Rugeley

An Industrial Town

Rugeley is a town in Staffordshire with a long industrial heritage. Noted in the Domesday book in 1086, the town later became a market town in the 13th century. Sitting on the banks of the River Trent, Rugeley was known in the medieval period for iron working and glass manufacture. During the Industrial Revolution, the Trent and Mersey canal benefitted the town, which was becoming known for its coal provision. Lea Hall Colliery began producing coal in the early 1960s and the town played host to two coal-fired power stations from the 1960s until their final demolition in July 2021.

Construction of ‘Rugeley A’ power station began in the 1950s and was opened in 1961. The power station, with its 5 cooling towers, was powered by coal taken from the adjacent colliery and was the first such arrangement in Britain. ‘Rugeley B’ power station was commissioned in 1970, adding a further four iconic cooling towers to the skyline.

Rugeley A was decommissioned in the early 1990s following the closure of the colliery in 1991 and was eventually demolished in 1996, making way for new housing. Rugeley B continued operating until 2016. Demolition of the site began in 2019 with the four cooling towers coming down as a dramatic finale in July 2021.

A short history of Rugeley produced by Fuzzy Duck for Transforming the Trent Valley, narrated by David Coles a former employee at the Rugeley Power Station.

Rugeley Power Station cooling towers demolition, July 2021. Paul L.G. Morris/TTTV

Old Chancel

This is a 3D reconstruction of the Old Chancel in Rugeley, the remains of the original St Augustine’s church, dating back to the 12th century. You can use the image to explore the space virtually.

This reconstruction has been created by Iulian Praz using 3D scanning and permission to use have been given to TTTV with thanks.