The Gasworks |
The town's gasworks in Hempton Road, Fakenham were built in 1846 and produced town gas for almost 120 years. Initially the works operated as a trust, but in 1849 the ‘Fakenham Gas and Coke Company’ was established as a number of local businessmen and dignitaries took up shares in the new company. In the 1960s thousands of old gas producing plants throughout the country quickly became redundant following the discovery of North Sea gas and the installation of a nationwide natural gas network.
Gas production in Fakenham ceased in 1965 and became the only remaining example of a town gasworks in the country. The Norfolk Industrial Archaeological Society together with Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust arranged for the works to be leased and converted into a museum. The museum was opened by the Duke of Gloucester in 1987.
Gas production in Fakenham ceased in 1965 and became the only remaining example of a town gasworks in the country. The Norfolk Industrial Archaeological Society together with Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust arranged for the works to be leased and converted into a museum. The museum was opened by the Duke of Gloucester in 1987.
© 2011 Fakenham & District Community Archive.
Created in-house by Fakenham & District Community Archive
Created in-house by Fakenham & District Community Archive