It was in Birmingham in 1805 that the great industrial process of manufactured gas first emerged to light the world. The technology grew rapidly, and spread across the UK.

A few large gas companies were established under royal charter while a greater number emerged under individual Statutory Acts of Parliament. Most were simply self-incorporated. Such was the case in Hungerford.

Contemporaneous with the development of manufactured gas technology came the spread of Britain's canal and rail network, and gas works were rapidly established in towns and factories as a source of light, and later for heating.

Thomas Atkins proposes a Gas Company, 1845: The initial proposal for a gas works in Hungerford came from Mr Thomas Atkins, a gas engineer from Bicester. He came to Hungerford in early 1845 with the idea of building a gas works, and lighting the town with gas. He persuaded Benjamin Keen and Henry Astley (a solicitor who had just come to the town, and who was later, in 1863, to marry Benjamin Keen's widow) to carry out a "canvass" of the town to judge the interest of such a scheme.

A public meeting was held in the Town Hall on Friday 13th June 1845; there was general support for the Gas Company, and a committee was formed.

Mr Atkins had a printed proposal made, dated 16th June 1845, outlining his full proposal, along with the commercial implications. Follow this link to read the full details of Thomas Atkins proposal. A further meeting was held on 20th June.

Initially, plans appear to have progressed smoothly. A committee was formed, and The Hungerford Gas & Coke Company was registered on 18th October 1845. However, there was much troubled water ahead!

The private company was formed with a view to lighting the houses of about 70-80 subscribers in the town. It was later proposed to "extend the measure to the lighting of the public streets and lanes [by gas], and in order to effect this, recourse is to be had to a recent Act of Parliament for the levying of Rates for the purpose".

Mr Walter Hall objects: This raised great alarm and opposition in the eyes of Mr Walter Hall, who produced a large public notice strongly opposing the plans, for fear that the Rates to be charged were out of the control of the ordinary citizens. The notice was couched in the strongest of terms. Follow this link for full details of Walter Hall's Opposing Proposition.

The canal bridge, decorated for King George V's visit in 1812, showing the gas lamps on the bridge parapets.

The Gas Company office c1920

Notice of a Public Meeting
on the formation of the
Hungerford Gas & Coke Company,
 Jun 1846