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Sugar beet processing JLP01_08_082654
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Sugar beet processing JLP01_08_082654
WISSINGTON SUGAR FACTORY, COLLEGE ROAD, METHWOLD, KINGs LYNN AND WEST NORFOLK. Sugar beet in the polar beet silo at Wissington Sugar Factory, showing the conveyor bridge, shuttle convey and water jet system.
A sugar factory was first built at Wissington in 1925. Work began on the construction of a new refinery, five silos, and an extension to the existing factory in March 1968 for the British Sugar Corporation. The project also involved the realignment of railway sidings and was spread over three and a half years. Work was programmed to align with the sugar beet campaign: between September and February each year the focus of construction work shifted from the factory to the silos and other outer works, allowing the factory to open for the unloading and processing of sugar beet. At the time of its construction, the polar beet silo at Wissington was the only one of its kind in England. Beet was unloaded from lorries and entered the silo via the conveyor bridge, and was then distributed by the shuttle conveyor. The base of the silo formed concentric valleys with flumes leading to catchment troughs which carried beet to the factory
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24135958
© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection
1960s Factory Processing Refining Sugar
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the intricate process of sugar beet processing at Wissington Sugar Factory in King's Lynn and West Norfolk. The image showcases the impressive polar beet silo, standing tall against the backdrop of a bustling industrial setting. The conveyor bridge gracefully extends over the silo, guiding the sugar beets towards their destination. The construction of this state-of-the-art facility began in 1968 as part of an ambitious project by the British Sugar Corporation. Over three and a half years, a new refinery, five silos, and an extension to the existing factory were meticulously built. This expansion also involved realigning railway sidings to streamline operations. What makes Wissington Sugar Factory unique is its pioneering use of technology. At that time, it boasted England's only polar beet silo – a testament to innovation in sugar production. Lorries would unload their precious cargo onto the conveyor bridge before being distributed throughout the factory via a shuttle conveyor system. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of this photograph: from concentric valleys formed at the base of the silo to flumes leading into catchment troughs that transport beets for further processing. A true marvel of engineering and ingenuity, this print serves as a reminder of how human innovation continues to shape our world today.
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