At its height the small town of Theale in Berkshire supported some sixteen pewter factories.  As the industry declined the factories closed.

Bennett’s Pewter Works were situated next to the Reading to Taunton railway line and covered an area of some five acres. The factory was closed in 1956 and its site is now covered by a cement works.

The only reminder of the pewter works is a derelict cottage next to a large field. This once acted as the main office of the company and when the author paid a visit to the building in the August of 2012 he found the following poem written in pencil in the downstairs lavatory.

welcometotheale

iwalkamongthedyingvines

andgazewithenvyat

therichroundrootrats

astheymaketheirway

towardsmysplendidchurch