maps. There is, though, a reference in 1831 to the Gib House Estate being “rich in mineral production of lime stone” in an auction advertisement (2), but as there is no mention of limekilns it suggests that perhaps only quarrying was taking place. In a sale of 1200 acres of land in the parish of Rock in 1869 (3), both Lime Kiln Leasow and Lime Kiln Field are listed as belonging to The White House, the latter containing a quarry in its eastern corner.

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: 705:550 BA4600/696 (ii) (2) Worcester Journal 9 June 1831 (3) WAAS Ref: 705:847 BA7930

SHELSLEY BEAUCHAMP

Limekiln Site 163 375376 263168 WSM57300 Type 5 Lime Kiln Piece Site 164 375357 263254 WSM57303 Type 7 Limekiln Site 165 375246 263257 WSM57301 Type 2

The old limekiln indicated on the 1884/5 map below can still be traced today by a semicircle of stones near to a timber framed house. There also are the remains of a draw-hole arch of another limekiln,

48 see photo below left. Lime Kiln Piece, which is listed in the Tithe Award of 1843, is field number 261 on the map to the right. From the 1901 census return we find that Thomas Sheppard was a Limeburner in Shelsley Beauchamp, lodging at Fetlocks Farm on Martley Hillside, which confirms that limeburning was still being carried out at the turn of the century.

SHERRIFF’S LENCH

Lime Kiln Ground Site 166 401576 249898 WSM57305 Type 7

Lime Kiln Ground appears in the 1841 Tithe Award for Sherriff’s Lench, the only indication thus far that limeburning did take place here.

SOUTH LITTLETON

Limekiln Cottages Site 167 4076 246385 WSM57302 Type 7

The Littletons, in general, was an area where limeburning took place but apart from a row of houses bearing the name of Limekiln Cottages, there is not much hard evidence to show that South Littleton was producing much lime. The one exception is that W.Pitt observed a limekiln in the parish in 1805 whilst carrying out an agricultural survey of Worcestershire. Pitt went on to state that “In the Vale of Evesham, in the parishes of Badsey, and of North, Middle and South Littleton, are quarries of calcareous flagstone, which are regularly worked, and where considerable quantities are raised for gravestones, barn floors, and floors for halls or kitchens; the thickness is about three inches, and they are extremely hard and durable, and can be got of any reasonable length or breadth, I saw some of four or five yards in length; the price at the quarries is five pence per foot superficial; the refuse or broken stone, is used for mending roads, or will burn into good lime.” (1)

Note: (1) Pitt W. 1813 General View of the Agriculture of the County of Worcester Reprinted by David & Charles 1969

STANFORD WITH ORLETON

Limekiln Site 168 369068 265328 WSM45686 Type 7 Limekiln Site 169 369072 265328 WSM45686 Type 7 Limekiln Site 170 369373 265245 WSM57304 Type 7 Limekiln Site 171 369381 265247 WSM42683 Type 1 Lime Kiln Rough Site 172 369128 265354 WSM57308 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 173 370681 264335 WSM57309 Type 7 Limekiln Site 174 370841 264257 WSM57310 Type 7 Rough, Lime Kiln etc Site 175 371334 263751 WSM57313 Type 7 Lower Limekiln Bank Site 176 371350 263655 WSM57314 Type 7 Upper Limekiln Bank Site 177 317217 263609 WSM57315 Type 7

Top left: Pot of limekiln remains in Busk Coppice Top right: First Edition O.S.Map of 1885 Bottom left: Top of draw-hole arch Bottom Right: Inside the draw-hole

The limekiln stands in Busk Coppice near Fall Farm, which is part of the Stanford Court Estate. The present tenant at Fall Farm relates the story of one Tommy Tucker (probably not his real name) who in the 1930’s lived in the limekiln, merely drawing a curtain across the archway for privacy. He would often walk the 2 miles to the Fox Inn at Broadheath.

STOKE BLISS

Lower Lime Kiln Piece Site 178 363244 262700 WSM18829 Type 7 Upper Lime Kiln Piece Site 179 363168 262581 WSM18829 Type 7

The Tithe Award of 1838 lists Upper and Lower Lime Kiln Piece, which at that time Lower Lime Kiln Piece were in the ownership of William Lacon Childe Esquire.

Upper Lime Kiln Piece

STOKE PRIOR

Limekilns Site 180 395185 267065 WSM34291 Type 7

The Tithe Award Map of 1845 indicates limekilns at the canal wharf but the O.S. County Series map of 1885 does not show any such kilns.

STOULTON

Limekiln Site 181 392683 250420 WSM57316 Type 7 Limekilns Site 182 390630 250960 WSM42295 Type 7

Site 182 is the site of a group of at least five limekilns that were uncovered during an archaeological excavation in 2010. They were thought to be 18th century or possibly earlier and a depression in the ground may well have been the source of the limestone (1). James Chandler was a Lime Merchant at the Lime Works in Stoulton, according to the 1871 census. By 1881 he had moved to White Ladies Aston, so we do not know whether lime continued to be produced in Stoulton, although the limekiln shown on the O.S. map of 1885 to the right was presumably a working kiln at that time as it does not refer to it as being “Old”. The limekiln does not appear on the second edition map of 1904.

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: WSM 42295

STOURPORT-ON-SEVERN

Limekiln Site 183 380921 271122 WSM57317 Type 7 Limekiln Site 184 380918 271124 WSM57317 Type 7 Lime House Site 185 380918 271121 WSM57317 Type 7

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal was fully opened in 1771 having taken five years for the 46 mile length to be completed. The Canal Co. expanded their business at Stourport Basin in 1784 and Richard Adamson was appointed to “attend to the business in connection with the limekiln and brick kiln at Stourport and to keep account of the quantity of lime and bricks made and also coals used” (1) The late 18th century map to the right shows two limekilns and a Lime House, where lime could be stored in the dry (2).

Notes: (1) Hughes L. c1980 The Emergence of Stourport as a Regional Canal Port Dissertation Worcestershire County Library Ref; 386.460942 441 (2) WAAS Ref: f900.9 BA6507/3

STRENSHAM

Limekiln Site 186 389040 238422 WSM46790 Type 7 Limekilns Site 187 389086 239515 WSM57318 Type 7 Limekiln Site 188 389075 239659 WSM57321 Type 5

The parish of Strensham is limestone rich and it would be surprising if limeburning was not fairly commonplace in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Limekilns are shown on a map of 1856 at Leys Farm but there is no trace of them today (1). Similarly, the limekiln site shown on the O.S. map of 1885, when it was recorded as an “Old” kiln, has also disappeared. A photograph taken in 1960 is entitled “Old limekiln and quarry north of Ley Farm” but it is difficult (if not impossible) to make out the limekiln (2).

Note: (1) WAAS Ref: 705:192 BA5589/6 (2) WAAS Ref: 745.067 BA 21709

SUCKLEY

Limekiln Site 189 373283 252927 WSM42688 Type 7 Limekiln Site 190 373323 253077 WSM42689 Type 7 Limekiln Site 191 373231 252502 WSM38775 Type 7 Limekiln Site 192 373234 252352 WSM38774 Type 7 Limekiln Site 193 373237 251432 WSM38800 & 38796 Type 7 Limekiln Site 194 373254 251292 WSM57323 Type 7 Limekiln Site 195 373694 250743 WSM57324 Type 7 Limekiln Site 196 373414 253634 WSM57326 Type 7 Limekiln Site 197 373434 253519 WSM57325 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 198 373517 253133 WSM57371 Type 7 Limekiln Site 199 373347 253098 WSM57327 Type 7 Limekiln Site 200 373363 253116 WSM57327 Type 7 The Lime Kiln Bank Site 201 373526 250975 WSM57329 Type 7 The Lime Kiln Bank Site 202 373645 251040 WSM57333 Type 7 Lime Works Site 203 373608 250633 WSM57352 Type 7 Lime Kiln Field Site 204 373176 252452 WSM57353 Type 7 Limekiln Site 205 373492 253178 WSM57328 Type 7 Limekiln Orchard Site 206 373142 251467 WSM57354 Type 7 Lime Kiln Field (part of) Site 207 371026 251117 WSM57355 Type 7 The Lime Kiln Piece Site 208 373649 250929 WSM57334 Type 7 Limekiln Field Coppice Site 209 372451 253449 WSM57356 Type 7 Limekiln Field Coppice Site 210 372293 253495 WSM57356 Type 7 Limekiln Site 211 373199 252374 WSM57357 Type 7 Limekiln Site 212 373200 252336 WSM57357 Type 7 Limekiln Site 213 373182 252332 WSM57357 Type 7 Limekiln Site 214 373198 252274 WSM57357 Type 7 Limekiln Site 215 373202 252247 WSM57357 Type 7 Limekiln Site 216 373183 252195 WSM57357 Type 7

The Suckley Hills, which run from north to south along the eastern boundary of the parish, are rich in limestone and have been duly plundered over the centuries. In terms of the number of known limekiln sites in any one parish it is the most prolific in the county. According to the Earth Heritage Trust (EHT) the limestone in Suckley is classed as Much Wenlock limestone and is a grey, nodular limestone with a yellowish weathering colour. The EHT acknowledge that the stone would have been used for aggregate and buildings but state that “the complete absence of lime kilns in the area suggests that this was not the principal purpose of the quarry.” (1) Clearly from the evidence shown here, this is not the case, as there are more limekiln sites in Suckley than in any other parish in Worcestershire. From the extract of a map of 1764 (see right), and which shows the area around Blackhouse Farm (2), it is possible make out three limekiln mounds in plot 13B (which incidentally is named Limekiln Field) and a further three mounds in plot 7A.

On the same map (see right), plots 35B and 36B (bottom left on map) are named as Limekiln Field Coppice. The Tithe Award of 1838 provides a number of field names and the location of four limekilns. Plot 776 on the Award is described as ” The Bush Meadow and Lime Works”, with the owner being Joseph Williams. He had probably acquired the Bush Lime Works in December 1833 at auction, along with three and a half acres of adjacent woodland (3). 100 acres of land at Basten Hall in Suckley (see map below left) was available for rent in 1831. It was advertised as having “a fine seam of limestone and kilns in full work.” (4) The map of 1829, to the right, shows a limekiln at Walls Hill which lies in the Chapelry of Lulsley within the parish of Suckley.(5)

Notes: (1) www.earthheritagetrust.org (2) WAAS Ref: r705:27 BA438/23 (iii) (3) Worcester Journal 28 November 1833 (4) Worcester Journal 17 March 1831 (5) WAAS Ref: 705:192 BA5589/171

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TUTNALL & COBLEY

Limekiln Site 217 399980 270216 WSM10034 Type 5 Limekiln Site 218 399977 270209 WSM10034 Type 5 Limekiln Site 219 399974 270197 WSM10034 Type 5 Limekiln Site 220 399495 269320 WSM01712 Type 2 Limekiln Site 221 399486 269326 WSM01712 Type 2 Limekiln Site 222 399488 269330 WSM01712 Type 2 Limekiln Site 223 399493 269343 WSM01712 Type 2 Limekiln Site 224 399496 269348 WSM01712 Type 4

During the nineteenth century, banks of industrial limekilns stood at either end of the Tardebigge tunnel on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. The kilns at the northern end of the tunnel stood alongside a winding hole at the Old Wharf and would have been built soon after construction was completed on the section of canal from Birmingham to Tardebigge in March 1807. Early in 1811 the construction of the tunnel was finally finished and it was then possible for canal boats to reach the New Wharf at the southern end. It is likely that the first three of the five limekilns at the New Wharf was built at this time. Unlike the northern section of the canal, where there were no locks to construct, the canal from Tardebigge to Worcester had numerous, (including 30 at Old Wharf the Tardebigge flight) added to which there were financial problems and delays caused by the testing of a “lift”, which, if it had been successful, would have reduced the number of locks required. In the event, the remaining section was not officially opened until December 1815. Thomas Dixon operated the limekilns at both the Old and New Wharves and upon his death in 1832, his son Thomas took on the business aided by his son, also named Thomas. When the second Thomas died in 1856, Thomas three teamed up with his brother Matthew and formed the company “T & M Dixon” (1). The Dixon’s must New Wharf have leased the wharf and limekilns for in 1868 there was an auction of dwelling houses, boats and the limekilns which had been owned by the late Thomas Hall. Included in the auction was a sheet iron covering for limekilns and one of the kilns was set for burning (2). Manufacturing lime was just one aspect of the business, along with coal and corn, and at their height the Dixon’s owned some 50 boats. However, with the railway being the preferred transport option and with motor transport starting to make an impact it was inevitable that canals could no longer compete and by the 1920’s Dixon’s owned only four boats. Nevertheless, by diversifying, the company managed to stay in business until 1972 at which point it was bought out.

