Fireworks Nostalgia - Gunpowder

Gunpowder is of course, a main component of fireworks, and used to be made extensively throughout Britain. Like many British manufacturing industries it has disappeared today, but much remains as 'visitor attractions' or just sites which you may encounter on a country walk.

This tin of gunpowder, made by Hall & Sons of Faversham, was found under the floorboards during building work in Arkwrights Stores in Cromford, Derbyshire. It was said that 'Tower Proof' refers to the claim that it can be stored without detriment in the Tower of London for a year.

The main requirements for manufacturing gunpowder are:
1. Accessibility of a port: two of the three ingredients were imported
2. Proximity of forests: charcoal - preferably alder or willow - is the third ingredient
3. Water: needed not only for the manufacturing process but also to drive the machinery. Hence centres of production were gunpowder mills.
4. An isolated location: in case of accidents and for testing of the finished product.
It helped also if the industries which were heavy consumers of powder, such as quarrying and mining, were closely situated.