Sandwell Council and the Chance Heritage Trust today (Tuesday 28 February) signed a Memorandum of Understanding relating to the heritage–led regeneration of the Chance Glassworks site in Smethwick. The Chance Glassworks site is bordered by road, rail and water. The highly iconic and recognisable seven-Storey building, built in 1847, is visible from all angles and represents a massive part of the history of the company.
This book was originally published in 1951 by Chance Brothers Limited to celebrate its 100th anniversary of Lighthouse manufacturing. Fortuitously, 1951 also represented the anniversary of the Great Exhibition held at the Crystal Palace that Chance Brothers was responsible for glazing with around one million square foot of sheet glass. We have painstakingly reconstructed this text to mark our Bicentenary Celebration, read on to find out more and obtain your very own copy.
A celebration has been held to mark 200 years since a famous glassworks opened. Read more on the BBC News website by clicking 'find out more' below.
Thanks to UK News Group for amplifying our Bicentenary Celebration event. You can read the full article by clicking 'find out more' below.
We are celebrated 200 years since the founding of the Chance Glassworks on Spon Lane. We marked this occasion at West Smethwick Park at the new Pavilion. We also brought back some of our engagement activities to thank all of the people who helped make 'Made in Smethwick' possible.
We are opening up the site once again as part of #HeritageOpenDays, this year is a little different as we are combining tours of the Glassworks with an afternoon event, ' What future do you want for Smethwick’s industrial past?' This is a rare opportunity to access the Chance Glassworks one of the most iconic industrial heritage sites in the Midlands and have your say about the future of Smethwicks Industrial past.
We are inviting people to help create an explorable online map that shows exactly where Chance lighthouses are located, along with photos, technical details, and the key information about their history that brings each one to life. Who commissioned them? Why in those particular locations? Which model of lens did they have? What was their unique ‘light character’ or signal? Are they still in use? Can you visit them today? And what condition are they in?