CHIMNEYS AT POOLE FELLED BY TOP MAN
Clearing a site at Poole for redevelopment presented something of a problem for the firm of William Thomas (Wellington Bricks) Ltd, for the land was dominated by three tall and long disused chimneys.
The chimneys were only a few yards from the main rail line to the west, and one was no more than 50 yards from occupied houses and another only six inches from a factory building the firm wanted to retain.
There was only one thing to do-call in one of Britain's top demolition experts.
Mr. Derek "Blaster" Bates, a breezy 50 year old North countryman knows more about explosives than the entire IRA. In the past 18 months he has felled 115 industrial chimneys and is the man police call in when they want to find out what kind of explosives have been used to blow safes or strongrooms.
His reputation as a raconteur has resulted in four LP records and in aid of charity he lectures up and down the country about his job.
Such is the fame of "Blaster" Bates that nearly 100 people turned out at 7a.m on Sunday to watch him work.
Seven houses where evacuated and the operation timed with the help of British Rail to ensure that no trains would be using the track.
Half an hour and less than 30lb of gelignite later the three chimneys were neat piles of rubble , with the buildings unscathed.
"It was a precaution that had to be taken" said Mr. Ivor Parrott, general manager "Mr Bates was sure the chimneys would come down on the site but we couldn't be completely certain"
The chimneys, 160ft, 130ft and 50ft high contained over 2,000 tons of bricks. The biggest and the smallest were kiln
There was only one thing to do-call in one of Britain's top demolition experts.
Mr. Derek "Blaster" Bates, a breezy 50 year old North countryman knows more about explosives than the entire IRA. In the past 18 months he has felled 115 industrial chimneys and is the man police call in when they want to find out what kind of explosives have been used to blow safes or strongrooms.
His reputation as a raconteur has resulted in four LP records and in aid of charity he lectures up and down the country about his job.
Such is the fame of "Blaster" Bates that nearly 100 people turned out at 7a.m on Sunday to watch him work.
Seven houses where evacuated and the operation timed with the help of British Rail to ensure that no trains would be using the track.
Half an hour and less than 30lb of gelignite later the three chimneys were neat piles of rubble , with the buildings unscathed.
"It was a precaution that had to be taken" said Mr. Ivor Parrott, general manager "Mr Bates was sure the chimneys would come down on the site but we couldn't be completely certain"
The chimneys, 160ft, 130ft and 50ft high contained over 2,000 tons of bricks. The biggest and the smallest were kiln
chimneys and the 130ft, a square chimney, was a drying shed chimney.
The demolition was a two day job because holes in which to put the explosives had to be drilled into the sides of the chimneys. The biggest of the chimneys presented most problems because it had four flue doors in the base and it's foundation legs were hollow. Holes had to be drilled vertically into the brickwork and about 8lb of gelignite was placed in them. A burning fuse, lit with Mr. Bates pipe, was used to detonate the explosive and as the chimney began to fall it cracked all the way along one side and started to break up at the top.
Mr. Bates's skill was shown when he brought down the second chimney, 130ft high and containing about 800 tons of bricks. It was only six inches away from an old building and the charge had to be laid so that it fell side ways and avoided the building. After the explosion only one small section of the buildings eaves had been damaged.
The whole operation, a by - stander said was pure artistry. Mr. Bates said, "It's just a common sense sort of job."
The site has been sold to Nynehead Developments Ltd for industrial development.
The demolition was a two day job because holes in which to put the explosives had to be drilled into the sides of the chimneys. The biggest of the chimneys presented most problems because it had four flue doors in the base and it's foundation legs were hollow. Holes had to be drilled vertically into the brickwork and about 8lb of gelignite was placed in them. A burning fuse, lit with Mr. Bates pipe, was used to detonate the explosive and as the chimney began to fall it cracked all the way along one side and started to break up at the top.
Mr. Bates's skill was shown when he brought down the second chimney, 130ft high and containing about 800 tons of bricks. It was only six inches away from an old building and the charge had to be laid so that it fell side ways and avoided the building. After the explosion only one small section of the buildings eaves had been damaged.
The whole operation, a by - stander said was pure artistry. Mr. Bates said, "It's just a common sense sort of job."
The site has been sold to Nynehead Developments Ltd for industrial development.
Wellington Weekly News 7th November 1973 (Three Chimneys at Taunton)
Copyright The Wellington Weekly News, Reproduced here with their kind permission.
Thanks to the Somerset Studies Library for Tracking down the factory and clipping.
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Thanks to the Somerset Studies Library for Tracking down the factory and clipping.
Right click and "Save As" to Download Original Scan - Download Problems?
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