History Details
These striking and unusual houses were built for the United Alkali Company Limited, later to become Imperial Chemical Industries who ran the nearby chemical site. They provided accommodation for senior managers and their families whilst they had a temporary posting on the site. Externally they have retained all of their original character and detail, the windows are modern (UPVC) but replicate the originals with no loss of character, a credit to the owners. I.C.I. who sold these houses into private ownership in 1977, were responsible for the introduction of many houses to Thornton when the town woke up to the need for workers accommodation. Mostly of terrace style in the Burn Naze area, but the influx of labour saw new builds everywhere.
Next door (other side of Heritage Way) once stood another works managers house which was later developed into the I.C.I. recreational club, the bus stop across the road was then known as "Managers".
The United Alkali Co. Ltd. / I.C.I. had interests in many houses across Thornton and Cleveleys, the most impressive being Skerryvore on Holmefield Avenue, Cleveleys. Picture Postcard Skerryvore shortly after being built in 1909 Picture by M. Pollard 2007 (from public access)
Skerryvore today, no longer symmetrical, note the absence of the hipped roof and rooms on the right side. It was demolished by a previous owner for reasons unknown. Skerryvore was one of the first houses to be built on land that was part of the Horrocks owned Towers shooting lodge 100 acre estate, then part of the Fleetwood Estate Company which totalled 2000 acres. The name Skerryvore comes from a Scottish lighthouse and the house was once owned by the famous Fleetwood winch makers called Robertsons, Mr. Robertson was also Mayor of Fleetwood. The name Skerryvore came later on in the life of the house, it was originally called Holmefield by the first owner Mr. Gadd, which may be where the name of the Avenue came from. Another house south of Skerryvore on the other side of the Towers present day Holmefield Avenue entrance later adopted the name Holmefield. This was demolished/ rebuilt beyond recognition in the nineteen eighties / nineties, but the name retained on the new build.
At some period in the life of the house Skerryvore was bought by the United Alkali Company who sold it back into private ownership to W. Lingard in March 1933.
Probably the most famous I.C.I. manager to live in Skerryvore was Mr. W.F. Lutyens (nothing to do with the famous Edwin Lutyens, Architect). He was General Manager of the Thornton United Alkali works at the time when it merged to become I.C.I. in 1927 but had left by 1928. He went on to become an Executive and Director. |