2-860-863 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Bloomdale China Clay and Stone Works, St Stephen-in-Brannel, Cornwall, 1919-1936. Men on the gantry outside the engine house from which the slurry pump is operated, at Bloomdale China Clay and Stone Works. This photograph forms part of a set within the album documenting the china clay industry of Cornwall, particularly focusing on the area around St Austell. China clay - also called kaolin - was used to make porcelain. The china clay industry was one of the main extractive industries in Cornwall. The images are accompanied by handwritten notes and descriptions of the processes involved in the production of china clay. Together they form a fascinating insight into the industry in the early-mid 20th century. The image numbers that form this set are ALB93/05/115 - ALB93/05/150. The caption by this image reads: "The next step is to bring it [the clay stream] from the slump to the surface of the pit. This is done by means of a 'slurry' pump, worked either by stream or electricity. 'Slurry' is defined in the dictionary as 'a thick paste of clay and water'".