Money going up in smoke

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 22 Nov 2013

James Brydges (1673-1744) was a well-to-do man; he was created Marquis of Caernarvon and Duke of Chandos in 1719, and then in 1721 was granted the manor and lordship of Bridgwater, as well as being made paymaster-general of the forces abroad. He had a desire to boost the little port of Bridgwater and turn it into a busy and prosperous town. He spent lots of money on various projects (like Castle Street) and this cone was established to produce glass. The initial estimate of £1,610 had grown to over £3,000 by 1733 and the cone was still half built. It managed to make some window and bottle glass but the Duke was eventually resigned to making a big loss on the works. After 1733, it had a mixed history, seeing use as an iron foundry and then a pottery until 1939. It was later demolished but the remaining structures were preserved in 1985.

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