Peglers Chimney

St Catherines Avenue Balby, Doncaster

Landmark, art work or way finder

Assets whose form and function are readily visible, but which are not Buildings. This category includes signage and works of art such as murals and statues.

Asset type

This chimney stands as a focal point within the local landscape. It is situated alongside the main East Coast railway line so it is easily visible by train travellers as well as from many points around Doncaster

Rarity

There is no other large brick built chimney of its size and status within the local landscape.

Architectural and Artistic Interest

A robust, plain, all circular brick chimney. The shaft of the chimney is 200 feet high and has an overall diameter at the top of 9 foot. It will withstand a wind pressure of 120mph. It was designed and erected by the Steeplejack and Engineering Company of Castle Boulevard, Nottingham. The foundations were prepared by Messrs W. Firth, the local Public Works contractors. The concrete raft upon which it stands being nearly 30 feet square by 4 foot thickness. Mostly local materials were used in the building of the shaft. From their Stairfoot Works, Messrs Y.A.P. Ltd supplied 175,000 bricks of which 50,000 were specifically made to the ratios required for the outside. It has some brick banding close to the top for possibly both practical and visual reasons. The name "PEGLERS" in distinctive large upright lettering in a bold sans-serif style runs down the chimney on 2 sides. The name was inserted on the two sides made with specially made white glazed bricks. Each of the large letters is 6 feet high by 3 feet wide and the smaller letters 4 feet by 2 feet 3 inches . The chimney has an independent firebrick lining and some 12,000 special firebricks were used. The estimated weight of the shaft complete is 800 tons and it constitutes a very imposing landmark.

Historic Interest

A tall 200 foot brick built chimney was completed at Christmas 1934 by Pegler Brothers and Company, attached to their Belmont works which were opened in 1904. The company was founded in 1899 to manufacture plumbing fittings. In World War 1 this became a aircraft Engine foundry with the plant producing Sopwith Camel aeroplanes. The company was incorporated as Pegler Bros. & Company (Doncaster) Limited in 1914 and renamed "Peglers Limited" in 1932. In 1935 the company’s 200 foot brick built chimney was erected. The furnace the chimney served is now redundant but the chimney remains and the site has been redeveloped as an industrial estate. 100s of local residents worked at "Peglers" who still trade from these premises and it is a reminder of a significant local industry.

Landmark Status

As the chimney stands 200 feet high and has the wording of "Peglers" up two sides of it it is a well known structure within the Doncaster area. It can be seen form many parts of the town and from the main East Coast railway that runs alongside it and is probably Doncaster's most famous landmark.

14 Aug 2023

14 Aug 2023