Gibbons Iron Works:

The earliest was started by Richard Gibbons and his wife Mary. He and his brother James had begun work as an iron founder and whitesmith in Ramsbury in 1819, and they moved to Hungerford in 1824 along with their son Henry. The premises he occupied were at 16 Bridge Street. After they moved, Henry Gibbons developed an iron foundry business at the rear.

Hungerford and Kintbury were a focus for serious agricultural "Swing" riots in the autumn of 1830. On 22nd November 1830 a riot in Hungerford resulted in £260 damage being done to the Gibbons foundry in Bridge Street. On the same day, all the glass in the Tannery (now Great grooms Antiques, Riverside) was broken - 170 panes in all. Follow this link for more on the Agricultural "Swing" riots in Hungerford.

After the riots, the Gibbons family set about designing and building a new foundry on Bell Mead in Charnham Street (now Somerfield Petrol station and shop), which eventually opened c1839. They also built two semi-detached houses adjacent (now 9 & 10 Charnham Street) for their use, and their foundry manager. [See Reading Museum of Rural Life].
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Petrol station (site of the Kennet Works) with
9 & 10 Charnham Street, home of Gibbons family and the works manager

Henry Gibbons Kennet Works advertised as "manufacturer of Gibbons' patent moulding machines, lawn mower sharpeners, patent safety flush bolts and manufacturers of steam and hot water fittings and all kinds of agricultural implements (medals awarded)".

The business closed in 1931 and the family moved to Bishopstoke.

In 1936 their manager, Mr Ludford, became proprietor of Kennet Motor Works on the site.
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16 Bridge Street - Richard Gibbons
first foundry in Hungerford

Adverts for Gibbons
Kennet Works 1895

Kennet Motor Works, c1939

Texaco Service Station 8th Mar 1992
The night before demolision

Cottrell & Co.

The first Mr Cottrell (possibly Levi Cottrell) started the business c.1869. He developed the Eddington iron works, and in due course it was taken over by his son George Cottrell.

Kelly Directory describes them as "iron founders, millwrights, agricultural implement and boiler makers; patentees of the 'Climax' (gold medal) folding elevator and prize medal engines and water carts".

Two of their employees were notorious when in December 1876. Brothers Henry and Francis Tidbury, were found guilty of the murder of two policemen at nearby Folly Crossing. Follow this link for more on the Police Murders of 1876.

A disastrous fire occurred at Cottrell's Works on 23rd December 1892. The Parish Magazine of January 1893 records: "This fire must have convinced the most sceptical of the absolute necessity of an efficient organisation for dealing with accidental or incendiary fires. Had it not been for the prompt and energetic action of the Fire Brigade with their powerful Steam Engine, the whole of the extensive premises and probably all the houses in Eddington must have been destroyed. As it was, the damage done was most lamentable, and must be the occasion of considerable loss and inconvenience to the Firm, to whom Hungerford owes so much of its prosperity. The fire appears to have originated in the foundry, where casting operations had been proceeding a few hours previously; and the flames rapidly extended to the pattern room, which contained patters valued at many hundred pounds. The casting stores were completely destroyed, and portions of the showroom and blacksmith's shop were also burned. The damage done is estimated at £2,000. With his usual consideration for his work people, Mr Cottrell has arranged to find employment for those who were engaged in the casting and moulding departments, so that none will be out of work in consequence of the fire."

After Cottrell's Iron Works closed in 1911, the site was used as a motor business, initially called Eddington Garage. In 1922 it was bought by Bill Norman, and the business ran under the name of Norman's Garage until 1970.

Close by was Hardings Steam Traction proprietors. They opened on the opposite (south) side of the road in 1911, and operated until 1918 when the site was sold to the Barr family, who opened the timber mill on the site (now Garden Art).

Cottrell, Rose & Co 1903

Catalogue, 1897, including
Improved One Horse Cart - £15 0s. 0d.
Award winning 'Climax' Elevator £42 0s 0d.

Eddington Garage
c1922

Total Service station - near site of former
Cottrell, Rose & Co Eddington Works