Back in time with Halstead History Society.

THIS month we once again consider the changing face of Halstead’s industrial profile and heritage and the demolition of the factory premises in Colchester Road, used until recently by Central Piling Ltd.

The resulting open space, together with land which was once the site of the Blue Bridge Service Station which fronts on to the road, will now be developed into another residential area.

The proposed building of the, now demolished, factory was announced by K and L Steel Founders Ltd in the August 16, 1957 issue of the Halstead Gazette.

The new factory premises were officially opened by local dignitary and MP Rt Hon RA Butler who, at that time, was also Home Secretary and Lord Privy Seal.

Our photographs show visitors watching work in progress at the factory following the opening ceremony together with an aerial view of the overall site taken in about 1967.

The newly built factory was, in fact, an addition to an existing K and L Steel Founders and Engineers Ltd factory in Letchworth Herts.

Key personnel were transferred from Letchworth with the remaining workforce, of up to 100 people, recruited locally.

K and L were part of the “George Cohen 800 Group” originally formed in 1834.

The Halstead factory was initially used as a “finishing” department for steel castings produced in Letchworth prior to usage worldwide.

Following further acquisitions, K and L Steel Founders became known as Jones Cranes Ltd in 1968.

The foundry at Letchworth together with its subsidiary in Halstead closed in about 1979.