Archived Report - Bryan Donkin Valves - Chesterfield

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After failing the first attempt and getting caught on the second, i decided to give it another try on xmas-day morning.
Since the site is undergoing total demolition, i had to go and see what was left of it. Also after seeing `Dweebs` reports on the offices, tyhe urge grew.
On the morning i drove past the security hut a couple of times, no one there, but still played it safe and took another entry.
I was amazed at how much of the site has been demolished. Walking over the rubble i headed to the casting shop, had a gander in there then headed to another large shed that also looked like a casting shop. Then headed off to see the pattern stores, i was amazed at how many there was and some huge and some quite small, all stacked in groups. The work that muist have gone into the paterns is also amazing.
Then off to see the offices, the first one was the draughtmans office, crammed full of old drawings. Thanks to Dweeb for finding this part and posting the report.
Next was the huge offices that look over the main road, didn`t spend too long in this part, as im sure an alarm went off, the secuirty guy cam out of his office and looked like he was headed for me so i decided to do one and go back for my lunch. As Dweeb mentions its amazing how rotten the floors are inside the offices, after not been vacant for a huge amount of time.

Looking out across the rubble








Think this may have been where some patterns were manufactured>?


Some old job cards scattered about, giving some info on patterns


A memo talking about `order situations` not improving and decisions on the fate of some patterns. Dated 3/3/92








Lettering used on the wooden patterns


Clock is wank?


Huuge calipers


Upstairs in the pattern stores


An old wood pattern that looks like fencing/railings used in the streets






In the design office


Old drawings


Cut away model of a Donkin Gas valve


In the office atick was this old record player and what looks like a valve amplifier