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Knighton Gas Light, Coal and Coke Company

 

Hereford Times - 1st November 1851

THE GAS COMPANY.— The proposal to form a gas company, which was taken up with such spirit at a meeting called to remove nuisances from the streets, is rapidly advancing. Some gentlemen were appointed to wait upon parties who did not attend the meeting to solicit them to enrol their names in the share-list. To this application, we are happy to say the inhabitants did not fail to respond. Every one feels that our oil lamps are quite inefficient for the dark season of the year which is now approaching.

 

Hereford Times - 1st November 1851

KNIGHTON. NEW GAS COMPANY.— The shares in this company, which was projected in this town a few weeks ago, have now all been taken up, and the Committee have held several meetings for deciding upon the question of whether the gasometer shall be constructed for manufacturing common coal gas, or upon the new principle lately introduced and shown in the Great Exhibition by the name of the "Patent Vegetable Gas," the light from which is stated to be much more brilliant than the coal gas, the machinery being also more simple and less expensive. The Committee have received the opinions of several scientific gentlemen, which appear to he favourable to the new light, but do not consider themselves justified in adopting it at present without further information, or until its merits have been further tested.

 

Hereford Times - 26th June 1852

NEW GAS WORKS.— A company has recently been formed in this town, which is styled "The Knighton Gas, Coal, and Coke Company," for the purpose of lighting the town with gas. and supplying coal and coke to the town and neighbourhood. Mr. Eunson, gas engineer, of Wolverhampton, who has been appointed the engineer of the company, having a short time ago prepared his plans and specifications for the erection of the works, a general meeting of the company was held at the New Buildings on Wednesday last, when the directors and officers were appointed, and a contract entered into and signed with Mr. Eunson for the immediate commencement of the works, which he has undertaken to complete by the 29th of September next, the site being a plot of ground near Teme-bridge, which has been presented to the company by Richard Price, Esq.

 

John Eunson was a 48 year old Gas Engineer Employing 5 Men. He was originally from Scotland but had moved with his family to Oaks Crescent, Merridale Road, Wolverhampton around 1840-43. The Eunson family hailed from Kirkwall, Orkneys, John was the first man in Kirkwall to make gas and light his home with it. This was about 1830

 

Knighton Gas Light, Coal and Coke Company provisionally registered as a company on 7th July 1852.

 

The promoters of the business were;

 

Name

 

Richard Green

William Wilson Archibald

John Griffith Goulstone

Occupation

 

Banker

Manager of the Knighton Bank

Chemist

Address

 

Frydd House, Knighton

Wylcwm Buildings, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

 

The proposed Directors of the Company were;

 

Name

 

Richard Green

John Edwards

William Wilson Archibald

John Griffith Goulstone

William Banks

Thomas Evans

George Watkins

Occupation

 

Banker

Gentleman

Manager of the Knighton Bank

Chemist

Woolstapler

Tallor & Draper

Builder

Address

 

Frydd House, Knighton

Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire

Wylcwm Buildings, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

Wylcwm Street, Knighton

Broad Street, Knighton

Temes Bridge Road, Knighton

On 17th August of the same year a provisional return was made outlining the Officers and their duties.

Name

 

John Edwards

Richard Green

William Banks

Davies & Grummer

Oliver & Green

Thomas Peters

John William Tudge

Edward Mason

William Edwards

Duty

 

Trustee

Trustee

Secretery & Tresuerer

Bankers

Bankers

Solicitor

Solicitor

Auditor

Auditor

 

On the same date a return of the proposed capital was submitted;

Amount of proposed capital

 

Amount to be raised by Loans

 

Proposed Additional Capital

 

Means by which  Capital is to be raised.

 

Number of Shares into which it is proposed to be divided

 

Amount of each Share

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Two Thousand Pounds

 

One Thousand Pounds

 

One Thousand Pounds

 

By the issue of shares

 

Four Hundred

 

Five Pounds

 

Hereford Times 2nd October 1852

KNIGHTON.

New Gas Works.—These works are now progressing rapidly, the mains having been laid down throughout the town and the branches and fittings being proceeded with; the gasometer and adjacent buildings are in a forward state; and the whole will be completed so as to light the town during the present month.