There were originally three limekilns at the Old Wharf which were still working when the 1884 and 1904 ordnance survey maps were published. By the time the third edition county series maps appeared in 1927 the kilns were no longer operating. By the 1930’s there was a large piggery at the wharf and one of the limekilns had been converted into a slaughter house, another into a pig sty (3). The limekiln bank remains today and there is a depression in the ground on top with traces of brickwork that could well be the rim of a limekiln pot. At the New Wharf there were eventually five limekilns, of which much remains today. All the kilns were operating until 1901 but by 1920 only three were still working. In 2006, a detailed desk-based assessment (4) was undertaken by the Historic Environment and Archaeology Service of Worcestershire County Council on behalf of The British Waterways Board (now The Canal and River Trust) with a view to the future consolidation and conservation of the site and to create a visitor amenity. Little happened following the report, until 2013, when a group of volunteers from the “Worcester-Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society” undertook the careful removal of vegetation from the limekilns structure. Some shallow excavation has taken place to uncover the rims of the pots but whether the brickwork continues down is not yet known. It is interesting to note that the rims indicate that the pots were horseshoe shaped rather than the more conventional circular shape. Only four of the five limekilns are visible so it was not certain that the remains of the fifth kiln still existed. Therefore, an exploratory excavation took place in the autumn of 2013, which established that there are some structural remains of the fifth kiln buried beneath a mound of soil and rubble. The long-term future of this bank of limekilns is uncertain, but there does seem to be a desire to try to preserve this unique bank of limekilns.

Notes: (1) White Rev.A. 1997 “Dixon’s of Tardebigge; The History of a family Farming and Business Empire” Brewin Books (2) Worcester Journal 7 March 1868 (3) White Rev.A. 1997 “Dixon’s of Tardebigge; The History of a family Farming and Business Empire” Brewin Books (4) Vaughn T. 2006 “ The New Wharf and Lime Kilns, Tardebigge, Worcestershire” Report 1421

April 2012 August 2013

UPPER ARLEY Lime Works Site 225 376275 281346 WSM57358 Type 7

Upper Arley was part of Staffordshire until 1895 when it was transferred to Worcestershire. So at the time of the Tithe Award of 1838 it was not in Worcestershire. The Award shows the location of a Lime Works and a coal pit shed. The works were being operated by Thomas and Allen Wagstaff who were the tenants. Strictly, they were colliers according to the census returns, so the lime works may have been a side line. The land and property were in the ownership of the Rt.Hon. Earl of Mountnorris of Ireland. He died Site of Lime in 1844 and the Earldom ceased. Works

UPTON-UPON-SEVERN Limekiln Site 226 385301 240769 WSM57359 Type 7 Limekiln Site 227 385100 240760 WSM39981 Type 7

When, in 1754, R.R.Angerstein visited Upton-upon-Severn he observed a brickworks on the opposite bank of the River Severn, but made no mention of a limekiln (1). In his sketch, the brickworks can be clearly seen and there is a conicle shaped kiln which must be assumed to be a brick kiln although perhaps it could be a limekiln (see page 58). In the will of Benjamin Tyler of Upton-upon-Severn written on 19 December 1796 it states “that piece or parcel of ground on which the limekiln of the said Benjamin Tyler now stands with a piece of ground thereunto belonging now enclosed from the (brickyard) of the said Thomas Brockhurst….together with all building and appurtenances thereunto belonging” would be left to William Hall of Ryalls Court and William Proctor of Upton. Benjamin had originally leased the limekiln, but in 1795 he purchased both the kiln and the land upon which it stood. The lime kiln was, as the will states, adjacent to the brickworks owned by Thomas Brockhurst. It seems that Thomas sold the land to Benjamin as he (Benjamin) had worked for many years as a brickmaker for Thomas. The limekiln also featured on the Tithe Award of 1840 when it was in the occupation of Sarah Thorn, the owner being Samuel Thorn. A second limekiln used to stand on the town side of the river close to the old bridge. It is shown on a map of 1784 according to the information attached to WSM 39981, but as yet it has not been possible to locate the original map. According to the Lascelles & Co “Directory and Gazateer of the City of Worcester and Neighbourhood” of 1851, Bristol Lime was being sold by Samuel Coomb, a merchant in Upton, which suggests that there was not much good quality lime being produced in the area.

Note: (1) Angerstein R.R. 2001 “R.R.Angerstein’s Illustrated Travel Diary, 1753 – 1755” Science Museum

Upton-upon-Severn 1754

Upton-upon-Severn from Ryall Hill An engraving by Thomas Sanders of Worcester, 1780

WEST MALVERN

Limekiln Site 228 376360 244205 WSM39388 Type 4 Limekiln Site 229 376194 244285 WSM21120 Type 2 Lime Pitts Site 230 376765 244371 WSM57360 Type 7

One of the most intact limekilns is to be found at Park Wood, West Malvern. It is certainly the largest remaining limekiln structure in the county and no doubt the youngest as it was built in the 20th century, probably after the First World War (1). The limekiln is on land belonging to The Malvern Hills Conservators, is well maintained and has an information panel that explains how the kiln worked. Lime was being quarried in the 17th century in this area as a map circa 1632 indicates “Lime Pitte” close to Park Wood (2). The map of 1885 to the right does not of course indicate the position of the limekiln that remains today but it does show a limekiln further to the east. The draught hole for this limekiln is just visible in the undergrowth, see to right. The locations of these limekilns although in Worcestershire are on the boundary with Herefordshire. The adjacent parishes of Colwall and Mathon both had some limeburning activity, probably more so than West Malvern.

Note: (1) Goodbury V. 1993 “Report for Malvern Hills Conservators” Private (2) Map of Malvern Chase c1632 WAAS Ref: x705:24/366 BA 81/12

The 20th century limekiln at Park Wood.

WHITE LADIES ASTON

Limekiln Site 231 392587 251575 WSM57361 Type 7 Limekiln Site 232 392586 251583 WSM57361 Type 7 Limekiln Site 233 392636 251559 WSM57362 Type 7 Limekiln Site 234 392640 251560 WSM57362 Type 7 Limekiln Site 235 392645 251562 WSM57362 Type 7 Lime Kiln Ground Site 236 391191 252606 WSM57363 Type 7 The Lime Kiln Piece Site 237 392746 251529 WSM57364 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 238 392687 251619 WSM57364 Type 7

The Tithe Award of 1839 shows three plots of land with reference to limekilns, thus indicating a process that had been taking place much earlier. From the census returns we know that there must have been working limekilns in the parish in both 1861 and 1871 as two limeburners are recorded. (see Appendix B) The 1885 map (right) shows two working limekilns in White Ladies Aston. By 1904, when the O.S. Second Edition maps were published, both these kilns had been demolished. However, three other kilns had been erected and were in use.

WOLVERLEY & COOKLEY

Lime Kiln Piece Site 239 380875 282562 WSM15053 & 30188 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 240 384158 280330 WSM57365 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 241 384129 280196 WSM57365 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece (part of) Site 242 384033 280088 WSM30194 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece (part of) Site 243 383872 279966 WSM57365 Type 7 Lime Kiln Piece Site 244 380482 280697 WSM12728 Type 7 Lime Kiln Coppice Site 245 380150 281470 WSM57366 Type 7

A map of 1771 refers to Lime Kiln Coppice, which was felled in 1771 (1) as part of the estate management coppicing programme. It formed part of Birch Wood which lay on the Worcestershire/Staffordshire County boundary. In April 1817, Lime Works at Birchwood was the subject of a lease between the Dean of Worcester Cathedral, Arthur Onslow, and William Hughes of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster (2). Contained within it was the following; “All that Rock Vein or Mine of Lime Stone situate lying and being in Birchwood in the parish of Wolverley in the County of Worcester with the free liberty and licence power and authority to and for the said William Hughes his Executors Administrators and assigns from time to time and at all times during the continuance of this demise of years hereby granted to dig delve search sink and mine in and upon the said Wood called Birchwood and every and or any part thereof at his and their will and pleasure for searching and having and taking of limestone as shall be found and to follow the same and to burn or otherwise take and carry away the same and at all time during the term hereby granted or intended so to

60 be with free liberty of ingress and regress to and from the said Rock or Vein of Limestone with Servants Horses Carts and other carriages to be employed in carrying away the same” There was a Royalty rent imposed of sixpence per ton for any limestone removed from the site, whether converted into lime or not and in the event that Royalty rent totalled less than £50 per year, there would be a balance due. Further stipulations were made, such as mining activity at Birchwood must not destroy or injure the coppice and that there must be a book kept by the Dean that logged the tonnage of limestone taken out, whether burnt or not. Five years later, in 1822, the Lime Works were being sold at auction in Worcester (see right) (3). What happened to the works after that is uncertain. There is no reference to it in the 1839 Tithe Award for Wolverley and no limeburners appear in the census returns. The Ordnance Survey County Series map of 1884 shows no Lime Works or old lime kilns, so the indications are that lime ceased to be manufactured in Wolverley from the 1830’s onwards.

