Glass Message Board
Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Frank on May 17, 2007, 11:09:11 PM
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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 (http://www.debook.com/animal/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/42d949c2667f027fa9488c9fe4c351b0.jpg)
Did the firm use a label?
Does anyone have catalogues or contact with ex-workers?
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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.
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Marcus had a contact, waiting to hear.
I suppose 2-3 years of independant operation is a bit short to get on the radar.
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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
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That's my dog & lampost, isn't it Frank? :)
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Yup, Max. :)
Remarkable Marcus, thank you.
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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.
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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/
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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
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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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More than enough, greatly appreciated :)
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Frank, label here http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,30453.0.html if you are still looking.
John
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Greetings all, Re Bill Swingwood. I can confirm that Bill remained in the Stourbridge area after the Bridge Crystal works were taken over by old hall. Bill was not actually an employee but rented some workspace to perform his magic. As a young lad I spent a great many hours watching Bill at work and was much saddend when he died in the mid 1980s. Hope this helps
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Every bit helps in these endless threads with loose ends galore.
Hadjamach adds some confusion, or illumination, by naming him Bill Swingewood. With a Senior from Early 20th century including at S&W 1928-39 and Junior 1950s/60s in Stourbridge. Senior may also have been producing lampwork at Arculus prior to S&W
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Tedwyn's post re glasses split off and merged into topic:
http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,43098.30.html
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Hi Frank, just being doing a bit of research on Old Hall in respect of a couple of candle holders I picked up and the ebay 'myth' they were designed by Robert Welch and the shades made by Whitefriars?
The link.. http://www.oldhallclub.co.uk/jjw2.htm appears to dead it doesn't work for me anyway.
Found this one if it helps with the thread.....
http://www.oldhallclub.co.uk/html/beware.html
Chris
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Thank you.
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Hi all,
With regard to Bill Swingewood and the confusion that seems to be around. There were indeed two William Henry Swingewood's.
William Henry Swingewood b1916 (My Grandfather) and William Henry Swingewood b1893 (My Great Grandfather)
Some lamp work was made up until recently by my uncle - Colin Swingewood. - My one regret in life is not sitting with my Grandfather with his lamp at his studio in the back garden in Stourbridge.
I hope that clears up any confusion.
Regards - Paul
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Notice of the death in 2012 of Michael Davies here https://www.glassmessages.com/index.php?topic=49510.0