Cement work's past is captured for posterity

THE Castle Cement works at Padeswood may be about to enter an exciting new era with the introduction of the £60 million ultra-efficient kiln 4, but one former employee and local historical buff is ensuring the old systems will be forever recorded for future generations.

Mervyn Foulkes spent 37 years at the works before he took early retirement at the age of 58, seven years ago. And his growing interest in local history has prompted him to produce a video and DVD recording the current ‘wet’ system of producing cement.

Mervyn has spent the past year working on the project, writing the script and editing the video footage taken by Richard Knew of “Knew Productions” who has been recording the building of the new kiln for Castle Cement.

The end result is a 30-minute video/DVD which Mervyn hopes will stand as a permanent reminder to future generations of how cement used to be made.

“I’ve always had an interest in local history but never really had the time to pursue that interest,” said Mervyn, who is now an active member of the Buckley Society. “Since I left the company, I’ve retained a keen interest in what is going on there – remember, it’s been a very large part of my life.

“I thought it would be nice to record the old system so that when the new kiln comes into operation, we have something to remind us how it used to be done. The video/DVD will be given to the county archives office but we also hope to hand out copies to local primary schools.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on the project – it’s certainly taken up a large part of my time during the past year – and I hope people will enjoy the results,” added Mervyn, who lives in a company house close to the works.

Danny Coulston, general manager at Castle Cement’s Padeswood works  said: “We are about to enter an exciting new era at Padeswood but I think it is wonderful that the old system will not be forgotten and I am sure the video will prove a very useful asset for local people of all ages.”