Notes: (1) WAAS Ref: b009:1 BA5403/20 Map 7190 (2) WAAS Ref: 009.1 BA 2602/58 Croome Estate Documents (3) Worcester Journal 21 November 1822

WORCESTER

Limekiln Site 246 384326 255041 WSM57367 Type 7 Limekiln Site 247 384323 255039 WSM57367 Type 7 Limekiln Site 248 384921 254833 WSM57368 Type 7 Limekiln Site 249 385020 256360 WSM57369 Type 7 Limekiln Site 250 384010 256520 WSM57370 Type 7

There is evidence to suggest that limeburning was taking place in Worcester during the Saxon period (1). During excavations at Deansway in 1988/89, limeburning debris was radiocarbon dated to 778- 980 cal AD and it is thought that the lime produced would have been used for mortar or tanning. Lime was being brought into Worcester, mostly from Bristol, by means of the River Severn, and at the end of the 16th century tolls were being levied for goods being unloaded at quay, including lime (2). Confirmation that lime was being brought up the Severn to Worcester comes from an action brought by Joan Chance against Edward Jeffries in the mid-seventeenth century (3). Joan’s late husband, Anthony Chance, was a lime dealer in Worcester and before his death had paid Jeffries to convey 40 barrels of lime (plus other items) from Bristol to Worcester. This delivery did not take place hence the court action. Several warehouses sprung up alongside the Severn as river trade increased and in 1777 one particular warehouse, where lime was being stored, flood water entered and the reaction when the water came into contact with the lime caused it to combust and a fire resulted. Fortunately the fire was extinguished before any major damage occurred (4). The one limekiln site in Worcester whose location is certain is the one that was wedged between Hinton Lane (now known as Hylton Road) and the river. An Indenture of 1811 between William Hill and William Smith (5) contained the following paragraph; 61

“All that the aforesaid Brewhouse, Malthouse, Stables with the yard, Wharf, Lime Kiln, Limehouse, Outbuildings and other the Premises thereto belonging situate lying and being in the Parish of St. Clement within the City of Worcester where they the said William Hill and William Smith lately carried on together in partnership the trades or the business of Porter and Beer Brewers and Lime Burners having the River Severn on the East side thereof a certain highway leading from Worcester to Hallow commonly called Hinton Lane on the West side thereof a piece of pleasure ground in the occupation of the said William Hill on the North end thereof and certain premises belonging to the Corporation of Worcester in the occupation of Robert Evans on the South end thereof and containing in length from North to South on the West side thereof 155 feet and in length from North to South on the East side thereof 150 feet….”

In 1822 one John Cropper, a Limeburner of St.Clements, Worcester was declared insolvent and was classed as a debtor (6). Whether he was connected to the Hinton Lane site is not clear. By 1824 William Smith himself had become a bankrupt and his property, including the lime kiln, was the subject of an auction (7) (see right). Thomas Smith and Richard Amphlett entered into a contract with Nathaniel Mence for the sale of the property on 21st January 1824 but the agreement for the sale was not finalised until 21st January 1827 by which time William Smith had died and Thomas Smith and Richard Amphlett were still the Assignees of his affairs. The property sold for £1800. Limeburners in Hinton Lane are recorded in the census returns and trade directories in the 19th century. John Clarke was at the Hinton Lane limekiln in 1835 but was a bricklayer by 1841. John Norman was also at Hinton Lane in 1835 and remained there as a limeburner until his death in

1866. It seems his son George took over from him as he was recorded as a Limeburner in 1869, but alas he died in 1870. There was a court case regarding the Hinton Lane site that took place in 1857 and which was reported in great detail in the Worcester Journal at the time (8). Hinton Lane was by then referred to as Hylton Street and the case involved Richard Cooper, a general dealer who was seeking increased compensation from the Worcester and Hereford Railway Company. The railway company was formed in 1853 to construct a line between Worcester and Hereford and the bridge being built over the Severn crossed over the southern end of the limekiln site (see plan overleaf) which meant that Mr Cooper would lose much of his property and would therefore find it difficult to carry on with his coal and lime business. The fact that limeburners were still being employed there until at least 1870 shows that the business did survive. However, competition from the railway itself may have put paid to the business. Both plans on the following page show not one limekiln but two, unfortunately neither of the plans are dated although the one showing the railway must have been drawn after 1863 when the Great Western Railway Company took over the railway.

Unlimited quantities of lime were being brought in by rail to Henwick Station in St. Johns where a store had been built for storing and supplying lime both for building and agricultural use (9).

At least two other limekiln sites are known to have existed within the city. In 1843, a large house with a coal yard, wharf and limekiln was available to let at Pope Iron, Barbourne. The advertisement stated that a large and profitable trade had been carried on there (10). The other limekiln site was adjoining the Canal Bridge at the back of St. Georges Square which is mentioned in an advertisement of 1842 (11).

Notes: (1) Dalwood H. and Edwards R. “Excavations at Deansway, Worcester 1988-89” Research Report 139 (2) Dyer A.D. 1976 “ The City of Worcester in the Sixteenth Century” Leicester University Press (3) Hughes P. Private Thesis (4) Worcester Journal 22 November 1777 (5) WAAS Ref: 496.5 BA9360/CAB11/6/65 Croome Estate Documents (6) Worcester Journal 24 January 1822 (7) Worcester Journal 15 January 1824 (8) Worcester Journal 7 March 1857 (9) Worcester Journal 3 June 1865 (10) Worcester Journal 16 February 1843 (11) Worcester Journal 1 June 1842

APPENDIX A

GEORGE HUNT

Builder and Architect of Evesham

Limekiln owner at Offenham

George Hunt owned limekilns in the parish of Offenham, on the south side of the Littleton and Badsey Railway Station. He probably purchased the site in the 1860’s and retained ownership until his death in 1917. However, the limeworks were just a small part of his business, as he was a builder and architect based in Evesham. Born on the 14th October 1826 at Aldington, the eldest son of Solomon and Maria Hunt. Solomon was a builder with businesses in Evesham and Harvington. George went to school in Evesham and later attended a private school in Ross-on-Wye where he undertook a two year course. He then returned to Evesham to assist his father in his business until he was twenty years of age at which point he went to London to study Architecture and Building. He was only there for a little over a year before returning to his father’s business. In 1854, George decided that it was time to strike out on his own. He was seemingly successful and three years later actually took on his father’s business as well. His builders yard was sited by the river, adjacent to the Workman Bridge, thus he had the benefit of accessible road and river transport close at hand. George also owned a yard in Merstow Green in Evesham that manufactured drainage pipes, a brickyard at Bengeworth and the limeworks at Blackminster. All these products were sold through his business and the profit he was making enabled him in 1865 to design and build the imposing “Avon View”(see right) on the land he owned near the Workman Bridge. George Hunt carried out the architectural design and building works for many important buildings in the area. Amongst them were railway stations, church restorations, the Infirmary at Evesham Hospital (1), and the six storey Foster Brothers Oil & Cake Mill at Bakers Quay in Gloucester Docks (2). His bid to build the Workman Bridge in 1856 did not come to fruition as his price was too high. He was obviously regarded in high esteem amongst his peers as in 1881 he was asked to visit several principal cities in the USA to report on various estates on behalfAvon of View a Land Investment Syndicate. George served on Evesham Town Council for many years first as an auditor then as a Town Councillor. He was elected as Alderman in 1892 and Mayor two years later. In 1897, along with other

65 mayors from all over the country, he went to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Victoria who was celebrating her Diamond Jubilee. Whilst mayor he also made great efforts to reopen the navigation of the River Avon from Tewkesbury to Stratford but without success. He died in January 1917 at the age of 90, with the funeral procession starting at Avon View and making its way through the town to All Saints Church of which he had been a member. In his will made on the 19th August 1915 (3), his brickyard at Bengeworth, the lime and quarry business at Blackminster (plus horses, carts and railway trucks) were to be offered to George Nicklin (his wife’s nephew) for £500 and he had 28 days to either accept or decline the offer following George Hunts death. There is no evidence to indicate that the offer was taken up.

Note: Main source – Evesham Journal & Four Shires Advertiser 13th January 1917 (1) Pevsner N. 1968 Worcestershire: The Buildings of England Penguin (2) Verney D. and Brooks A. 2002 The Buildings of England Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds Yale University Press (3) WAAS Ref: Wills – Hunt, George 19 Aug. 1915

APPENDIX B

Lime Burners in Worcestershire

Compiled from Census Records and County Directories

Alfrick

William Boswell (Lime Burner 1851) Born in Alfrick in 1796 and baptised on the 25th August that year. In 1851 he was a lime burner in Alfrick and was a widower. Ten years later he owned a 20 acre farm at Brownings Acre in Alfrick.

Astley

Joseph Morris (Lime Stone Miner 1841 and 1851) Born in Abberley in 1791and baptised on the 9th September of that year, he was living with his wife Esther at Lime Kiln House in 1841 with two sons and two daughters, but he did not have a profession recorded against his name. His age was given as 40 and although the ages of adults were rounded to the nearest 5, his age was someway off. In the 1851 census the couple were still living at Lime Kiln House but this time he had a profession Ten years later the couple were living in Yarhampton, very close to the Shavers End quarry where there was a lime kiln, but by this time he was recorded as an agricultural labourer.

Aldington

Joseph Gould (Limeburner 1861) Born in Offenham in 1814 and baptised on 6th March 1814, he was an agricultural labourer in 1851 in Offenham. He seemed to have remained a bachelor all his life and in 1861 he was lodging in Aldington in 1861 where he was a Limeburner. By 1881 he was an agricultural labourer, still lodging in Aldington. He died in 1886.

Broughton Hackett

Samuel Cormell (Limeburner 1840’s) When his death was recorded in the Worcester Journal his profession was given as limeburner. He was 64 years of age and died on the 22 January 1849. He was born in Ripple, married Sarah and had several children including Edwin, George, Hannah, Jane and Harriet. The 1841 census shows that Samuel and his family were living in Ripple and that he was an agricultural labourer. A year later the 1842 edition of Bentley’s Directory of Worcestershire records Samuel as a farmer. 67

George Cormell (Lime Burner 1851) Baptised on 12 December 1824 at Ripple. Married Elizabeth and was a lime burner in 1851.

William Barley (Lime Burner 1851) Baptised on 10 February 1805 at Grafton Flyford. Married Ann and was a limeburner in Broughton Hacket in 1851 but became an agricultural labourer in 1861, 1871 and 1881. He died in 1883.

John Hinton (Lime Burner 1841 & 1849) Born around 1791 and married to Ann, he was recorded as a lime burner in Broughton Hacket in 1841. He died on the 22nd March 1849 according to the Worcester Journal of 29th March at which time he was still a limeburner.

George Read (Lime Burner 1871 and Labourer in Lime Works 1881) Born in Broughton Hacket in 1833 married to Hannah. A lime burner in 1871 and working as a labourer ten years later in the lime works.

William Read (Lime Merchant 1881) Baptised on 10 June 1804 in Upton Snodsbury. Was an agricultural labourer in 1851 and 1871 in Broughton Hacket, but had become a lime merchant by 1881. He was listed in The Littlebury’s Directory of 1879 as a lime burner. His grandson, William Rendall was working with him as a lime servant? William died in 1887.

James Chandler (Lime Burner 1879) Listed in the “Littlebury’s Directory of 1879” and the “General and Topographical Directory of Worcestershire 1881”as a Lime Burner.

Cleeve Prior

John Smith Holtom , Executors of. (Lime Burner 1896 -1908) Listed in Kelly’s County Directory for 1896, 1900, 1904 and 1908. Born in 1836, son of owner of Cleeve Manor, he was a miller in Cleeve Prior according to the 1861,1871 and 1881census’. He married Anne in 1872 and they had at least 3 children. He died on 30 August 1890 and the executors of his estate, his brother William and friend John Davis, continued with his lime business for several years afterwards. According to John Smith Holtom’s will the executors would eventually have to sell the business and share the proceeds out amongst his children.

Great Malvern

John Roberts (Lime Burner 1892 - 1904) Listed in Kelly’s County Directories in 1892, 1896, 1900 and 1904.

Derrington & Sons (Lime Burners & Merchants, 1904 – 1940) Based at the Midland Railway Sidings in Great Malvern and listed in the Kelly’s Directories continuously between those years.