 

Abstract of the Deeds of Settlement of the Knighton Gas Light, Coal and Coke Company

 

Dated 1st November 1852

 

Parties - The Shareholders

 

Clause 1.

(except JOHN EDWARDS Esquire and RICHARD GREEN Gentleman Trustees on behalf of the Company) of the first part this said John Edwards of the second part and the said Richard Green of the third part - RECITING Agreement to form Company under seventh and eighth Victoria C. 110 - Provisional registration of the Company on the seventh day of July one thousand eight hundred and fifty two by the name of "The Knighton Gas Light, Coal and Coke Company". That capital subdivided.

 

Mutual covenants between the parties to the effect following -

 

Clause 1.

That the Shareholders shall constitute a joint stock company within meaning of the said Act to be called "The Knighton Gas Light, Coal and Coke Company" and pay up the instalments and observe the agreements and that the company shall be formed from the date of the deed and continue till dissolved as thereinafter contained.

 

Clause 2.

That the business of the company shall be to manufacture Gas Light Coal o/c and also to supply the town of Knighton with water if thought expedient.

 

Clause 3.

That business be carried on at Wylcwm House with liberty to Directors to appoint other places.

 

Clause 4.

That the capital stock of £2000 divided into 400 transferable shares of £5 each with power to increase or reduce same and power to alter the amount and number of the shares.

 

Clause 5.

That Annual General Meeting to be held on the last Tuesday in July or any day within twenty days thereafter in every year at the company's principal office or elsewhere as the Directors appoint -

 

Clause 6.

That an Extra General Meeting may at any time be called by the Directors or by 5 or more of the Shareholders holding 20 or more shares with power to such Shareholders to do all necessary acts.

 

Clause 7.

That if seven Shareholders holding twenty five shares are not present no business shall be done but the meeting if convened on acquisition stands dissolved but in every other case stands adjourned to that day week and so from week to week till the acquired number of Shareholders is present.

 

Clause 8.

That any General Meeting may be adjourned to a day fixed at such meetings for the purpose of only proceeding in or conducting business fixed for original business.

 

Clause 9.

That not less than three nor more than seven days notice of every General Meeting and in case of adjournment for more than seven days of every adjourned meeting and except in the case of election of Directors Auditors and other Offices and in the consideration of accounts balance sheets or excerpts at any ordinary meeting - of the business to be transacted thereat shall be given by letter to each Shareholder but the non-receipt  of such notice not to invalidate the proceedings.

 

Clause 10.

That any Shareholder wishing to bring forward any business at any General Meeting shall send ten days notice to the secretary who is to forward the same to the Shareholders and in default the party giving notice may do so.

 

Clause 11.

That except in the case specified in the 9th Clause.

 

No other business

 

Shares were sold on 3rd January 1853

 

Name

 

 

 

William Wilson Archibald

Edward Powell Ayres

William Banks

William Bowen

Joshua Cooper & Edmund Bluck

William Cooper

Daniel Joseph Darlington

John Eunson

John Edwards

Thomas Evans

William Edwards

Richard Green

Thomas Green

George Green

William Gough

John Griffith Goulstone

Edward Clark Gittins

Edward Jonathan Green

Elizabeth Humphries

Ursula Hodson

James Johnston

David Jones

Walter Jones

James Lewis

Hugh Lewis

Edward Mason

William Norgrove

Thomas Peters

Robert Henry Price

John Pritchard

Edward Rogers

Martha Rogers

Richard Thomas

Benjamin Taylor

John William Tudge

Henry Warren

Edward Richard Weyman

Edward Weyman

George Watkins

Profession

 

 

 

Manager of the Knighton Bank

Surgeon

Woolstapler

Grocer

Ironmonger

Innkeeper

Draper

Engineer

Gentleman

Tailor & Draper

Stationer

Banker

Clark

Gentleman

Factor

Chemist

Tailor & Draper

Clark

Milliner

Spinster

Tea Dealer

Carrier

Farmer

Blacksmith

Flour Dealer

Auctioneer

Baker

Solicitor

Gentleman

Gentleman

Gentleman

Innkeeper

Joiner

Draper

Solicitor

Surgeon

Ironmonger

Maltster

Builder

Address

 

