1900 - 1950

Following the First World War there was a reduced demand for gunpowder and in 1918 explosive manufacturers grouped together to form a holding company called ‘Explosive Trades Ltd’.

In 1920 ‘Explosive Trades Ltd’ became ‘Nobel Industries’.

In this photograph of the Corning House at Oare, taken in the 1920s, the millman at the centre is emptying press cake into a bucket elevator to take it up to the first set of 'cracker' rollers.

In 1926 they were modernised and ‘Nobel Industries’ merged to form ‘Imperial Chemical Industries’, better known as ICI.

The entrance gates in about 1930

Incorporation Mill

In 1934 ICI closed the three remaining factories at Faversham – Home Works, Oare Works, and Marsh Works – and many of the buildings were demolished. Some of the machinery from Oare was moved to Ardeer, in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Machinery from Oare that was moved to Ayrshire
		All that remains of the glazing house are the foundations and two arched openings allowing the leat to pass through the thick blast wall

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Things You Can Do
Visit Oare Gunpowder Works
Change Through Time
A Present Day Virtual Tour

Other Websites
Faversham Society

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