We are working on a project that is covering the demolition of Westbury cement works. It’s something that, if I am honest, I wasn’t very excited about when we first started it. Especially after we nearly didn’t get permission to operate on and fly over the site. When I first stepped foot on the site, saying I wasn’t inspired by it was an understatement!
All of the buildings are various shades of dust-covered grey. The buildings also show their age – the first kiln became operational in back in 1962. And on an already dull day on our first visit, I found it difficult to find something that I thought would look even half decent. I honestly didn’t think we could make something even remotely interesting.
It has also been a challenge to document the site. We have had to contend with less than favorable weather during many of our visits. We have had minor aircraft issues: magnetic interference, GPS issues; we’ve even had an aircraft incursion when we were at 350ft! OK, it wasn’t that close to our aircraft, but it certainly gets you on your toes, especially when moments before you’ve just had GPS loss! We even had to abandon a flying session through dirt in a motor – it has been eventful to say the least! Andy is convinced we are jinxed every time we step foot on site!
But over the months I have got to meet some of the people that kept the place breathing whilst it was operational, people that have spent decades of their lives working there, and I have got to know the place. I’ve walked around abandoned offices, locker rooms and workshops. Places that to me, looked like they had been abandoned in an emergency, with no one ever to return. Through stories, through old photographs I have been able to get an idea, create a picture of what it would have been like to have worked there and I now really understand why past and present employees are sad to see the site being demolished.
Since we first stepped foot on site on a very cold Saturday in February, I have grown fond of Westbury cement works, and although it has been exciting (for me) to see buildings being pulled down, part of me now feels a sadness when I watch the demolition. For over the past months it has yielded little secrets to me, I’ve had little glimpses into its past life. I was always fond of seeing the 410ft tall chimney breathe its white breath, and now I am a little better informed about the people, the lives and the work that went on to keep that chimney breathing.
There is still life at the site though. In amongst the noise and rumblings of the demolition, life goes on for the employees that remain. And the site still has little secrets and stories to tell…