Volcrepe
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Volcrepe ltd. Was formed in 1931 and started its beginnings manufacturing rubber solings for footwear. In its later years it began producing specialist equipment to the Ministry Of Defence including Gas Masks for horses and the Home Guard as well as radio equipment.
In the 1950s the company whilst still producing footwear soling concentrated its efforts into cellular rubbers which it pioneered.
The company now produces rubbers for the aviation industry, oil, automobile, domestic and communications industries also.
The factory closed around 2000.
Volcrepe is split over in two sections with a road dividing it. The only connecting point is a small walkway high above the road with the company logo proudly painted on it. Although now some what faded and decayed.
Inside was a mixture of interesting and bare. Some rooms were stacked with paperwork dating back to the 1970s and earlier. Whilst other rooms contained nothing at all.
The top floors seemed to be the most interesting of all and contained heaps of rubber swatches listing the companys products as well as hundreds of brochures and catalogues.
What was nice to see upon entering this site was how undamaged it was, there is no signs of vandalism at all. The majority of the machinery has now gone but there are a few heavy pieces still lying around.
Although Volcrepe isnt a big site or indeed have a great deal to offer it is a rather enjoyable site. The odd bits is still has, do provide some half decent shots and the limited machinery that still resides there does fill in the blanks.
The other thing that makes it stand out is the fact that its entirely vandal free which is rare these days for any abandoned site.
Whilst there we also discovered an old map which indicated there was an Air Raid shelter built under the canteen during WWII. Unfortunatley the Air Raid shelter was converted after the war leaving no traces behind.
Its unclear if any thing will become of Volcrepe. To renovate the mill would no doubt spiral into the millions. So it will either be left for another 50 years to simply rot away. Be converted into commercial premises or possibly residential? Or simply demolished.
It would be a shame to see it go as it really is a time capsule and one that deserves to be preserved.
