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Author Topic: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?  (Read 14178 times)

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Offline Frank

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Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« on: May 17, 2007, 11:09:11 PM »
Set up in March 1966 in the Stourbridge are (Cradley Heath) by Michael Davies and primarily making cut 30% Lead crystal glass.

Carl Green managed the glasshouse.

Old Hall (J & J Wiggin Limited (1928-84)) handled their marketing and bought them out in 1969 http://www.oldhallclub.co.uk/jjw2.htm

Robert Welch designed a range of glass goblets "Serica" for them, possibly after they were bought out.

My interest is in the work of Bill Swinswood who made lampwork animals. Bambis, crocodiles, dog and lamp post, he almost certainly made this one

Did the firm use a label?
Does anyone have catalogues or contact with ex-workers?

Offline David E

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2007, 10:20:15 PM »
I've had a look in Jason Ellis' Glassmakers of Stourbridge & Dudley 1612-2002, which is very comprehensive. Absolutely no mention of any of these names.

However, this could be explained by Cradley Heath being just outside Stourbridge and this might have excluded these makers/names.
David
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Offline Frank

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2007, 11:26:13 PM »
Marcus had a contact, waiting to hear.

I suppose 2-3 years of independant operation is a bit short to get on the radar.

Sklounion

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2007, 07:11:11 AM »
Hi Frank,
The Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd, was dissolved in 1990.
Possibly that may mean that on the demise of Old Hall (were they bought by Oneida?) Bridge was bought back by Davies or others.
It does mean a slightly longer period to try to find information, as clearly Old Hall kept the company name, even tho it may have been dormant for a while.
Edit. Bridge remained as an autonomous unit, but were sold by Oneida, in 1984. They were bought by Cumbria Crystal, mainly for the pattern books, and production at Cradley ended in 84-85. Not known if Bill Swinswood moved to Cumbria. Mike Davies went on to start a company known as Kinver Crystal. Dave Davies retired when Bridge were bought by Old Hall. Info thanks to Nigel Wiggin, in conversation this morning.
Regards,
Marcus

Offline Max

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2007, 08:51:13 AM »
That's my dog & lampost, isn't it Frank?  :)
I am not a man

Offline Frank

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2007, 09:08:46 AM »
Yup, Max. :)

Remarkable Marcus, thank you.

Offline Frank

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2007, 12:08:58 PM »
Kinver Crystal are still operating http://www.kinvercrystal.com/
Cumbria Glass appear to be too but no website, possibly associated with Heron Glass http://www.heronglass.co.uk/ and unrelated to the Cumbria Glass Ltd (Glazing) that was recently dissolved.

Mod: Company name is Cumbria Crystal, not Cumbria Glass. See below.

Offline Anne

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2007, 11:34:45 PM »
Kinver Crystal are still operating http://www.kinvercrystal.com/
Cumbria Glass appear to be too but no website, possibly associated with Heron Glass http://www.heronglass.co.uk/ and unrelated to the Cumbria Glass Ltd (Glazing) that was recently dissolved.

Cumbria Glass... would that have been Cumbria Crystal? If so, they are alongside Heron Glass at Ulverston...  their website is here... http://www.cumbriacrystal.co.uk/
Cheers! Anne, da tekniqual wizzerd
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Sklounion

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2007, 05:11:27 AM »
Hi.
That will be the one.
Please could a moderator make the necessary correction, before the errors become truths. Also, there is no s on the end of Wiggin, so I'd be grateful if that could be altered.
Regards,
Marcus

Sklounion

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Re: Bridge Crystal Glass Co Ltd - Any information?
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2007, 01:40:24 PM »
Hi Frank,
Kinver went into liquidation 2004, and Mike Davies retired.

Company was bought by Brierley Hill Crystal that year.

Brierley Hill Crystal was originally founded in 1913, as Brierley Hill Glass, and was sold in 1941, to Harold Breese.
It became BHC, but that went into liquidation in 2001. It was bought by one of Breese's grand-sons, who also operates Staffordshire Crystal, also at Brierley Hill. Kinver site is maintained to allow former Kinver customers to order replacement items etc.

The lady I spoke to suggested that Bill Swinswood was not an employee at Kinver. Cumbria Crystal seem to think he did not move to Ulverston in 1984.

Mike Davies may have connections to Broadfield House, so you might try there.

Back to you Frank, I've done my best.
Regards,
Marcus

 

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