EAW017766 ENGLAND (1948). The T. Partridge & Co Ltd Darlaston Road Factory and environs, Pleck, 1948. This image has been produced from a print marked by Aerofilms Ltd for photo editing.

Bentley Mill Way

Darlaston Road

James Bridge Copper Works, Pleck The site of the former James Bridge Brick Works. The James Bridge Copper Works opened in 1919 as a subsidiary of the Wolverhampton Metal Company Limited. In 1931 the factory was forced to close by Walsall Town Council after a series of complaints about the sulphurous fumes that came from the 100ft. high chimney. At the time around 150 manual workers who worked in the factory lost their jobs. Taller chimneys were built, and the factory reopened the following year. It was forced to close again in World War 2 because of blackout problems, but reopened after the war to recover copper from war surplus items. The firm became a Limited company in 1946, and in the early 1950s became one of the country’s leading copper reclamation companies. All kinds of waste materials including ash and foundry residues were transported to the factory to produce high quality copper. In 1967 the plant was updated to increase production of high grade electrolytic copper from 15,000 to 50,000 tons a year. During the same year James Bridge Copper Works Limited became part of IMI Limited (Imperial Metal Industries Limited) and became known as IMI Refiners Limited. It was the last copper refining business in the country, but sadly closed on 31st December, 1999. The factory was demolished in 2000. Source: http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/Walsall/industry3.htm

Spinks Bridge

T Partridge & Company, Structural Engineers (Starting as roofing contractors and manufacturers of buildings) In 1910 Thomas, Arthur and Joseph Partridge purchased a factory on the corner of Darlaston Road and Pleck Road in Walsall. The business used two or three woodworking machines. The company manufactured timber framed buildings and wide-span "Belfast" roofs. By 1912 expansion was required, to land in Wallows Lane. The company patented a puttyless window glazing called Elite leaded roof glazing. By 1920 incorporation took place as T Partridge and Company Ltd. Steel frame buildings were growing in popularity In 1923 the Pleck Foundry Company closed in Darlaston Road and their factory became available and was acquired and the company moved to this new nearby site. During WW2 the company made 2000 Morrison air raid shelters. The company closed some years ago. Sources: http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/Walsall/Partridge/story.htm

Cemetary

Walsall Canal over Bentley Mill Way.