Great Witley

Thomas Edward (Lime Burner’s Labourer 1861) Born in Abberley and baptised on the 25th February 1840, he was a lodger at a cottage on Walsgrove Farm in Great Witley in 1861. It is likely, given the close proximity of the limekilns on the Abberley Estate that he was working there. 68

Hill Croome

William Williams (Lime Burner 1841, 1855 and 1861) Born in Wales around 1781, he married Elizabeth and in 1841 was a limeburner living at Moat Farm, Hill Croome. Ten years later he was a farmer and stone mason in Hill and was employing eight labourers. William was listed as a Limeburner in 1855 in the Billings County Directory. One of his sons, William, was also a stone mason, presumably working for his father. By 1861 William (Senior) was once again a lime burner, as was his son William (Junior). The family were living at Baughton which is part of Hill Croome, William(Snr) now being 80 years old and Elizabeth 84. It is thought he died in 1867.

William Williams (Lime Burner 1861 and 1871) Son of William and Elizabeth Williams, born in Upton-upon-Severn but baptised in Worcester on 28th November 1819. He married Mary Ann Nicholls on 11th July 1841 at Bristol and they had five children (Thomas, Anne, Eliza, Sarah and George). In 1851 William was a stone mason working for his father but in 1861 he was a lime burner living in Baughton. In 1871 he was still a lime burner living in Baughton but he died in 1878. So in 1881 Ann was a widower but continued to run the farm 26 acres at Baughton Hill. In 1891 Ann was no longer living and the farm was in Thomas’s hands, one of her sons.

Ann Williams (Lime Burner 1879 and Farmer) Born around 1818 at Berkeley near Bristol, she became the wife of William Williams. She was a widow when the 1879 Littlebury’s Directory was published and although she was described as a Limeburner it is unlikely that she actually carried out the process herself, it was more likely that one of her sons, Thomas or George, did that.

Himbleton

William Drinkwater (Lime Burner 1871) Baptised on the 27th February 1814 in Huddington. Married Jane on 25th November 1831. He was an agricultural labourer in 1851 and 1861, a lime burner in 1871 but was a labourer again in 1881. Died in 1895.

William Gould (Lime Burner 1881 and 1891) Baptised 7th August 1842 at Oddingley at 17 he was a labourer in Crowle. Married to Mary with whom they had six children at least. In 1881 he was a lime burner and a stone raiser. In 1891 he was still a limeburner and still living in Himbleton. In 1911 he was a stone delver in a quarry with his son.

Paul Burton (Lime Burner 1871, 1891and 1901) Baptised 4th February 1844 in Himbleton. In 1861 he was a labourer in but was a lime burner in 1871 in Oddingley [1871 census; Oddingley; District 4 page 4]. By 1881 he was back in Himbleton as a labourer but was a limeburner again in 1891 and 1901. He married Mary and they had five children. By 1911 he was a farmer in Oddingley and he died in 1918.

Thomas Knight (Lime Burner 1871 and Limestone getter 1901) Baptised at Himbleton on 1st November 1829. He was a labourer in 1841, 1851, 1861 1881 and 1891. In 1871 he was a lime burner living at Saleway having married Elizabeth on 15th December 1851. In 1901 he was a limestone getter, living in Himbleton.

Alfred Goddard (Lime Burner 1892 – 1896) (See Tibberton for more information about Alfred) Listed in the Kelly’s County Directory in 1892 and 1896 as a lime burner. 69

Martley

John Hancox (Lime Burner 1841) Born in 1811 by 1841 he was a lime burner living at Hillside, Martley with his wife Mary and a one year old daughter, Ann. In 1851, Mary was a widower having to take in two lodgers to give her an income.

John Cooper (Lime Burner 1841) Born in 1796. In 1841 he was living at Martley Turnpike with his wife Caroline, and their seven children. John was the subject of a court case in January 1848 (See Appendix E; Martley) where there was some dispute over whether Mr Downes of Herefordshire had actually received a load of lime that he had paid for. The matter was settled out of court. John probably died early in 1851.

John Farmer (Lime Burner 1851, 1855, 1871 and 1881) Born in 1811 in Martley and married to Susannah a gloveress. In 1841 he was an agricultural labourer living with his wife in Martley. In 1851 they lived at Martley Hillside, and was listed as a Limeburner in the Billings 1855 County Directory. By the time of the next census in 1861 he was an agricultural labourer, he was recorded as a lime burner in 1871 and 1881 and was still at Martley Hillside. In 1891 he was living with his wife on their own means at Martley Hillside.

Bartholomew Nott (Lime Burner 1851) Born in Martley in 1806 and living at Martley Hillside in 1851. Ten years later he was an agricultural labourer.

John Eaton (Lime Burner 1851) Born in 1792 at Martley and was living at Martley Hillside in 1851.

Isaac Eaton (Lime Burner 1851] Born in 1835 in Martley, son of William Eaton. In 1861 Isaac was living at home with his parents but there is no occupation against his name. He died in 1863 aged 28.

William Whitty (Lime Burner 1851, 1861and 1871) Born in 1817 in Grimley, living at Mill End Bridge, Martley in 1851 with Sarah his wife and three children. In 1861 he was a limeburner and the parish constable, living near Hillend Farm with his second wife Susan and two children. In 1871 he was a lime burner but not a parish constable, living at the Turnpike in Martley with Ann, his third wife and four children.

William Eaton (Lime Burner 1851) Born in Shelsley in 1794, baptised 10th August 1794 at Martley, and living at Martley Hillside in 1841 working as an agricultural labourer, by 1851 he was still at Martley Hillside with his wife Susannah and four children, including Isaac, but now he was a lime burner. By 1861 he was a farmer, still at Hillside.

John Eaton (Lime Burner 1851) Born in Martley in 1802 and living at Martley Hillside with his wife Sarah (nee Peach) and three sons, Thomas, John and William, all of whom were lime burners. By 1861 he was an agricultural labourer but still at Martley Hillside.

Thomas Eaton (Lime Burner 1851, 1871, 1881 and 1891) Born in Martley in 1825, son of John Eaton. A Limeburner in 1851 and in 1860 he was working at a limekiln in Martley. We know this because he was named in a court case 70 incident that took place at limekilns in Martley owned by the Gould family(Worcester Chronicle; 5 December 1860). However, just a few months later, in the 1861 census, he was recorded as an agricultural labourer and living at Martley Hillside with his parents. In 1871 he was a lime burner once again and living with his mother Sarah at Hillside. In 1881 and 1891 he was still living at Hillside with just his brother Benjamin, both of them lime burners.

John Eaton (Lime Burner 1851) Born in Great Witley in 1827, son of John Eaton.

William Eaton (Lime Burner 1851) Born in Great Witley in 1828, son of John Eaton.

Richard Richard (Lime Burner 1861) Born in Martley in 1830 and living at Horn Turnpike in 1861 with his wife Elizabeth and their two daughters.

Josiah Whitty (Lime Burner 1881) Born in Martley in 1824, he was living at Hillside Cottage in 1881 with his wife Eliza and two children. He died in June 1890 at work at his limekiln – see Appendix E for newspaper cutting.

Benjamin Eaton (Lime Burner 1871, 1881 and 1891) Son of John and Sarah Eaton baptised in Martley on February 3rd 1839, at school in 1851, and agricultural labourer in 1861 and living with his mother and brother Thomas at Hillside in 1871 In 1881 he was still living at Hillside with just his brother Thomas, both of them lime burners. Similarly in 1891 the two brothers were still living together on Martley Hillside and both were still carrying out limeburning. By 1901 Benjamin was a labourer in the quarry and ten years later, even though he was 72 years of age, he was still working in the quarry as a delver (a digger). It is thought that Benjamin died in 1918.

Martin Cooper (Lime Burner 1881) Born in Martley in 1820 and lodging at Hillend Cottage in 1881 where he was a lime burner.

Richard Gould (Lime Burner 1891) Born in Martley in 1846, he was living at Prickly Green in 1881 where he was a stone miner. By 1891 he was living at Martley Hillside where he was a lime burner. Ten years later he was a labourer in a stone quarry, still living at Martley Hillside and in 1911 he was still doing the same job even though he was 68 years old.

Note: No lime burners in 1901 census for Martley.

Stephen Wall (Lime Burner 1911, 1912 – 1940) Listed in all the Kelly’s County Directories between 1912 and 1940. Born in Shelsley Beauchamp in 1881 and was married to Ellen in 1904. They had two children by 1911. He was recorded as a limeburner in 1911 and had a limestone quarryman, George Holmes, lodging with him and his family. It is probable that Stephen died in 1956.

Naunton

Reece Williams (Lime Burner 1841) Born in Builth Wells in 1799 and married Sarah from Ripple in Worcestershire. He leased a limestone quarry in Strensham which was about one kilometre east of his home in 71

Naunton. In 1851 he was recorded as employing 11 labourers and 3 masons, presumably they were all working at the quarry just north of Ley Farm. In a valuation carried out in 1853, Reece Williams was running two limekilns and some ancillary building at the quarry. By 1861 he was described as a retired Limeburner.

North Littleton

George Aldington (Lime Burner 1861) Baptised in South Littleton on 28th February 1796, he was landlord at the Fish and Anchor, Offenham in 1861 whilst also being a lime burner and coal merchant. His son George had taken over the pub by 1871 but there is no reference to lime burning. Norton juxta Kempsey

George Watson (Lime Burner 1855) Born in Little Malvern and baptised on the 24 May 1818, George was the son of William and Martha Watson. By 1851 he was a stone mason living in Hill Croome employing 10 men. He would no doubt have known William Williams, also a stone mason living in Hill Croome.(see Hill Croome) Both men later became limeburners, William at Baughton Hill, Hill Croome and George at Norton-juxta-Kempsey. In the 1855 Billings Directory of Worcestershire George Watson is listed as a lime manufacturer, quarryman and beer retailer at The Retreat public house in Norton. He is still there in 1861 according to the census but ten years later he is living at Sheldon Farm high up on Bredon Hill in the Parish of Overbury. Never one to stay anywhere very long, George was the landlord at the Crown Inn, Eckington by 1881. His wife, Mary, died in 1882 and George died on 16th April 1889 aged 70. A headstone bears testimony to the fact that they are buried in Eckington Churchyard.

Offenham

Wilson Allchurch (Lime Burner 1871) Born in South Littleton in 1843 and baptised on the 14th May that year, he was a lime burner at the age of 27 living in Blackminster, Offenham. It was next door to a quarry at Blackminster Farm. He was married to Mary in 1869 and they had one year old twin daughters.

George Aldington (Lime Burner 1891) Born in North Littleton in 1834 and baptised on 26th October that year, he was a publican in 1871 at The Fish and Anchor where coincidentally there were lime kilns adjacent to the pub. (His father had been the publican at the Fish and Anchor in 1861 and was a lime burner as well at that time). Ten years later George junior was a gardener in South Littleton and by 1891 he was a lime burner living at Blackminster Cottage in Offenham with his wife Eliza and three children. It is likely George died in 1892.

Charles H. Heywood (Lime Burner 1901) Born in North Littleton in 1869 and baptised on the 21st November that year, he was living next door to George Aldington in 1891 at Blackminster Cottage at which time he was an agricultural labourer. In 1901 he was a limestone burner living with his wife Ruth and 7 children at Westbury Cottage near the railway station. It is likely that he died in 1939.

Edwin Knight (Lime Burner 1911) Born in Offenham in 1885, to parents George and Sarah Knight. The family lived at Bennetts Hill Farm where George was a Farm Bailiff. Two of Edwins brothers, James and

Henry were stone quarry men at the farm in 1901. At the time of the 1911 census Edwin was married to Lilian and they had two young boys. Edwin died in 1929.

