Mansfield, Notts (Rock Valley)

Image: © David Hallam-Jones Taken: 15 Jul 2012

The bridge carrying St Peter's Way (the A6009, dual carriageway) over Rock Valley. The viewpoint seen here is the site of the former Metal Box plc factory. Barringer, Wallis & Manners began a business on this site in the late 19th century. The site was divided into two separate sections, 'Rock Valley Mill' at the north end producing mustard and 'Rock Valley Tin Works' to the south. The company became Barringer Wallis and Manners Ltd in 1895. Over a period of thirty years the site was expanded massively with four new three-storey blocks being built. In 1919, for example, a four-storey block was designed by Mansfield architects, Cook, Howard & Lane. The new building with its prominent landmark clock tower was completed in 1927. The mustard business was sold to Colman's of Norwich in 1919 and in 1939 Barringer Wallis and Manners Co. Ltd was subsumed into the Metal Box Company. When Metal Box plc ceased using the site and the premises were bought by Crown Specialty Packaging, although they have now moved elsewhere. Most of the buildings were demolished in 2011 leaving the clock tower standing alone.

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