Rock Valley, Mansfield, Notts.

Image: © David Hallam-Jones Taken: 7 Feb 2016

A view from Bath Lane, i.e. the B6033, towards Rock Valley, with several church spires in the town centre beyond. In 1895 Barringer, Wallis & Manners Ltd began a business in the former quarry site ahead. 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. Over a period of thirty years the site was expanded massively and a new four-storey block - designed by Mansfield architects, Cook, Howard & Lane and incorporating this clock tower - was completed in 1927. 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 Speciality Packaging, although later on they moved elsewhere. Most of the buildings were demolished in 2011 leaving the clock tower standing alone. At the end of 2020 Jackson Design Associates submitted plans for a retirement community development consisting of approx 36 apartments, 4 maisonettes and 29 bungalows, a project that is currently awaiting consideration. Behind the tower, a road bridge carries an elevated section of St Peter's Way (A6009) over this former quarry. On 23 October 2023 the local planning committee passed a development application for 27 bungalows and 47 apartments in two blocks, one on each side of the clock tower, on this site. See also: http://www.neolithicsea.co.uk/mansfieldmetalbox/content/SDIM8814_large.html

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0