George Hunt (Lime Burner 1884 – 1916) See Appendix A Listed in Kelly’s County Directories in 1884, 1892, 1896, 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912 and 1916. George Hunt was not actually a Limeburner but he owned the Lime Kilns. George Hunt was principally an architect, but also was a builder and brick manufacturer in Evesham. He died in in 1917 aged 90, and the lime manufacturing business may have passed to Mr Nicklin who had an option to buy it.

Pirton

James Harcourt (Lime Burner 1921) Listed in Kelly’s Directory of 1921.

Thomas Williams (Lime Burner 1904 – 1912) Son of Ann and William Williams of Hill Croome born in 1845 and baptised on 10th August that year in Tewkesbury. He married Matilda (of Ripple) and ran the farm at Baughton, Hill Croome. It would seem that he leased the Lime Kilns on the Croome Estate as he was listed as a Limeburner there in the Kelly’s County Directories of 1904, 1908 and 1912. (See Hill Croome)

George Williams (Lime Burner 1916 – 1924) Son of Ann and Wiliam Williams of Hill Croome and born around 1861 in Hill Croome. He married Martha of Hill Croome around 1896 and they had at least eight children. In 1901 George was recorded as being a shepherd but he was listed a Limeburner in Kelly’s County Directories of 1916, 1921 and 1924.

Croome Estate Trustees (Lime Burners 1928 – 1940) Listed in the Kelly’s County Directory for 1928, 1932, 1936 and 1940.

Shelsley Beauchamp

Thomas Sheppard (Limeburner 1901) Born in 1858 in Shelsley Beauchamp, it would seem that Thomas did not marry but lived with his parents on the Martley Hillside road until they died. In 1881 he was an agricultural labourer, by 1891 he was a game-keeper and ten years later he was a self-employed limeburner boarding at Fetlocks Farm on the Martley Hillside road

Stoulton

James Chandler (Lime Merchant 1871 and 1881) James was born in Ripple in 1823. In 1851 he was a stone mason in Naunton, near Ripple. Ten years later he was a miller in Ripple. By 1871 he had become a Lime Merchant at the Lime Works in Stoulton and was married to Eliza. He was still a Lime Merchant in 1881 but had moved to the neighbouring village of White Ladies Aston. It is likely that James died in 1885.

Suckley

William Jones (Lime Burner 1841) Born in 1790 and baptised on the 7th March that year at Alfrick church. He was a lime burner at the time of the 1841 census and was living at Bush in Suckley with his wife,Mary, and three children. Ten years later he was an agricultural labourer living at Rouse Castle, Suckley and in 1861 he was a farm baliff living at Hall House, Suckley. Edward Boswell (Lime Burner 1871 and 1881) Born in 1821 in Alfrick, in 1851 he was an agricultural labourer living in Suckley and in 1861 he was still an agricultural labourer but now lodging in Alfrick. In 1871, when a limeburner, he was living at Yew Tree Hall and in 1881 he was lodging at Black House in Suckley.

George Lloyd (Lime Burner 1871) Born in 1809 in Alfrick and baptised on 25th November that year, in 1861 he was a cooper by trade. By 1871 he was a lime burner, and was lodging at Yew Tree Hall with Edward Boswell.

William Perkins (Lime Burner 1871) Born in 1835 but states England as his birthplace. In 1861 he was an agricultural labourer but in 1871, when a lime burner, he was living at “Old Land Cottage” in Suckley with Sarah his wife and three children.

James Kennard (Lime Burner 1879, Beer Retailer, Baker and Farmer) Born in Brockhampton near Bromyard on16th August 1840 and married to Mary Anne. In the 1881 census he was recorded just as a Beer House Keeper.

James Lane (Lime Burner 1881) Born in 1816 in Suckley and baptised on 30th May that year , by 1851 he was an agricultural labourer living in Suckley, in 1861 he was an agricultural labourer living in Cradley. In 1881 he was a lime burner living in Suckley but in 1891 he was back to being an agricultural labourer and still living in Suckley at the age of 74.

Tibberton

Rawson Henry Godard (Lime Burner and Farmer 1879) Born in Naunton Beachamp in around 1839, (his father was William Godard, born in Eckington) he became a farmer at Evelench Farm, Tibberton where he had 575 acres of land and employed 14 labourers and 3 boys. He married Ann and is recorded as a farmer and lime burner in the Littlebury’s Directory of 1879. Rawson later moved to Worcester to become a Commission Agent working in seeds for Edward Webb and Sons. He died in 1922.

Alfred William Godard (Lime Manufacturer 1881) Born in Naunton Beachamp in 1842 and brother to Rawson, he was a corn broker in 1871 in Oddingley. By 1881 he was a brick manufacturer and lime manufacturer employing 6 labourers in the latter. He also had two boatmen so he could transport both the bricks and lime quite easily. In the 1879 edition of Littleury’s Directory he was recorded as having a Lime and Stone Works in Himbleton and in 1891 he was listed as a stone and lime merchant with his son Cyril being an assistant lime merchant. Ten years later he was a brick burner, but by then had moved to Bolsover in Derbyshire and by 1911 he was a sub- postmaster, still in Bolsover.

Tutnall and Cobley

Thomas Hall (Coal and Lime Dealer 1851 and 1861) Thomas was born in 1799 in Halesowen. By 1851 he was a widower living at the New Wharf at Tardebigge where he employed 4 men as labourers to help him in his business. He was still at New Wharf House in 1861 with a housekeeper, still dealing in coal and lime but he probably died in 1867.

Noah Knight (Coal and Lime Dealer 1871) Born in 1821 in Samborne, Warwickshire and baptised at Coughton on 13th July of that year. He later married Charlotte from Feckenham and in 1861 was a grocer and coal dealer at Grange Wharf in Tutnall . In 1871, they were still living at Grange Wharf, where they had two sons and a daughter with them, however, now he was a coal and lime dealer. By the time of the next census in 1881 he was only a coal dealer, but still at Grange Wharf. It is thought he died in 1889. (Did he take over from Thomas Hall? And where is Grange Wharf?)

Thomas Worgin (Lime Burner 1871) He was born in Hinton, Gloucestershire in 1838 and was married to Harriet. In 1871 he and his family were living at the New Wharf, Tardebigge.

Charles Avery (Lime Burner 1891) Born in 1819 in Tardebigge and christened on 13 July 1819 at St. Bartholomews Church in Tardebigge, overlooking the canal wharf. In 1851 he was a warehouseman in Redditch, by 1861 he was a wharf labourer living in Burcott Lane, Tutnall, as yet unmarried. In 1871 he was a labourer living in Hewell Lane with his wife Hannah and three children. At the time he was a lime burner, in 1891, he was aged 72 and living with his daughter Eliza Jane. Charles died in 1891 a few weeks after the census.

Upton-upon-Severn

Benjamin Tyler (Lime Burner 1795) Benjamin bought the plot of land with the limekiln on from Thomas Brockhurst and which was on the east side of Upton Bridge, to the south side of the road. The sale document states “that piece or parcel of ground on which the limekiln of the said Benjamin Tyler now stands with a piece of ground thereunto belonging now enclosed from the (brickyard) of the said Thomas Brockhurst….together with all building and appurtenances thereunto belonging” It would seem that Benjamin died shortly after this as his will was proved in January 1797.

West Malvern

John Bright (Lime Burner 1851) Born in Colwall in 1773 in Colwall, he was a widower, aged 78, living at The Beacon on the Malvern Hills in 1861.

White Ladies Aston

John Stanton Allsup (Lime Burner 1861) Born in White ladies Aston and baptised on 8th June 1823. In 1841 he was working in a mill at Peopleton. Ten years later he was a Miller at Huddiington, with his 14 year old brother assisting him. By 1861 he was a lime burner and was living at home with his parents at Sneachill in White Ladies Aston. By 1871 his father must have died, because John was living 75 with his mother at the Crown Inn at Sneachill and they were still there in 1881. It is thought John died in 1889.

George Millicheap (Lime Burner 1871) Baptised on the 19th November 1815 at White Ladies Aston. He was living at Lower Aston in 1871 with his wife Mary and five children and was recorded as a lime burner. By 1881 he was a farmer and owned 10 acres of land in the village. He died in 1900.

Worcester

John Cropper (Lime Burner 1822) John Cropper, a Limeburner of St.Clements, Worcester, was registered as an Insolvent Debtor in 1822. (Berrows Worcester Journal 24 January 1822)

John Clarke (Lime Burner 1835) He operated at Hylton Street close to the north side of the railway viaduct (although that had not been built at that time). In the 1841 census he was a bricklayer but still lived in Hylton Street and was aged 45.

John Norman (Lime Burner 1835 – 1865) Born in Worcester and baptised at the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel on the 26th August 1789. He married Margaret, and he operated at Hylton Street, Worcester at the same lime kilns as John Clarke. In the 1841 census he was recorded as a coal dealer, but he was also operating as a lime burner at the same yard alongside the River Severn. In both the 1851 and 1861 census’ he was recorded as a lime burner in Hylton Street, Worcester. In commercial directories John Norman was listed as a lime burner in 1835, 1851, 1855 and 1865. He died in 1866.

George Norman (Lime Burner 1869) Almost certainly the son of John and Margaret Norman, he was baptised on 1st April 1825 in the parish of St. Clements, St.Johns, Worcester. In the 1861 census he was living with his father in Hylton Street but was a painter by trade. By 1869 George was listed in a trade directory as a lime burner. He died in 1870.

APPENDIX C

CROOME ESTATE ACCOUNT BOOKS B705:73 BA14450 Boxes 160 – 169

1720/21 Pirton – For halling a Load of Lime from Croome to Pirton 1s. 6d

1722/23 Pirton – Allowed Walter Stone for halling 1 load of lime from ye kiln 2s. 6d

1723/24 Pirton – For halling 1 load of lime from the Kiln 2s. 6d

1728/29 Pirton – Pd. Thomas Loach setting 2 Lime Kilns 2 days 2s. 6d

1730/31 Pd. Thomas Loach for digging a Half Pit of stone in Pirton Field £2.0s.0d.

1732/33 Pd. Edward Beard for 4 tun of small coal to burn lime 18s.0d

Pd. Thomas Loach for digging a half pitt of stone at Pirton Quarry £2.0s.0d.

1738/39 Received for 175 bushels of lime £2.3s. 9d

1741/42 Croome D’Abitot - Pd. Phillip Mason for getting stone and burning lime 8s.0d

1758 Owner Benjamin Walker for Smiths Coal, Lime and Tar £3.1s.6d

1767 Pd. Job Ashwell for setting eight kilns of lime at Pirton £1.0s.0d.

1770 Pd. 3 bills for Bristol Lime £2.6s.9d

1772 Pd. A bill for coal for burning lime and raising stone £3.12s.0d

1774 Pd. Mr Thomas Farley a bill for Bath Stone and Bristol Lime £12.8s.9d.

1776 Paid Mr Farley a bill for both stone and Bristol Lime £15.1s.9d.

1783 Pd Mr Farley for Bath Stone, Bristol Lime and sand from Stourport £29.1s.6d.

Pd Mr Farley for Bristol Lime Dealer etc £7.5s.1d.

