Murgatroyd Brine Pumps open day to take place in September

For the past four years, refurbishment works have taken place at the Murgatroyd Brine Pumps to bring them to a point where visitors can be welcomed at the site.

The derelict 19th century pumps, which supplied brine to Murgatroyd’s Salt and Chemical Works for more than 70 years, were rescued by volunteers at from the Middlewich Heritage Trust.

But, under the leadership of former heritage development officer Kerry Kirwan, the volunteers have worked to restore the registered monument with financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic England, the Association for Industrial Archaeology, and Cheshire East Council. 

And on August 13, Cheshire East councillors David Edwardes, Garnet Marshall and Carol Bulman, paid a visit to the site to review progress on the refurbishment.

In welcoming the councillors, Mike Walton, the chairman of Middlewich Heritage Trust, said: "We are proud of the progress made over the past four years in bringing the site back to a point where we can now welcome visitors.

Middlewich councillor Carol Bulman on the site visit (Image: Steve Broadfoot)

"As a result of this demanding project, the town now has a valuable community project, a sustainable education centre, and visitor resource which we are pleased to say is being used to provide enhanced local history and technical education for local schools."

The pumps formerly supplied brine to Murgatroyd’s Salt Works in Brooks Lane, from 1890 until they closed in 1966.

Murgatroyd’s Chemical Works, near the Kings Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal, was also supplied. The chemical works were sold to Brunner Mond and ultimately were owned by ICI until their closure in 1962.

Cllr Edwardes, Cheshire East's deputy mayor, thanked the trust volunteers for the invitation to visit and preserving such an important part of Cheshire’s heritage, adding he was 'fascinated by the project'.

Cllr Garnet Marshall, right, learning more about the Murgatroyd Brine Pumps (Image: Steve Broadfoot)

Mr Walton added: "The facility was a major source of supply to the emerging industries of Cheshire and South Lancashire, a unique relic of our long lost industrial heritage.

"It is available for all to see and learn how industry in Middlewich developed from the late 1800s - quadrupling the town’s population.

"People who wish to see the only remaining evidence of this important part of the town’s industrial history are encouraged to visit the site, which the trust opens to the public for one weekend in each month during the summer period and on request at other times for visits by schools, groups and societies."

The final open weekend for 2024 is September 14 and September 15. For further detail please visit middlewich-heritage.org.uk/visit-us/.