A glass act by Whitefriars (From Watford Observer)

A glass act by Whitefriars

3:22pm Friday 28th October 2011 in Exhibitions By Melanie Dakin

Glass-making as a local industry was dealt a cruel blow with the closure of the Whitefriars plant in Wealdstone. Harrow Museum has often displayed its Whitefriars collection but its latest exhibition, Whitefriars – Behind the Glass also tell the stories of those who worked within the factory’s walls.

The company moved to its purpose-built premises in 1923. Designed as a state-of-the-art manufacturing centre, the building boasted modern facilities and the latest technology. A garden suburb for Whitefriars workers was also in the pipeline, but was scrapped when the business came under economic pressure.

The history of Whitefriars glass dates back to the 18th Century and the Powell family (relations of Scout founder Baden-Powell), who were innovative in their approach to the industry. Harry James Powell studied chemistry and experimented with chemical processes to create new colours and more durable types of glass for scientific use.

Once settled in the Harrow area, Whitefriars enjoyed considerable success with its art deco styles and chunkier, textured glass created by Royal School of Art graduate Geoffrey Baxter in the 1960s using bark and household materials to create eye-catching shapes and styles. By the ‘70s paperweights, textured and traditional cut glass were still popular but an influx of Scandinavian designs and mass produced slab glass, couple with recession, led to the doors shutting for good in 1980.

Whitefriars – Behind the Glass runs until January at Harrow Museum, Headstone Manor, Pinner View, Harrow. Details: 020 8861 2626.