Brocks Crystal Palace Fireworks
From GracesGuide
of Sutton, Surrey (1922)
Ditto Address. Telephone: Sutton 2081-2. Cables: "Fireworks, Sutton". (1929)
[1] The oldest and most respected of the firework firms and one whose name is synonymous with the national and international face of the British firework industry.
- Brock's began life in the early 1700's as the creation of John Brock, with its first factory located in the most unlikely of modern locations for such a practice, namely Islington, London.
- After passing through the control of several generations of the Brock family, the company became world famous for presenting what would become forever known as Brock's Benefits', displays for the enjoyment of the common public, the first of which was fired on July 10, 1826, and from 1865 onwards became a regular attraction at the site of the fabulous Crystal Palace.
- These Brock's displays continued regularly with a just a decade long break between 1910 and 1920 until the Palace was completely devastated by fire in 1936, an event which spelt the closure of this traditional and hugely popular firework institution. So connected with the palace was the company that they were renamed C. T. Brock and Co's 'Crystal Palace' Fireworks in 1865, a nomenclature reference that would live on long after Paxton's famous glass and iron structure had cooled to the touch.
- 1922 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of World-renowned "Crystal Palace" Fireworks, Unique Christmas Crackers, Novel Popular Joke Bombs, Sports Goods, Strong Wooden Toys. Speciality - Toy Cricket Bats and Sets. (Stand No. F.26) [2]
- 1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of the World-famous "Crystal Palace" Fireworks, Firework Displays in any part of the World, Sparklers, Indoor Fireworks, Firework Novelties and Christmas Crackers, Sports Goods, and Toy Cricket Bats and Sets. (Stand No. D.5) [3]
- During their long existence the Brock's production site moved a number of times, from South Norwood to Sutton and then to Hemel Hempstead where it remained until the 1971 when the business undertook its final relocation to two factories, one in Sanquar, Dumfriesshire, Scotland and the other at Swaffham in Norfolk, remaining there until 1981.
[edit] Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] Firework Art Website
- ↑ 1922 British Industries Fair p12
- ↑ 1929 British Industries Fair p29