 

 

Wylcwm Buildings, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

Wylcwm Street, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

King Street, Ludlow

Bull Ring, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

Gas Works, Wolverhampton

Brampton Bryan, Herefordshire

Broad Street, Knighton

Broad Street, Knighton

Frydd House, Knighton

Bedstone, Bucknell

Frydd House, Knighton

St. Mary's Row, Birmingham

High Street, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

Bridge Street, Knighton

Bridge Street, Knighton

Bridge Street, Knighton

Brook House, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

Farmers Club House, Knighton

Church Street, Knighton

Ystrad House, Knighton

Frydd House, Knighton

Church Street, Knighton

Stanage Park

Broad Street, Knighton

Pig Market, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

Church Street, Knighton

Wylcwm Street, Knighton

High Street, Knighton

George Road, Knighton

Teme's Bridge Road Knighton

Distinctive Number

of Shares

 

1 to 10

11

12 to 19

20 to 24

25 to 29

30

31

32 to 37

38 to 42

43 to 47

48 to 54

55 to 69

70 to 74

75 to 79

80 to 81

82 to 86

87

88 to 97

98

99 to 100

100 to 104

105 to 106

107 to 111

112 to 116

117 to 121

122 to 126

127 to 128

129 to 153

154 to 163

164 to 168

169 to 173

174

175

176 to 177

178 to 182

183 to 187

188 to 192

193 to 195

196 to 200

Shares

Purchased

 

 

10

1

8

5

5

1

1

6

5

5

7

15

5

5

2

5

1

10

1

2

4

2

5

5

5

5

2

25

10

5

5

1

1

2

5

5

5

3

5

Value

 

 

 

£50.00

£5.00

£40.00

£25.00

£25.00

£5.00

£5.00

£30.00

£25.00

£25.00

£35.00

£75.00

£25.00

£25.00

£10.00

£25.00

£5.00

£50.00

£5.00

£10.00

£20.00

£10.00

£25.00

£25.00

£25.00

£25.00

£10.00

£125.00

£50.00

£25.00

£25.00

£5.00

£5.00

£10.00

£25.00

£25.00

£25.00

£15.00

£25.00

Total Shares   200          £1,000.00

 

Hereford Times - 12th March 1853

Anxious to compete with neighbouring towns in their nightly illuminations, no effort has been wanted on the part of the spirited inhabitants to accomplish the object. A meeting having been called, shares were taken, a committee was formed, arrangements were made, contractors agreed with, and men of science employed; the work was commenced and completed notwithstanding the many obstacles incident upon such an undertaking. Now the streets, shops, inns, mansions, church, and chapels are brilliantly illuminated by gas, to the credit of the contractor, Mr. Eunson, and we trust to The benefit of all parties connected therewith. Mr. J. Edwards, of Montgomery, who took an active part is the fittings, is appointed conductor thereof.

J. DAVIES, High-street, Knighton, March, 1853.

 

Hereford Times - 21st July 1855

KNIGHTON GAS-LIGHT, COAL, AND COKE COMPANY.

EDWARD WEYMAN - begs to return most heartfelt thanks to the Shareholders who kindly Voted on his behalf at the Meeting held on Saturday last and to tender to his successful Competitor, and those who were honourably opposed to him, the right-hand of Friendship.- Knighton, July 16,1855

 

Liverpool Mercury 10th September 1858

Wanted, an experienced Gasmaker, who also understands gasfitting in all its branches. Address to the manager of the Knighton Gas Company, Radnorshire, stating terms and qualifications.

 

On 20th November 1858 Mr John Baker, of Hereford, was unanimously appointed Gas Manager at Knighton, following the death of  John Edwards in August.

