Gypsum works. (1)
Gotham plaster works. (2)
Grid ref centred.

A First World War National Plaster Slab Factory was established at Gotham, Nottinghamshire in 1918. There had been difficulties experienced in the construction of new munitions factories and depots to supply the battlegrounds, and therefore it was decided to erect two National Factories to produce materials for the purpose. The other was at Yate, near Bristol. The land for the factory at Gotham was leased by Messrs. J. A. King and Company with the cost of building and equipment; £16,600 by 31st March 1919, being borne by the State. The firm had the option of taking over the factory after the war. The 1921 OS map (1:2500) shows a large complex of buildings at Gotham. The main ‘Slab Works’ was located next to the Great Central Railway line at SK53472936. The railway line was sited to link the various elements of the plaster works. On the opposite side of the line were a series of Gypsum Mines, which by then were disused. Nearby, at SK53722923, was a large complex of buildings labelled ‘Gotham Plaster Works’ which included a reservoir. Further down the line, at SK53513052, was a ‘Plaster Mill’ with a small tramway from it to the gypsum ‘Weldon Mine’. This mill pre-dated the rest of the works and is shown on the 1884 OS map (1:2500). The 2012 OS Map (1:2500) shows that all of the buildings have been demolished and that there is little physical trace of the once thriving industry at Gotham. (3) However the road called ‘Gypsum Way’ reflects the former course of the railway line which linked the component parts of the industrial works. (1-2, 5-6)

A First World War National Plaster Slab Factory was established at Gotham, Nottinghamshire in 1918. There had been difficulties experienced in the construction of new munitions factories and depots, and therefore it was decided to erect two National Factories to produce materials for the purpose. The other was at Yate, near Bristol. The land for the factory at Gotham was leased by Messrs. J. A.. King and Company with the cost of building and equipment; £16,600 by 31st March 1919, being borne by the State. The firm had the option of taking over the factory after the war. (4)

See M8894 for tramway.
See M8922 for mineral railway

<1> OS, 1:25000 (Map). SNT1082.

<2> OS, 1921, 1:2500, County Series 1921 (Map). SNT1030.

Other Refs: 45/15

<3> Historic England, 2021, National Record of Historic Environment (Digital archive). SNT5271.

<4> 1922, The Official History of the Ministry of Munitions, p. 225 (Published document). SNT6221.

<5> OS, 1884, 1:2500, County Series 1884 (Map). SNT1047.

<6> OS, 1900, 1:2500, County Series 1900 (Map). SNT1021.