Timeline Calne: 1920 - C. &. T. Harris' St. Dunstan factory built

St. Dunstan Factory and Bank House, C. & T. Harris. Photo Credit: Don Lovelock Collection, Calne Heritage Centre

The massive factory, originally known as St. Dunstan's, had four storeys plus a basement level. The factory was of brick-clad steel construction, but the design of Hall Williams and Company.

The basement was used as cellars and chill rooms, with the ground floor for pie making. The first floor was used for offices (with Bank House, also offices and a laboratory), with the second floor was used for the manufacture of sausages. The third floor saw the canning operations, with the fourth floor having a kitchen. The building had many lifts, with one managing a load of up to 3.5 Tons.

Rooftop view.
Photo Credit: Don Lovelock Collection, Calne Heritage Centre

This factory was built on the site of Grade II listed, St. Dunstan's House, which was taken down and then rebuilt at Lickhill Road. This site, which is now home to Carnegie Mews and the Heritage Quarter car park, is the reputed site of the infamous witan. This witan, held in 978 on the first floor of the building used for the meeting, was discussing the matters of Benidictine Rule of the church, including the celibacy of priests, which St. Dunstan was in favour of. At some point, the floor collapsed, with Dunstan alone managing to escape injury by supporting himself on a beam[2].

Demolition of the factory.
Photo Credit: Don Lovelock Collection, Calne Heritage Centre

Between 1984-85, this factory was demolished, as the people of Calne said goodbye to the bacon industry that had been the main employer for so many years.


References:
[1] Bromham, J., 1985. C and T Harris (Calne) Limited - a Brief History -. 1st ed. Self publication
[2] Calne, Past and Present: Timeline Calne: 978, Archbishop Dunstan and the Calne witan. [ONLINE] Available at: https://calnepastandpresent.blogspot.com/2019/02/timeline-calne-978-archbishop-dunstan.html. [Accessed 28 March 2020].

Notes:
To see more of the Don Lovelock Collection, visit Calne Heritage Centre. For more information see: calneheritage.co.uk