121 replies to this topic

[pyrotechnist]

Do you have anything on factory layouts, plans etc?

[exat808]

I will look in my collection of documents/books.
I have some info on factory layouts but mainly relating to government sites.

[pyrotechnist]

I finally have got some arial shots of Brocks in Scotland, looks in pretty good condition. Look forward to seeing any of your documentation Exat .

[exat808]

I think that all or part of the former Brocks site at Sanquhar is currently occupied by Explosive Developments Ltd. You can see part of the site by using the Google Street View facility and looking in on the site from the main road.

[crystal palace fireworks]

I too would be very interested in viewing any info on site layouts etc if possible? or for that matter anything on Brocks that you might have!

[exat808]

I am ploughing through some old reports etc as we speak. I have lots on Government sites and HE and GP factories . May have to stop for a football match later.
Will post any Brocks related info on this thread.

[crystal palace fireworks]

I am ploughing through some old reports etc as we speak. I have lots on Government sites and HE and GP factories . May have to stop for a football match later.
Will post any Brocks related info on this thread.

Thanks exat808, very much appreciated!

[pyrotechnist]

Brocks in Sanquhar doesn't actually seem to bad in quality, quite a modern complex compared to the individual shed approach. Though the site is neglected, looks like Brocks Explosives only use the main building and some storage magazines, not sure what else they use. Would be great if we could arrange a trip up there. Lovely factory though so much smaller to say it was more or less the last Brocks factory going until Standard bought them out, does anyone know if Brocks Explosives was related at all to Brocks?

It also has some of the worst security fencing I have ever seen.

Edited by pyrotechnist, 27 June 2010 - 04:41 PM.

[exat808]

Brocks in Sanquhar doesn't actually seem to bad in quality, quite a modern complex compared to the individual shed approach. Though the site is neglected, looks like Brocks Explosives only use the main building and some storage magazines, not sure what else they use. Would be great if we could arrange a trip up there. Lovely factory though so much smaller to say it was more or less the last Brocks factory going until Standard bought them out, does anyone know if Brocks Explosives was related at all to Brocks?

It also has some of the worst security fencing I have ever seen.

My understanding is that the site at Sanquhar belongs to Explosive Developments Ltd who are based at Pocklinton in East Yorkshire (Humberside). Most of the facilites on the site are mothballed as EDL no longer have a production requirement. However some of the stores may be in use although EDL do have other facilities in Scotland.

[pyrotechnist]

So what exactly do they use the site for now? it seems the mainly use the large building down the middle of the site, last time I was interior shots of the place I saw that it still contained bits of old machinery etc, wonder what is exactly left behind. Have you visited this place Exat? if so what is the condition of the buildings? are they salvageable?

[pyrotechnist]

So what exactly do they use the site for now? it seems the mainly use the large building down the middle of the site, last time I was interior shots of the place I saw that it still contained bits of old machinery etc, wonder what is exactly left behind. Have you visited this place Exat? if so what is the condition of the buildings? are they salvageable?

[crystal palace fireworks]

According to info I recieved from the local council last year, the owners of the site went under the name of; PC Shane, Management & Research Ltd. Its as exat808 said,...they are the same people based in Pocklington York.

They may well have been ex-employees/management that once worked for Brocks fireworks!

[exat808]

So what exactly do they use the site for now? it seems the mainly use the large building down the middle of the site, last time I was interior shots of the place I saw that it still contained bits of old machinery etc, wonder what is exactly left behind. Have you visited this place Exat? if so what is the condition of the buildings? are they salvageable?

I have regular professional contact with the current occupiers. It was used as an assembly plant for some shock tube related products but with the commercial market in decline the site is now unused. It is maintained but to a very minimal level.
Picture here of a container of one of the last Brocks products from the site - EOD sound units - I regularly use these and even being 20+ years old they still work fine. Brocks had high standards ( no pun).
My link

[pyrotechnist]

Would you be able to upload that pic to the forum, cant see it due to no membership. Do you know how bad of a condition the buildings are? from the outside they dont seem to bad, I just hope they dont sell the site or flatten it.

[exat808]

thanks to pyrotechnist - this link may take you to the image i was referring to in a previous post -
http://img190.images.../dscf0126u.jpg/