 

Hereford Journal - 4th January 1860

Gas Company:-

Mr. John Baker - Manager

Mr. W W Archibald - Chairman

Mr. W Collins - Clerk

 

John Baker died in early February 1861 aged 42. He left a widow and seven children. He was a member of the Radnorshire Friendly Society. Upon his death the Society immediately handed his sick-pay and the burial fee of £7 to his widow. Members of the Knighton branch of the Society bore his body to its last resting-place. John was buried on 17th February 1861.

 

Later in 1861 the role of the Manager of the Gasworks was given to 28 year old Thomas Weaver. He took up residence  in the Gas House at Teme Green with his wife Sarah and his 2 sons Horace and Albert.

 

Hereford Times - 25th May 1861

GAS AND WATER.— We hear many complaints of the gas company on our water supply, their extravagant requirements depriving us of that quantity which nature and cleanliness absolutely demands. We would once more appeal to their generosity, and sense of right, in order that the parishioners may not be driven to try conclusions with them on this, to them, a most vital question. We do trust that our poor, to which the supply (meagre as it has been) was a boon, will not be deprived of that means of cleanliness and health. An unwise economy has induced our seers to dismiss a man whose business it was to attend to the tank and its Sunday intricacies. Since that period the management has been such as to evoke continual complaints from the public, who have to bear the inconvenience of every mistake. Surely some remedy for this state of things is possible. By self-government the people could speedily rectify this anomalous state of things. The supply has been most irregular, and it needs no Socrates to tell us that Health cannot continue where the supply of the invaluable fluid is absent or even scanty. We beg the attention of our local sanitary reformers to this hiatus, confident that they will bestow their serious attention to the absolute necessity for immediate steps being taken to remedy the evil. In one part of the day the lower part of the town is favoured with a small supply of water, but the upper is for the greater part of the time utterly destitute of it, and the results of such a deprivation may be better imagined than described.

 

Hereford Times 22nd June 1861

KNIGHTON.-THE DEFICIENT SUPPLY OF WATER. - A correspondent writes :— We regret to find, with regard to the complaint of the deficient water supply, that no address has been given, or any kind of notice taken, the Gas Company monopolizing the water, to the great grievance of the inhabitants. The poorer classes, about some parts of the top of the town, are loud in their complaints at having to pay a rate they can ill afford, for only at one part of the day, when there is a scramble (and consequently constant brawling), can they get their necessary supply. It is very easy for well-to-do people to exclaim at the dirty condition of the homes and persons of the labouring poor, but it sounds rather inconsistent, when they deprive them of the essential element which enables them to make their ablutions.

 

Hereford Journal 15 August 1863

THE GAS COMPANY.--The eleventh annual ordinary general meeting of the shareholders was held on Friday, at the Company's office, Mr. W. W. Archibald in the chair. The following report was presented :—The directors have much satisfaction in being able to congratulate the shareholders on the improving position of the company during the past year, and they now feel justified in recommending that a dividend of 5 per cent. be declared, payable on the 1st of September next. The balance of assets and liabilities of the past year amount to £270 2s. 31d., out of which the directors have transferred the sum of £136 3s. 83/4d., due to capital account, which was placed to that account from a previous want of funds, thus reducing the capital. account to the original amount of £2000. After setting aside £50 for payment of the next dividend, the balance in favour of the Company will be £83 18s. 1d. The following directors, Mr. R. Green Price, and Mr. Walter Jones, retire from office at the present meeting, but are eligible for re-election, Mr. Edward Mason, and Mr. William Edwards retire from the office of auditors, but are eligible for re-election. Mr. Johnson moved the adoption of the report, and that the dividend in accordance therewith, be now declared. Mr. E P. Ayres seconded the motion, and the report was adopted unanimously. Mr. Peters proposed the re-election of Mr. Green Price as a director, also, that the Rev. Thomas Green of Stowe, be appointed a director, his residence being now at an easy distance, to enable him to attend the meetings. Mr. Banks seconded the proposition, which was agreed to unanimously. The re-election of Mr. Mason and Mr. Edwards, as auditors, terminated the proceedings.

 

On 4th December 1875, William Wilson Archibald who had held  the post of chairman died. He was then aged 78. He was buried in Knighton cemetery on 8th December 1875. At the time of his death he was living in Cheltenham.

