Brocks Fireworks
Encyclopedia
Brocks Fireworks, formerly known as Brocks Explosives Ltd, was a well-known manufacturer of fireworks, founded in London
and subsequently based in Hemel Hempstead
, Dumfriesshire
and Norfolk
. The company was taken-over
by its rival Standard Fireworks
in 1988.
Brocks was founded in the early 18th century in Islington
by John Brock and it is thought to have been the oldest British firework manufacturer.
In 1825 the factory was located in a residential area in Baker's Row, Whitechapel
: it was blown up when a boy who was ramming gunpowder into a fire-cracker accidentally created a spark which ignited it, and threw it aside as he ran out in fright. Fifty pounds of gunpowder and a large amount of saltpetre exploded immediately, blowing the roof off, setting fire to the building, and smashing every pane of glass in most of the adjoining streets.
The company moved to south London, to South Norwood
and Sutton
and developed an association with The Crystal Palace
, devising spectacular free public displays (known as "Brock's Benefits") and adopting "Crystal Palace" as a brand name.
The 1887 and several subsequent editions of Whitaker's Almanack
have advertisements for Brocks, under an earlier name: it provided for the Crystal Palace company, the UK War Office
, Government of India, and many other bodies.
The company moved to Hemel Hempstead in 1910 and stayed there until 1971, when it moved again, this time to Swaffham
, Norfolk and Sanquhar
, Scotland. In the 1930s, Brocks built homes and a sports club for its workers near to its 207 acre (0.83770002 km²) site on the north eastern side of Hemel Hempstead The street names (Ranelagh Road and Vauxhall Road) reflected earlier associations in south London.
Henry Brock died in 1938 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Leverstock Green
.
Brocks Fireworks was bought out by Standard Fireworks in 1988, but the name lasted into the 21st century as a brand name for some imported products.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and subsequently based in Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 ....
, Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries is a registration county of Scotland. The lieutenancy area of Dumfries has similar boundaries.Until 1975 it was a county. Its county town was Dumfries...
and Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. The company was taken-over
Takeover
In business, a takeover is the purchase of one company by another . In the UK, the term refers to the acquisition of a public company whose shares are listed on a stock exchange, in contrast to the acquisition of a private company.- Friendly takeovers :Before a bidder makes an offer for another...
by its rival Standard Fireworks
Standard fireworks
Standard Fireworks is a former UK-based firework company, now a brand name of Chinese firm Black Cat Fireworks.Standard's history began in 1891, when it was founded by James Greenhalgh in Huddersfield....
in 1988.
Brocks was founded in the early 18th century in Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
by John Brock and it is thought to have been the oldest British firework manufacturer.
In 1825 the factory was located in a residential area in Baker's Row, Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
: it was blown up when a boy who was ramming gunpowder into a fire-cracker accidentally created a spark which ignited it, and threw it aside as he ran out in fright. Fifty pounds of gunpowder and a large amount of saltpetre exploded immediately, blowing the roof off, setting fire to the building, and smashing every pane of glass in most of the adjoining streets.
The company moved to south London, to South Norwood
South Norwood
South Norwood is an urban town and in south London, England, in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a suburban development 7.8 miles south-east of Charing Cross. South Norwood is an electoral with a resident population in 2001 of just over 14,000...
and Sutton
Sutton, London
Sutton is a large suburban town in southwest London, England, and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Sutton. It is located south-southwest of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. The town was connected to central London by...
and developed an association with The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace was a cast-iron and glass building originally erected in Hyde Park, London, England, to house the Great Exhibition of 1851. More than 14,000 exhibitors from around the world gathered in the Palace's of exhibition space to display examples of the latest technology developed in...
, devising spectacular free public displays (known as "Brock's Benefits") and adopting "Crystal Palace" as a brand name.
The 1887 and several subsequent editions of Whitaker's Almanack
Whitaker's Almanack
Whitaker's Almanack is a reference book, published annually in the United Kingdom. The book was originally published by J Whitaker & Sons from 1868 to 1997, then by The Stationery Office, from 2003 to 2010 by A & C Black and from 2011 by .-Content:...
have advertisements for Brocks, under an earlier name: it provided for the Crystal Palace company, the UK War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
, Government of India, and many other bodies.
The company moved to Hemel Hempstead in 1910 and stayed there until 1971, when it moved again, this time to Swaffham
Swaffham
Swaffham is a market town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The town is situated east of King's Lynn and west of Norwich.The civil parish has an area of and in the 2001 census had a population of 6,935 in 3,130 households...
, Norfolk and Sanquhar
Sanquhar
Sanquhar is a town on the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It lies north of Thornhill and west of Moffat. It is a Royal Burgh.Sanquhar is notable for its tiny post office , claimed to be the oldest working post office in the world...
, Scotland. In the 1930s, Brocks built homes and a sports club for its workers near to its 207 acre (0.83770002 km²) site on the north eastern side of Hemel Hempstead The street names (Ranelagh Road and Vauxhall Road) reflected earlier associations in south London.
Henry Brock died in 1938 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Leverstock Green
Leverstock Green
Leverstock Green is a suburb in Hemel Hempstead, in the English county of Hertfordshire. It is located on the eastern edge of the town.Leverstock Green contains a village school , village cricket club, village football club , village hall, village shops, village pubs and Holy Trinity church...
.
Brocks Fireworks was bought out by Standard Fireworks in 1988, but the name lasted into the 21st century as a brand name for some imported products.