On the 9^th May, we launched the exhibition ‘Keeping the Lights On: A History of Rugeley Power Station’ at the Museum of Cannock Chase. The event was well attended with former power station employees, their friends and family and others who are interested in the local landmark. All came together to reminisce and view the outcome of a twelve-month long research project.

The research revealed several interesting things about the power station. The power station itself consisted of two stations, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Station. ‘A’ Station was built in 1956, opened in 1963 and was closed in 1995. ‘B’ Station opened in 1972 and closed in 2016, with the site being demolished between 2018 and 2021. The difference between the two stations was their megawatt output, which led to a difference in opinion and attitude between employees at each station. Because ‘B’ Station had a higher output, former employees have remarked this led to a feeling of being ‘better’ than the less modern and smaller ‘A’ Station.

An aerial image dated 1992 showing Rugeley ‘A’ and ‘B’ Stations side by side.

Also revealed by research, was the intricate detail and planning that went into landscaping the power station site. Landscape architect Brenda Colvin, was responsible for landscaping ‘B’ Station and her plans for flower beds by the administration block, painstakingly reveal the exact type and number of plants to be used. For example, six Potentilla known as “Abbotswood”, eight Helleborus Corsicus known as “holly-leaved hellebore” and ten Helianthemum Rhodanthe Carneum known as “rock rose”, would all feature in her planting schemes. She also detailed the planting of trees to screen buildings and so offset the station’s impact on the landscape, in a concept known as ‘shelter belt planting’.

The impact the station had on the wider community and the role it played in employee welfare was significant. The station boasted a huge sports and social facility, including an eighteen-hole golf course, fishing club, sailing club, model railway and social club for music nights and playing billiards. Rugeley Power Station had a strong educational programme, with around 5,000 schoolchildren visiting each year to learn about electricity generation and have a go at pond dipping.

Rugeley ‘A’ Station’s control room (image credit: the Landor Society)

An image of the interior of a cooling tower.

The place Rugeley Power Station inhabits in local consciousness should not be underestimated.

The service would like to thank the project’s participants and partners. The exhibition ‘Keeping the Lights On: A History of Rugeley Power Station’ is on now at the Museum of Cannock Chase until the 18 June 2023. For more information visit our exhibitions page here.

Alex Chong – Project Researcher, Rugeley Power Station Project