Reminiscences wanted: Bethnal Green Gasholders

The Bethnal Green gasholders

The site was established by the Imperial Gas Light and Coke Company in 1853 to store gas for their Shoreditch works, which was located a short distance to the west on what is now Haggerston Park.

It includes some of the oldest surviving examples of gasholders in the world. The earliest structure on the site is Gasholder No. 2, which was completed in 1866 and is the oldest surviving large gasholder frame in the world. Slightly later, and around twice the height, Gasholder No. 5 was built in 1889 by Samuel Cutler & Sons of Millwall, with a capacity of 4.2 million cubic feet. It is the only surviving example of its type in the world. The two other gasholders on the site were rebuilt in the early 20th century and are much less prominent, lacking the towering cast iron frames of their older companions.

The site was finally decommissioned in 2012 and is soon to be redeveloped for housing, although the two great frames of Gasholder Nos 2 and 5 will be restored and retained in place.

Reminiscences wanted!

As part of this work, Archaeology South-East have been asked to trace the history of the gasholders, and what they have meant to the community in which they stand.

Senior buildings archaeologist Dr Michael Shapland said “The gasholders at Marian Place have been a landmark for generations of local residents, as well as for traffic moving up and down Regent’s Canal over the years. “

As well and studying the history and function of these remarkable structures, we would really like to hear from anyone who has worked there in the past, or has memories of living in their shadow. They have been such a prominent part of the landscape for so many years, and it would be nice to do them justice before they start a new phase in their existence.”

Do you have any recollections of the gasholders that you would be willing to share? If so, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch at the following:

Dr Michael Shapland
2 Chapel Place, Portslade, East Sussex BN41 1DR
01273 426830
m.shapland@ucl.ac.uk