1785 Pd. Mr Farley his bill for Bath Stone and Bristol Lime £42.10s.0d.

1785 Pd. Southall Bayley for Bristol Lime for Dairy

1809 Pirton - Allowed George Lock the like of a bile (bill) for coals to burn lime and for raising stone £4.7s.6d

APPENDIX D

The Himbleton Tramroads

The Proposed Canal Branch from Himbleton to Upton Snodsbury and Broughton Hackett

The Proposed Worcester and Broom Railway (via Himbleton)

The Worcester and Birmingham Canal, which passed through the north of the parish of Himbleton, was fully opened in December 1815. In order to take advantage of the benefits of this new transport system and to serve the nearby limestone quarries, between 1819 and 1821 the canal company entered into discussions with Mr Edward Presdee, the owner of one of the quarries in Himbleton, to install a tramroad from his quarry to the canal.(1) Mr Presdee’s quarry was producing 150 tons of limestone per week and he was offering the canal company 3d per ton per mile to convey his limestone to the canal, provided that the canal company bore the cost of installing and maintaining the tramroad. Mr Presdee would also have to pay for coal to be brought in on the tramroad so that there was fuel available for his limekilns. Such a tramroad could also have served other quarries in the parish but in the end this scheme was deemed not to be a viable proposition because of the sort-term leases on the quarries and was therefore duly abandoned. Soon after the tramroad proposal, another scheme was being considered. (2) In 1825, Henry Jacobs, a Birmingham surveyor, submitted his plans to the proprietors for a four and a half mile branch section of canal from Himbleton to Upton Snodsbury with a branch connection to Broughton Hackett. It was proposed that both branches would terminate at the Turnpike Road that linked Worcester and Alcester. (3) The following extract from a magazine dated February 1826 (4) records some of the details of the submission. “….A general meeting of the proprietors of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal was held recently at Birmingham, when a report was presented stating an increase of the trade and income, and a diminution of expenditure, in the half year ending on the 30th November. It was stated that the tonnages might be materially augmented by cutting a branch of about four miles in length, from Himbleton to Upton Snodsbury (the expense of which would not exceed £10,000) through a county abounding in excellent lime estimated to contain 6000 tons per square acre for many miles in extent beginning with a quarter of a mile of the present canal and about a mile from Droitwich. It is well known that there is much difficulty in obtaining lime for agricultural purposes, both in the neighbourhood of Worcester and on other parts of the line, which could be obviated by the proposed branch, beside which the country would, by this means, be better supplied with coal …” The W&B Canal Co. shareholders approved of the plan which was then deposited at the office of the Clerk of the Peace on the 30th November 1825. A bill was also sought from Parliament in order that the scheme could proceed. However, the chairman of the House of Lords Committee who dealt with such bills,

Lord Shaftesbury, wanted to do a deal which would have adversely affected the well-being of the main canal and so the canal company dropped the proposal. (5) By 1831 attention reverted back to providing a horse drawn tramroad which would serve the quarries of Himbleton, including one at Saleway Farm, and this time the plan did come to fruition (6). The tramroad was laid and a canal basin was constructed on the east side of the canal just north of the Dunhampstead Tunnel, where the boats could be loaded and off-loaded. It measured 25 yards by 10 yards and could accommodate 4 canal boats at a time. The tramroad was ready for use in January 1833. However, matters conspired against the tramroad, as certainly by 1850 it had been abandoned and the tracks removed, possibly because the quarries were exhausted, but more likely its demise was due to the construction of the Birmingham to Gloucester railway line in 1840, as a station was built less than half a mile away at Dunhampstead. The original proposed route of the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway, in November 1835, lay to the west side of the canal and so there would have been no station at Dunhampstead. However, in April 1836, a revised route was proposed running close to the east side of the canal. In fact the railway line ran adjacent to the east side of the canal basin and in doing so, severed the tramroad. Therefore, as part of the accommodation works, a tunnel had to be provided under the railway. The arrival of the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway meant that it was now in direct competition with the canal and, as so often happened, trade shifted to the railway and the tramroad fell into disuse. Although the station opened as both a passenger and freight station in 1841, it ceased serving as the former in 1855 but continued with freight until 1949. (7) The tramroad tunnel was filled in during the 1980’s (8) and there is now no trace of the canal basin, as that also has been filled in. Himbleton could have been affected by yet another scheme, as in 1881 there was a proposal to construct a 16 mile length of railway between Worcester and Broom in Warwickshire. This line was destined to pass through Himbleton in an east/west direction, no doubt in order to benefit from conveying coal to the limekilns and transporting the resultant lime away. The Worcester and Broom Railway Act was passed in 1885 (9) but it was not until 1892 that a plan was finally deposited with the Clerk of the Peace (10). The route had been modified and it was now proposed that the line started at Diglis Basin in Worcester and then passed through Whittington, Upton Snodsbury, Grafton Flyford, Kington and on to Broom where it would connect to the Redditch to Evesham line. Therefore Himbleton would have been bypassed, but in the event the line did not come to fruition, as in 1894 a bill for the abandonment of the Worcester and Broom Railway was passed and the company dissolved (11).

Note: (1) White Rev A. 2005 The Worcester and Birmingham Canal – Chronicles of the Cut Brewin Books (2) Hadfield C. 1966 The Canals of the West Midlands David and Charles (3) WAAS Ref: 899:73 BA5114/2 Plan of intended navigable canal (4) The New Monthly Magazine and Literary Journal February 1826; Provincial Occurrences - Page 80 (5) Hadfield C. 1966 The Canals of the West Midlands David and Charles (6) White Rev A. 2005 The Worcester and Birmingham Canal – Chronicles of the Cut Brewin Books (7) Long P.J. and Awdry 1987 Rev W.V. The Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Alan Sutton (8) White Rev A. 2005 The Worcester and Birmingham Canal – Chronicles of the Cut Brewin Books (9) Worcester Journal 17 March 1994 (10) WAAS Ref: 161/320 BA 338 Parcel No. 8 (11) Worcester Journal 17 March 1994

APPENDIX E

Newspaper Cuttings of

WORCESTERSHIRE INCIDENTS WITH A LIME OR LIMEKILN CONNECTION

BOCKLETON – Worcester Journal 29 August 1844

BROUGHTON HACKETT – Worcester Chronicle 3rd April 1850

BUSHLEY – Worcester Journal 24 November 1836

GREAT WITLEY – Worcester Journal 7 May 1846

HILL CROOME – Worcester Chronicle 12 May 1841

SERIOUS ACCIDENT – Last week as a young man named Thomas Clinton, brother to Mrs Harrison of this town (Upton) was driving a waggon to Boughton Hill to fetch lime, a very serious accident occurred to him under the following circumstances:- As the waggon was passing the Butchers Arms, Boughton, the lead horse began to kick and attempted to turn round. Clinton went to unhook the horse, when he set

off at a furious rate, and the shaft coming into contact with Clinton, it knocked him

down, and the wheel of the waggon went over his leg and caused a compound

fracture. The poor fellow was instantly put under the care of Mr Goodman, Surgeon, who was obliged to remove part of the bone which had protruded through his stocking. He still lies in a very precarious state.

HIMBLETON – Worcestershire Chronicle 6th November 1880

HIMBLETON – Worcester Journal 15th October 1887

HIMBLETON – Worcester Journal 16th February 1889

HIMBLETON – Worcester Journal 12 May 1894

MARTLEY – Worcester Journal 27th April 1843

MARTLEY – Worcester Journal 10th October 1844

MARTLEY – Worcester Chronicle 10th January 1848

MARTLEY – Worcester Journal 26th April 1856

MARTLEY – Worcester Chronicle 21st June 1890

PIRTON – Worcester Journal 23rd February 1878

SUCKLEY – Worcester Chronicle 18th August 1841

Edward Boswell of Suckley, labourer, was charged with violently assaulting Sarah Waldron on Thursday, the 5th of August. Complainant stated that when she came in the evening to her work the defendant came to the same place and began to abuse his father and struck him upon which the complainant picked up a crutch and told him if he struck his father again she would hit him. He then ran at her and knocked her down upon a lime kiln and afterwards repeated the blows several times. The defendant a clownish working fellow, said the complainant whirled the crutch above his head and threatened to knock his brains out and therefore he had the right to push her down. He was fined £1 including expenses, and the money not being forthcoming he was committed to 14 days.

UPPER ARLEY – Worcester Chronicle 4 October 1848

UPTON-UPON-SEVERN – Worcester Journal 31 March 1894

Worcestershire Chronicle 14th November 1903

WORCESTER – Worcester Journal 28 May 1846

WORCESTER – Worcester Journal 25th May 1889

APPENDIX F

MISCELLAENEOUS NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS RELATING TO LIME AND LIMEBURNING

Worcester Journal 3rd September 1853

Worcester Chronicle 17 March 1841 The phrase “As dry as a limeburners basket” was used when describing a lady that could not produce a tear in a court case. 88

