Comments on: Willington Power Station – Derbyshire

By: Elizabeth Housham

Elizabeth Housham — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 18:03:11 +0000

Hi, I have just seen this site, thought It may interest someone to know, that my Stepfather James Gilmour originally from Glasgow, was one of the steeplejacks on the chimneys at Willington.
If my memory serves me right, we moved down to Willingham in 1962. We used to live on a caravan site, across the road from the entrance. We could watch my stepfather daily waving to us from the top of the chimney.
I went to Willington primary school and I can remember a lovely lady who was a dinner lady there, she lived in Findern Rd or Lane ( can’t remember which )
We had a great time there and as the chineys were finished, we moved on to other power stations ending up in Gainsborough. The power station nearest to us is West Burton. I can now see that from my bedroom window.

My stepfather also worked at High Marnham and Drakelow.
Just thought I would share this as it’s all part of my history. I am a 59 year old mum and granny now but these sites ae of interest to my grandkids.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:46:43 +0000

Just head east on the A50, coming off at Willington. You’ll see the towers clear as day then.

By: mick Pugh

mick Pugh — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 16:00:18 +0000

Hi all i live in Stoke-on-Trent and i can see 5 chimneys on the horizon as i look east i wondered if willington power station was them. I would love to have a drive out there and take some pictures and how to get there.

By: Fran Kemmish

Fran Kemmish — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:26:12 +0000

My father took me to see the area around Willington Power Station in 1969, on the way back from a trip to Birmingham. We stopped there because he used to work on the farm that preceded the power station. That would have been in the early 1930s. I think he only worked there for a couple of years, before trying his luck elsewhere in the country, and eventually joining the army.

By: Jan Stepien

Jan Stepien — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 22:13:42 +0000

I used to work at Willington as secretary from 1982 for John Reid and then moved to Rugeley, Ironbridge, Swindon, Ipswich and Drakelow. It was lovely coming across this web site, especially as I have just tonight passed the “gentle giants” (cooling towers) for a meal at the Crewe & Harper. But I was terribly upset to read that John Vine had passed away. He was a great chap. Condolences and Best Wishes to his family. Jan x

By: Glen Thomas

Glen Thomas — Wed, 12 May 2010 17:36:28 +0000

Does anyone know how I can get permission to take photos using the powerstation as a backdrop? Why is there a restriction on the types of photos that one can take.?
Many thanks.

By: heather

heather — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:05:50 +0000

hi, my dad john vine worked at willington as a rigger for years after leaving spondon station. the hard work took its toll and he died recently. asbestos!
he did enjoy his time there though and met some great people.

By: julie bolton

julie bolton — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:11:30 +0000

I am concerned about the area surrounding the power station at Willington. There are Peregrin Falcons nesting in the towers, buzzards and hare and other wildlife live in the fields around them. If the towers are demolished, and another power station built, these delicate species will be wiped out from the area…..

By: julie bolton

julie bolton — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:30:38 +0000

My dad, John Bolton, was involved in the design of Willington power Station. I always think of him when I see the towers. I lived in Heath Lane, Findern, which is very near the site.My Dad worked at NEI international Combustion from 1940′s to 1980′s- does anyone remember him visiting Willington Power Station?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:22:57 +0000

I’ve been wanting to enter this site for a good few months for a film project. Does anyone know who owns them or what security firm owns them. Tempting urbex exploration but with a stupidly big camera not always the best way. Loving the pictures

Cheers Patrick