nazeing glass and its origins

fig 1. A group of Nazeing art glass pieces representing the work of the 1930's

An exhibition of Nazeing Glass was held at Lowewood Museum, High St, Hoddesdon from July to September 2003, at which a variety of decorative coloured glass pieces was on show such as vases, bowls and drinking vessels.

The exhibition displayed the extent of Nazeing Glass production, from its origins in the 1890's as producers of fine decorative glass through to the specialist industrial pieces that they now produce. For example a glass optical device made by Nazeing Glass which is fitted in Challenger Tanks was on show.

fig 2. Lowewood Museum, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire where "Nazeing Glass and its Origins" was held

The occasion was used to celebrate the 75 years that glass has been made at the ‘Goats Shed’ site on the Broxbourne/ Nazeing border. In 1928 the company now known as Nazeing Glass moved from Southwark, London to the `Goats Shed' site. The company logo still incorporates a pair of goats, referring back to its origins, although the original structure has long since vanished.

In 1942 ownership of Nazeing Glass passed from the Kempton family into the hands of the current owners, the Pollock-Hill family, when Malcolm Pollock-Hill, a former shareholder, purchased the company. Nazeing Glass is now the last family owned commercial glass company in England.