Worcester Journal 21 April 1855

Worcestershire Chronicle 5 March 1862

APPENDIX F

Database of Limekiln Sites In Worcestershire

LIMEKILNS IN WORCESTERSHIRE

A B C D EFGH I J K LMN 1 Site Parish Site Type Name Evidence Tithe Map 1st Ed. OS 2nd Ed.OS 3rd Ed.OS Ref: HER No. Grid Ref. Visited Remains Type 2 1 Abberley Limekiln No Working Working WSM45950 374506~266154 01-May-13 Yes 2 3 2 Abberley Limekiln No Working Working WSM45950 374506~266162 01-May-13 Yes 4 4 3 Alvechurch Limekiln Yes Old No WSM56910 403096~274927 09-May-13 No 7 5 4 Alvechurch Limekiln Yes Old No WSM56910 403097~274923 09-May-13 No 7 6 5 Astley and Dunley Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57846 377024~267544 7 7 6 Astley and Dunley Lime Kilns Coppice Yes WSM41242 377162~267393 7 8 7 Astley and Dunley Limekiln Cottage No WSM57988 377100~267444 7 9 8 Astley and Dunley Limekiln No No Yes No WSM56916 377055~268141 08-Oct-12 No 7 10 9 Astley and Dunley The Killn Close No No No No f705:550 BA4600/1067 (Map1734) WSM57847 377962~266844 7 11 10 Astley and Dunley The Killn Close Orchard No No No No f705:550 BA4600/1067 (Map1734) WSM56987 377983~266746 7 12 11 Badsey Limekiln No Working Working Working WSM07671 407278~244803 29-Apr-12 No 7 13 12 Badsey Limekiln No Working Working Working WSM07671 407276~244798 29-Apr-12 No 7 14 13 Badsey Limekiln No No No Yes WSM07671 407274~244794 29-Apr-12 No 7 15 14 Bayton (Mamble Tithe) Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57008 371824~273817 7 16 15 Bayton Limekiln Meadow No BA 944 & BA 899:1 WSM57004 368265~274042 No 7 17 16 Bayton Limekiln Bank No BA 944 & BA 899:1 WSM57005 368467~274078 No 7 18 17 Bayton Limekiln Bank Rough No BA 944 & BA 899:1 WSM57006 368482~274176 No 7 19 18 Bayton Limekiln Bank Common No BA 944 & BA 899:1 WSM57007 368336~274144 No 7 20 19 Berrow Limekiln Yes Working Working Old WSM06966 379621~233670 05-Aug-12 No 6 21 20 Berrow Lime Kiln Hill Yes WSM57009 379514~233626 7 22 21 Berrow Lime Kiln Hill Yes WSM57010 379505~233762 7 23 22 Berrow Limekiln No No No No r705:192/BA5589 Box178 (Map 1803) WSM57026 379524~233806 No 7 24 23 Berrow Lime Kiln Piece No No No No r705:192/BA5589 Box178 (Map 1803) WSM57010 379520~233763 7 25 24 Bockleton Limekiln No Old No WSM38991 359160~263122 No 7 26 25 Bromsgrove Lime Kiln Close Yes WSM57027 397257~278898 7 27 26 Broughton Hackett Limekiln No Working No WSM47496 392745~254551 No 7 28 27 Broughton Hackett Limekiln No Working No WSM47496 392756~254565 No 7 29 28 Broughton Hackett Limekiln No No Yes WSM57028 393202~254640 No 7 30 29 Broughton Hackett Limekiln No No Yes WSM57028 393246~254626 No 7 31 30 Bushley Limekiln No Working Working Working WSM06984 386400~233716 No 7 32 31 Charlton Limekiln No Working No WSM57029 401235~243093 No 7 33 32 Church Lench Limekiln No Working No WSM32048 402246~251748 Apr-13 Yes 6 34 33 Church Lench Lime Kiln Ground Yes WSM57030 403042~249811 7 35 34 Church Lench Lime Kiln Ground Yes WSM57031 402271~252654 7 36 35 Church Lench King Hill Lime Kiln Yes WSM57032 402284~251698 7 37 36 Church Lench King Hill Lime Kiln Yes WSM57033 402007~251587 7 38 37 Cleeve Prior Limekiln No No Working Old WSM07808 408481~249104 Mar-13 Yes 5 39 38 Cleeve Prior Limekiln No No Working Old WSM07808 408487~249104 Mar-13 Yes 5 40 39 Clifton-upon -Teme Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57034 372064~261894 7 41 40 Croome D'Abitot Limekiln No Working No WSM50147 389070~245031 18-May-12 No 7 42 41 Croome D'Abitot Limekiln No Working No WSM50147 389088~244991 18-May-12 No 7 43 42 Croome D'Abitot Limekiln No Working No WSM50147 389085~244996 18-May-12 No 7 44 43 Croome D'Abitot Limekiln No Working No WSM50147 389086~245004 18-May-12 No 7 45 44 Croome D'Abitot Limekiln No Working No WSM50147 389092~245005 18-May-12 No 7 46 45 Croome D'Abitot Limestone Quarry No No No No Snape Map 1796 WSM57131 388977~245594 7 47 46 Croome D'Abitot Limestone Quarry No No No No Snape Map 1796 WSM57132 389162~243623 7 48 47 Drakes Broughton Limekiln No Working No WSM57063 388798~248119 No 7 49 48 Droitwich Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57133 388722~262848 7 50 49 Droitwich Limekiln No No No No Roman Droitwich;CBA Report 146 WSM57134 389761~263901 No 7 51 50 Eastham Limekiln No Working Old WSM35015 367473~267142 01-May-13 No 7 52 51 Eastham Limekiln No Working No WSM57064 367032~267631 01-May-13 No 7 53 52 Eastham Limekiln No Working No WSM35013 367709~267606 01-May-13 No 7 54 53 Eastham Limekiln Yes No WSM57065 367430~267516 01-May-13 No 7 55 54 Eastham Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57066 367413~267292 7 56 55 Eastham Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57067 367545~267283 7 57 56 Eastham Limekiln Bank No Yes Yes Yes WSM42666 366780~267620 7 LIMEKILNS IN WORCESTERSHIRE

A B C D EFGH I J K LMN 1 Site Parish Site Type Name Evidence Tithe Map 1st Ed. OS 2nd Ed.OS 3rd Ed.OS Ref: HER No. Grid Ref. Visited Remains Type 58 57 Eastham Limekilns? No No Yes No WSM42667 366790~267570 01-May-13 No 7 59 58 Evesham (Bengeworth) Limekiln No Old No WSM57068 404072~243246 No 7 60 59 Evesham Limekiln No No No No Worcester Chronicle 16 Dec. 1840 WSM57175 404050~243710 7 61 60 Evesham (Merstow Green) Limekilns No No No No WSM57070 403500~243600 No 7 62 61 Fladbury Limekiln No No TWAS; Vol XXXIII 1956 pp.45-47 WSM26895 399650~246390 No 7 63 62 Great Witley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57331 375082~263529 No 5 64 63 Great Witley Limekiln No Working No WSM57331 375083~263561 No 7 65 64 Great Witley Limekiln No Working No WSM57331 375081~263540 No 5 66 65 Great Witley Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57332 376681~267430 7 67 66 Great Witley Lime Kiln Plantation Yes WSM57149 374922~266526 7 68 67 Great Witley Limekiln Lime Kiln Yes No WSM57331 375067~263499 08-Apr-13 Yes 5 69 68 Great Witley Limekiln Lime Kiln Yes No WSM57331 375074~263495 08-Apr-13 Yes 4 70 69 Great Witley Limekiln No No Yes WSM41418 376668~267507 08-Apr-13 Yes 5 71 70 Great Witley Limekiln No No Yes No WSM57331 375079~263533 No 7 72 71 Great Witley Limekiln No No No WSM57150 374822~266413 7 73 72 Great Witley Limekiln No No No WSM57150 374822~266418 7 74 73 Guarlford (Madresfield Tithe) Lime Kiln Meadow Yes WSM57152 383502~246146 7 75 74 Hanbury Limekiln No Old No WSM45284 393117~263797 No 7 76 75 Hanley Castle Limekiln Hill No No No No Inc. Award; 1818:s143/3: 1797 BA816/2 WSM57153 383153~241644 7 77 76 Hanley Childe Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57176 365495~264552 7 78 77 Hanley Childe Rough in Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57177 365424~264523 7 79 78 Hanley William Lime Kiln Orchard Yes WSM57178 368786~265317 7 80 79 Hanley William Lime Kiln Orchard Yes WSM57179 368737~265363 7 81 80 Hanley William Lime Kiln Orchard Yes WSM57180 368774~265493 7 82 81 Hanley William Lime Kiln Orchard Yes WSM57181 368810~265409 7 83 82 Hanley William Lime Kiln Orchard Yes WSM57182 368736~265443 7 84 83 Hanley William Rough in Lime Kiln Bank Yes WSM57183 368911~265323 7 85 84 Hanley William Part of Lime Kiln Bank Yes No WSM57184 368999~265356 No 7 86 85 Hanley William Lime Kiln and Rough Yes WSM57185 369023~265323 7 87 86 Hanley William Lime Kiln Bank Yes WSM57186 368923~265473 7 88 87 Hanley William Limekiln Yes No No WSM57187 369027~265311 No 7 89 88 Hill Croome Limekiln Limekiln Yes No WSM57188 388982~240897 Mar-13 No 7 90 89 Hill Croome Little Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57189 388998~240281 7 91 90 Hill Croome Big Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57190 388974~240372 7 92 91 Hill Croome Limekiln Limekiln Yes No WSM57191 388964~240307 7 93 92 Himbleton Limekiln No Working No WSM29952 394130~258783 No 6 94 93 Himbleton Lime Hill Wood No No No No s971.2 BA1691/14 (Map1777) WSM57195 391735~261045 7 95 94 Himbleton Limekiln No No No No s971.2 BA1691/14 (Map1777) WSM29951 391632~260871 Mar-13 No 7 96 95 Himbleton Limekiln No No No No s971.2 BA1691/14 (Map1777) WSM57196 391941~260180 No 7 97 96 Himbleton Limekiln No No No No s971.2 BA1691/14 (Map1777) WSM29950 394763~258612 Mar-13 No 7 98 97 Himbleton Limekiln No No No No 009.1 BA5403/20 5938 (Map 1859) WSM57197 392747~259340 7 99 98 Himbleton Limekiln No No No No 009.1 BA5403/20 5938 (Map 1859) WSM57197 392753~259333 7 100 99 Himbleton Limekiln No No No No 009.1 BA5403/20 5938 (Map 1859) WSM57197 392860~259264 7 101 100 Himbleton Limekiln No No No No 009.1 BA5403/20 5938 (Map 1859) WSM57197 392950~259208 7 102 101 Himbleton Limekiln No No No No 009.1 BA5403/20 5938 (Map 1859) WSM57197 392984~259171 7 103 102 Huddington Limekiln No No No No s971.2 BA1691/14 (Map1777) WSM57198 392276~259716 No 7 104 103 Hunnington Limekiln No Old No WSM57199 396785~280188 09-May-13 No 7 105 104 Kemerton Limekiln No Old No WSM57201 394364~236559 18-May-12 No 7 106 105 Kempsey Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57202 384835~247625 7 107 106 Kidderminster Limekiln Bridge No Yes Yes Yes WSM12928 382868~277216 7 108 107 Kidderminster Foreign Limekilns No No WSM23980 378700~279600 7 109 108 Knightwick Lime Kiln Coppice Yes WSM57203 373297~254595 7 110 109 Kyre Magna Lime Kiln Orchard Yes WSM57204 361998~262474 7 111 110 Kyre Magna Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57205 361844~262468 7 112 111 Lower Sapey Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57206 368972~261501 7 113 112 Lulsley Lime Kiln Coppice Yes WSM57227 373345~253887 7 LIMEKILNS IN WORCESTERSHIRE

A B C D EFGH I J K LMN 1 Site Parish Site Type Name Evidence Tithe Map 1st Ed. OS 2nd Ed.OS 3rd Ed.OS Ref: HER No. Grid Ref. Visited Remains Type 114 113 Martley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57228 375180~262539 No 7 115 114 Martley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57228 375333~262536 No 7 116 115 Martley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57229 375369~262531 Yes 2 117 116 Martley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57231 375414~261682 No 7 118 117 Martley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57232 375440~261788 No 7 119 118 Martley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57232 375435~261793 No 7 120 119 Martley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57233 375328~261887 No 7 121 120 Martley Limekiln No Working Disused WSM57234 375317~261901 No 7 122 121 Martley Limekiln No Working Disused WSM57236 375180~261896 Yes 3 123 122 Martley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57229 375360~262532 Yes 2 124 123 Martley Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57237 375013~261133 7 125 124 Martley Piece below Lime Kilns Yes WSM57238 375156~261099 7 126 125 Martley Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57239 374121~257824 7 127 126 North and Middle Littleton Limekiln No Working No WSM57241 407523~246668 No 7 128 127 Norton and Lenchwick Lime Kiln Ground Yes WSM57248 405228~247642 7 129 128 Oddingley Limekiln No Working No WSM57242 391759~259990 No 7 130 129 Offenham Limekiln No Working No WSM57243 406495~247056 Mar-13 No 7 131 130 Offenham Limekiln No Working No WSM57243 406495~247061 Mar-13 No 7 132 131 Pensax Lime Kiln Leasow Yes WSM57244 372959~269007 7 133 132 Pensax Upper Lime Kilner Yes WSM57245 374032~269184 7 134 133 Pensax Limekiln No No WSM05456 372920~268850 No 7 135 134 Pensax Lime Kilner Yes WSM57246 374078~269312 7 136 135 Pensax Limekilns (House name) No WSM57247 372954~268905 7 137 136 Pershore (St.Andrews) Lime Kiln Meadow Yes WSM57249 394333~244949 7 138 137 Pirton Limekiln No Working No WSM57264 388789~246233 18-May-12 No 7 139 138 Pirton Limekiln No Working No WSM57264 388788~246241 18-May-12 No 7 140 139 Pirton Limekiln No Working No WSM57264 388785~246249 18-May-12 No 7 141 140 Pirton Limekiln No Working No WSM57264 388777~246247 18-May-12 No 7 142 141 Pirton Limekiln No No Working WSM57265 388827~246149 18-May-12 No 7 143 142 Pirton Limekiln No No Working WSM57265 388829~246146 18-May-12 No 7 144 143 Pirton Limekiln No No Working WSM57265 388830~246142 18-May-12 No 7 145 144 Pirton Limekiln No No No WSM57266 388881~246045 18-May-12 Yes 1 146 145 Pirton Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57267 388653~247917 7 147 146 Pirton Far Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57269 388788~247320 7 148 147 Pirton Limekiln Piece Yes WSM57268 388352~246523 7 149 148 Pirton Limekiln TWAS Third Series, Vol.15 Page 56 WSM15341 388824~247281 7 150 149 Powick Lime Kiln Meadow Yes WSM57270 383963~248676 7 151 150 Queenhill Limekiln No Old No WSM57271 385146~237237 26-May-12 No 7 152 151 Rochford Lime Kiln Bank Yes WSM57272 364637~266570 7 153 152 Rock Limekiln Meadow Yes WSM57273 377865~269887 7 154 153 Rock Limekiln Orchard Yes WSM57274 377728~269815 7 155 154 Rock Limekiln Meadow Yes WSM57275 377054~269635 7 156 155 Rock Limekiln Bank Yes WSM57276 376322~270419 7 157 156 Rock Limekiln Leasow Yes WSM57277 374397~270183 7 158 157 Rock Limekiln Field Yes WSM57278 374278~270174 7 159 158 Rock Lime Kiln Orchard Yes WSM57279 376966~272089 7 160 159 Rock Limekiln Leasow Yes WSM57281 375421~271962 7 161 160 Rock Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57282 373664~272845 7 162 161 Rock Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57283 374397~272194 7 163 162 Rock Limekiln Leasow Yes No No No WSM57280 376891~272171 7 164 163 Shelsley Beauchamp Limekiln No Old No WSM57300 375376~263168 08-Apr-13 Yes 5 165 164 Shelsley Beauchamp Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57303 375357~263254 7 166 165 Shelsley Beauchamp Limekiln No No No No Physical evidence on site WSM57301 375246~263257 08-Apr-13 Yes 2 167 166 Sherriff's Lench Lime Kiln Ground Yes WSM57305 401576~249898 7 168 167 South Littleton Limekiln Cottages No WSM57302 407620~246385 7 169 168 Stanford with Orleton Limekiln Yes Working No WSM45686 369068~265328 17-Apr-13 No 7 LIMEKILNS IN WORCESTERSHIRE

