Bennerley Ironworks
near Ilkeston
1880 'At the Bennerley Ironworks, Ilkeston, belonging to the Awsworth Coal and Iron Company, a new blast furnace is being erected, new pig beds are constructed, and other extensions being made'.[1]
1889 'THE FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION AT ILKESTON. INQUEST AND VERDICT. The adjourned inquiry into the circumstances attending the deaths of the lads William and Harry Stanley was resumed at the Durham Inn, Ilkeston, on Thursday night, before Mr. Coroner Whiston. Mr. J. B. Slack watched the proceedings on behalf of Mr. E. P. Davis, the owner of Bennerley furnaces. ....'[2]
1918 'The Zeppelin Raid on Derby ..... Eight bombs, I believe, were dropped at this point, one just missing the Great Northern viaduct by a few yards The bombs fell in the fields adjacent to the line, but one actually fell so close to the Bennerley Ironworks as to slightly injure one of the employees. ...'[3]
1934 'BLAST FURNACES ACQUIRED
OFFICIAL ILKESTON STATEMENTS
Messrs. Thos. W. Ward, Ltd., of Sheffield, have acquired for dismantling purposes the Bennerley Blast Furnaces, near Ilkeston. The furnaces were originally built by Mr. E. P. Davis in about 1870, and the "Awsworth" brand of Derbyshire, foundry pig-iron is well known. For the 20 last years only two of the three original furnaces have been in blast, and the furnaces have not produced pig-iron since March, 1931. The Erewash blast furnaces of the same company were dismantled five years ago by Messrs. Ward.
MAKING TARMACADAM
Mr. A. W. Simpson, managing director of the Bennerley Iron Co., Ltd., told a " Telegraph" representative today that since the furnaces were closed three years ago his company had carried on making tarmacadam from the slag heaps at the furnaces. Beween and 20 and 30 men are employed at this work, which will now be carried on by Messrs. Ward," he said. Ihe Bennerley Iron Co. will still carry on dealing in the slag. There is enough of it left to give employment for a number of years yet." An official of Messrs. Ward said: "We have purchased the three furnaces and other plant, and will carry on making tarmacadam".'[4]
The 1899 O.S. map shows the ironworks and the Bennerley Viaduct. After the demolition of the ironworks a British Coal distribution depot served by sidings from the Midland Railway occupied the same site. This has now also been demolished.