 

Eddowes's Journal - 20th August 1879

Public Lamps: The Surveyor reported that three new public lamps wore required—one in the Cwm and two in Child's-alley. The Board considered the present price paid for lighting was excessive, and resolved that application be made to the Gas Company for a reduction, the question of new lamps to stand over for the present. One of the lamps in Bridge-street having been knocked down by a team belonging to Mr. Hamer, Cwmgilla, it was ordered that the same be replaced, and Mr Hamer charged with the expense.

 

Eddowes's Journal, - 21st April 1880

Public Lamp - The Clerk stated that he had sent in the account of the lamp broken by Mr. R. Hamer's waggoner to Mr. Hamer, and Mr Hamer asked for a reduction on account of the lamp being in an exposed position. The Board declined to reduce the amount.

 

South Wales Daily News - 31st December 1880

THE FLOODS - The largest flood which has been known for years was experienced at Knighton on Wednesdays Rain commenced to fall on Tuesday . night, and continued without intermission during, the greater part of the .following day, entirely washing away the heavy snow which fell on Sunday night. The river rose with a rapidity which was alarming, entirely submerging the majority of the fields adjoining it.

       At Mill Green the water entered the houses, and forced the inhabitants to take refuge upstairs. One man on going home found his wife upstairs, and as the water continued to rise, they were forced to take the pig from the pigsty and carry it upstairs to save it from being drowned. The mail train:, which arrives at Knighton at 8.20 p.m., was stopped by Dove's Ballast Hole for a time, and a bridge on the line at Panpunton had to be watched by the company's servants for fear of its being washed away, the water at one time on some parts of the line being as high as the carriage steps. 

       At the Central Wales Railway Inn the water rose higher than the kitchen windows, flooded the kitchen, and several persons were kept at work bailing out the water for a long time. The gas works were flooded, and the town was thus left in darkness. The waster has since rapidly lowered, and is still on the decrease.

 

By 1881 36 year old Amos Perry was the Gas Manager. He and his family were living in Station Road, whether he was living at the Gas Works is not known.

 

The Gas Stoker was 28 year old George E Davies, living in Church Lane

 

Eddowes's Journal - 25th March 1885

KNIGHTON.

LOCAL BOARD, Wednesday :—The clerk reported the Lighting Committee had consulted with the directors of the Gas Company as to the charge made for public lighting, and the following offer had since been made by the company :— Metres to be placed at three lamps — one at the top of the town, one in the middle of the town, and one at the bottom of the town, and the Board be charged for each lamp on the average of the three metres, and at the rate of 4s. 6d. per 1,000 feet of gas, and also the expense of lighting and cleaning. This offer to be considered at a larger meeting of the Board.

 

Eddowes's Journal - 1st July 1885

Local Board.—A special meeting was held on Wednesday night, present—Messrs. Brown, Clee, Deacon, Oldbury, Jones, and J. P. Davies (presiding).—Public Lighting: The offer of the Gas Company relating to this, was carefully considered, and it was resolved that the company's offer be accepted, providing the charge for cleaning and lighting the lamps be included in the charge of 4s. 5d. per thousand feet. It being understood by the Board that the test meters be left on the lamps and used for determining the consumption from year to year, and not for one year only.—It was farther resolved that in future the lamps be lighted from the 1st of September to the 1st of May inclusive

 

Eddowes's Journal - 20th June 1888

Public Lighting : The Clerk reported that the Gas Company would light the public lamps from the night before August fair to 11th September for 2s. 6d. per lamp.—Resolved that the 'company's offer be accepted.—Surveyor's Report: The Surveyor reported that one of the public lamps in Station Road has been broken by a horse and trap belonging to Mr. Murdoch, of Jenkinallis.—The Board ordered the lamp to be re-erected, and the expense charged to Mr. Murdoch

 

1891

Amos Perry, age 45, Gasworks Manager - Station Road

Charles Jones, age 47, Gas Stoker - Collins Buildings

Bromyard News - 11 May 1899

KNIGHTON

An explosion of gas occurred on Friday while Mr. Perry, the Gas Company's manager, and his assistant were repairing pipes at a home in West Street. While searching for and escape, the men came across an accumulation  of gas, which exploded, knocking both men down. Mr. Perry sustained injuries to his face and arms.