A B C D EFGH I J K LMN 1 Site Parish Site Type Name Evidence Tithe Map 1st Ed. OS 2nd Ed.OS 3rd Ed.OS Ref: HER No. Grid Ref. Visited Remains Type 170 169 Stanford with Orleton Limekiln No Working No WSM45686 369072~265328 17-Apr-13 No 7 171 170 Stanford with Orleton Limekiln No Working No WSM57304 369373~265245 17-Apr-13 No 7 172 171 Stanford with Orleton Limekiln No Working Old WSM42683 369381~265247 17-Apr-13 Yes 1 173 172 Stanford with Orleton Lime Kiln Rough Yes WSM57308 369128~265354 7 174 173 Stanford with Orleton Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57309 370681~264335 7 175 174 Stanford with Orleton Limekiln Lime Kiln, Etc. Yes No WSM57310 370841~264257 24-Jul-13 No 7 176 175 Stanford with Orleton Rough, Lime Kiln Etc. Yes WSM57313 371334~263751 24-Jul-13 No 7 177 176 Stanford with Orleton Lower Limekiln Bank Yes WSM57314 371350~263655 7 178 177 Stanford with Orleton Upper Limekiln Bank Yes WSM57315 317217~263609 7 179 178 Stoke Bliss Lower Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM18829 363244~262700 7 180 179 Stoke Bliss Upper Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM18829 363168~262581 7 181 180 Stoke Prior Limekilns at Canal Wharf Yes WSM34291 395185~267065 7 182 181 Stoulton Limekiln No Working No WSM57316 392683~250420 No 7 183 182 Stoulton Limekilns No No WSM42295 390630~250960 No 7 184 183 Stourport-on-Severn Limekiln No No No No f900.9: BA6507/3 (Map late 18c) WSM57317 380921~271122 No 7 185 184 Stourport-on-Severn Limekiln No No No No f900.9: BA6507/3 (Map late 18c) WSM57317 380918~271124 No 7 186 185 Stourport-on-Severn Lime House No No No No f900.9: BA6507/3 (Map late 18c) WSM57317 380918~271121 7 187 186 Strensham Limekiln No Old Old Old WSM46790 389040~238422 No 7 188 187 Strensham Limekilns No No No No 705:192 BA5589/6 WSM57318 389086~239515 7 189 188 Strensham Limekiln No No No No 705:192 BA5589/6 WSM57321 389075~239659 Yes 6 190 189 Suckley Limekiln No Working Old WSM42688 373283~252927 21-May-12 No 7 191 190 Suckley Limekiln No Working Old WSM42689 373323~253077 21-May-12 No 7 192 191 Suckley Limekiln No Working Old WSM38775 373231~252502 21-May-12 No 7 193 192 Suckley Limekiln No Working Old WSM38774 373234~252352 21-May-12 No 7 194 193 Suckley Limekiln No Working Working WSM38800 & 38796 373237~251432 21-May-12 No 7 195 194 Suckley Limekiln No Working Working WSM57323 373254~251292 21-May-12 No 7 196 195 Suckley Limekiln No Working No WSM57324 373694~250743 21-May-12 No 7 197 196 Suckley Limekiln No Working Old WSM57326 373414~253634 09-Jul-13 No 7 198 197 Suckley Limekiln Yes No WSM57325 373434~253519 09-Jul-13 No 7 199 198 Suckley Lime Kiln Field Yes WSM57371 373517~253133 7 200 199 Suckley Limekiln Yes No WSM57327 373347~253098 09-Jul-13 No 7 201 200 Suckley Limekiln Yes No WSM57327 373363~253116 09-Jul-13 No 7 202 201 Suckley The Lime Kiln Bank Yes WSM57329 373526~250975 7 203 202 Suckley The Lime Kiln Bank Yes WSM57333 373645~251040 7 204 203 Suckley Lime Works Yes WSM57352 373608~250633 7 205 204 Suckley Lime Kiln Field Yes WSM57353 373176~252452 7 206 205 Suckley Limekiln Yes WSM57328 373492~253178 No 7 207 206 Suckley Limekiln Orchard Yes WSM57354 373142~251467 7 208 207 Suckley Lime Kiln Field (part of) Yes WSM57355 371026~251117 7 209 208 Suckley The Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57334 373649~250929 7 210 209 Suckley Limekiln Field Coppice No No r750:27 BA438/23(iii) (Map 1764) WSM57356 372451~253449 7 211 210 Suckley Limekiln Field Coppice No No r750:27 BA438/23(iii) (Map 1764) WSM57356 372293~253495 7 212 211 Suckley Limekiln No r750:27 BA438/23(iii) (Map 1764) WSM57357 373199 252374 No 7 213 212 Suckley Limekiln No r750:27 BA438/23(iii) (Map 1764) WSM57357 373200 252336 No 7 214 213 Suckley Limekiln No r750:27 BA438/23(iii) (Map 1764) WSM57357 373182 252332 No 7 215 214 Suckley Limekiln No r750:27 BA438/23(iii) (Map 1764) WSM57357 373198 252274 No 7 216 215 Suckley Limekiln No r750:27 BA438/23(iii) (Map 1764) WSM57357 373202 252247 No 7 217 216 Suckley Limekiln No r750:27 BA438/23(iii) (Map 1764) WSM57357 373183 252195 No 7 218 217 Tutnall and Cobley Limekiln No Working Working WSM10034 399980~270216 30-Apr-12 Buried 5 219 218 Tutnall and Cobley Limekiln No Working Working WSM10034 399977~270209 30-Apr-12 Buried 5 220 219 Tutnall and Cobley Limekiln No Working Working WSM10034 399974~270197 30-Apr-12 Buried 5 221 220 Tutnall and Cobley Limekiln No Working Working Working WSM01712 399495~269320 30-Apr-12 Yes 2 222 221 Tutnall and Cobley Limekiln No Working Working Working WSM01712 399486~269326 30-Apr-12 Yes 2 223 222 Tutnall and Cobley Limekiln No Working Working Working WSM01712 399488~269330 30-Apr-12 Yes 2 224 223 Tutnall and Cobley Limekiln No Working Working WSM01712 399493~269343 30-Apr-12 Yes 2 225 224 Tutnall and Cobley Limekiln No Working Working WSM01712 399496~269348 30-Apr-12 Yes 4 LIMEKILNS IN WORCESTERSHIRE

A B C D EFGH I J K LMN 1 Site Parish Site Type Name Evidence Tithe Map 1st Ed. OS 2nd Ed.OS 3rd Ed.OS Ref: HER No. Grid Ref. Visited Remains Type 226 225 Upper Arley Limeworks, Coal Pit etc. Yes No No No WSM57358 376275~281346 2 227 226 Upton-upon-Severn Limekiln Lime Kiln Yes No WSM57359 385301~240769 No 7 228 227 Upton-upon-Severn Limekiln No No WSM39981 385100~240760 No 7 229 228 West Malvern Limekiln No Working Working WSM39388 376360~244205 09-Jul-12 Buried 4 230 229 West Malvern Limekiln No No No WSM21120 376194~244285 09-Jul-12 Yes 2 231 230 West Malvern Lime Pitts (Approx pos.) No No No No x705:24/366/BA81 Parcel12 (Map 1632) WSM57360 376765~244371 7 232 231 White Ladies Aston Limekiln No Working No WSM57361 392587~251575 No 7 233 232 White Ladies Aston Limekiln No Working No WSM57361 392586~251583 No 7 234 233 White Ladies Aston Limekiln No No Working WSM57362 392636~251559 No 7 235 234 White Ladies Aston Limekiln No No Working WSM57362 392640~251560 No 7 236 235 White Ladies Aston Limekiln No No Working WSM57362 392645~251562 No 7 237 236 White Ladies Aston Lime Kiln Ground Yes WSM57363 391191~252606 7 238 237 White Ladies Aston The Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57364 392746~251529 7 239 238 White Ladies Aston Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57364 392687~251619 7 240 239 Wolverley and Cookley Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM15053 & 30188 380875~282562 7 241 240 Wolverley and Cookley Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57365 384158~280330 7 242 241 Wolverley and Cookley Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM57365 384129~280196 7 243 242 Wolverley and Cookley Lime Kiln Piece (part of) Yes WSM30194 384033~280088 7 244 243 Wolverley and Cookley Lime Kiln Piece (part of) Yes WSM57365 383872~279966 7 245 244 Wolverley and Cookley Lime Kiln Piece Yes WSM12728 380482~280697 7 246 245 Wolverley and Cookley Lime Kiln Coppice No b009:1 BA5403/20 (Map1777; No.7190) WSM57366 380150 281470 No 7 247 246 Worcester Limekiln No No No No Excavations at Deansway; Report 139 WSM57367 384921~254833 No 7 248 247 Worcester (St.Clement) Limekiln No No 496:5 BA9360/CAB11/6/65 WSM57367 384326~255041 No 7 249 248 Worcester (St.Clement) Limekiln No No 496:5 BA9360/CAB11/6/65 WSM57368 384323~255039 No 7 250 249 Worcester Limekiln No No Worcester Journal 1 June 1842 WSM57369 385020~256360 No 7 251 250 Worcester Limekiln No No Worcester Journal 15 February 1843 WSM57370 384010~256520 No 7