Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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Tennat's Alkali Works

Posted by peter cook on 11/4/2025, 6:52 am

Undated photo showing Tennant's Alkali Works, Hebburn. The works were sited to the east of Prince Consort Road and extended down towards the river and produced soda crystals, bleaching powders, sulphuric acid and soda ash.

Re: Tennat's Alkali Works

Posted by John Shearer on 11/4/2025, 9:41 am, in reply to "Tennat's Alkali Works"

Thanks Peter, Most of the Alkali factory had gone when I was a kid, (Thank God) but a big factory all the same.

Re: Tennat's Alkali Works

Posted by Norman on 11/4/2025, 9:56 am, in reply to "Re: Tennat's Alkali Works"

King George Playing Fields at the bottom of Prince Consort Rd stands on some of that land. My McNeill side of the family lived in Tyne View Tce which can be seen on the photo. It was the only building left when Tennants moved out of Hebburn and then rented out to a few families.

Re: Tennat's Alkali Works for Peter

Posted by Mac Cummings on 11/4/2025, 10:01 am, in reply to "Tennat's Alkali Works"

Thanks Peter
I really didnt know how important Alkali Works were until I googled it.
Glass, textiles, soap, and paper production all relied heavily on the product but the emmisions in the process were said to be horrendous.

Re: Tennat's Alkali Works for Peter

Posted by Norman on 11/4/2025, 10:28 am, in reply to "Re: Tennat's Alkali Works for Peter"

As Mac rightly said the emmissions were horrendous & Tennant's knew about it.
That's why their chimneys were built high, hoping the emmissions would disperse safely.
I wonder what damage was done to peoples lungs though because what goes up has to come down?

Re: Tennat's Alkali Works for Peter

Posted by Sheila on 11/4/2025, 6:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Tennat's Alkali Works for Peter"

The Tennant family were related to Lord Glenconner. All Scottish.

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