 

1901

Amos Perry, age 56, Gasworks Manager - Station Road

William W McLeod, age 28, Gas Fitting Engineer - Factory Green

Duncan Campbell, age 21, Gas Fitting Engineer - Factory Green

W H Morgan, age 23, Gas Fitter - Station Road

Christopher Webster, age 29, Gas Fitter - Stanage Park

 

Amos Perry and his wife Hanna left Knighton sometime in the following 10 years. They moved to Small Heath, Birmingham where Amos became a shop keeper.

 

1911

George Henry Jackson, age 42, Gasworks Manager - Gas House, Teme Green

William Abley Collins, age 55, Secretary Gasworks - Bryntyrian, Presteigne Road

Henry Jones, age 33, Brass Maker Gas fittings - Market Street

Reginald Jackson, age18, (son of George) Gas Fitter for the Gasworks - Gas House, Teme Green

 

Radnor Express - 7th January 1915

RADNORSHIRE FLOODS - GAS-SUPPLY CUT OFF AT KNIGHTON.

Heavy snow fell in the vicinity of Knighton in the early part of last week, and the main road between Knighton and Presteigne was at one point (near Offa's Dyke) covered to the depth of about 8 inches. A rapid thaw set in on the Wednesday, followed by a continual downpour, and these circumstances caused the river Teme, which divides Radnorshire from Shropshire at Knighton, to overflow its banks in the night, and on Thursday morning the fields, known as Panpunton, near the town, represented a miniature sea.

       Houses in the neighbourhood of the woollen factory, on Mill Green, were surrounded with water, and the inhabitants were compelled to remain in-doors, unless they cared to wade up to their knees in water. Some of them had to do this in order to get a supply of coal in for the morning's fire. In one or two cases the water penetrated into dwellings. The gas-works was soon flooded, and, in consequence, the supply of gas to private houses was immediately cut off.

 

Birmingham Daily Post - 6th March 1915

WANTED.— in small country gas works, a Stoker-Yardman 26s. a week winter, 25s. summer.— The Secretary, Gas Company, Knighton, Radnorshire.

 

Radnor Express 19th August 1915

Who Put the Lights Out?

Knighton Gas Company wrote stating that their agreement with the Council must terminate on May 31st 1916. The company regretted that, owing to the advance in the price of coal, they had found it necessary to take this step, as the present contract was being run at a loss. Mr Allcock; A rise of 5/- per ton in coal ought not to necessitate the breaking of this long-standing agreement with the council. The Surveyor said the lighting was not at all satisfactory. He could not manage the lamp-lighters, and, sometimes, after the lamps had been lighted, some ‘mongrels’ of boys climbed up the posts and put them out (Laughter). It would take all his time if he had to watch them. Mr Edward Griffiths said the lamps were put out too soon. He had noticed, when driving home soon after 10 p.m., that several had been put out and 11 o’clock was the time for it. The clerk said the surveyor must report upon these things, and the police should find out who extinguished the lamps.

 

Radnor Express - 22nd June 1916

The Gas Company had granted a rebate of £30 on the lighting contract, viz., £25, for the period from 'March to June, when the street lamps were not lighted, and £5 for a portion of the preceding period. The council considered the rebate satisfactory.

 

1920

Thomas Davies, Manager

William Abley Collins, age 64,  Secretary Gasworks

 

1923

John Thomas Cartwright, Gasworks Manager

Joseph Stephenson, Secretary Gasworks

 

There is a headstone memorial in St Nicholas, Norton Canon churchyard that says 'Albert Edward Breeze B.E.M.1900-1985 was the last Manager of the Hay-on-Wye, Presteigne and Knighton Gas Works'. Albert was awarded a B.E.M. (British Empire Medal) on 2nd January 1950

 

Sources

Kelly's Directory 1923

The National Archives (TNA) Reference:BT 41/338/1946 (Huge thanks to Dr Jane Cavell)

Various Newspapers as stated.

 

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