They'll Still Be Bowling To The Gasworks End.

[sandyRoe]

Will traditionalists be happy to hear that the gasometers near The Oval cricket grounds are to be granted listed status?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35709747

[EDDIE51]

Stuey, Gas holders worked by the weight of the 'lid' pressing down on the gas inside and pushing it out into the supply pipes. All done by gravity no pumps.

[stuey]

Thanks, EDDIE51. So the weight of the falling cylinder actually fed the gas through the lines all over town.

[New Judge]

Correct.

There are four main types of gasholders: column guided; telescopic, spiral guided and piston. All sit in water (to form a seal at the bottom of the gasholder). All are now gradually being dismantled in the UK. The country’s gas network now depends on natural gas being piped directly into the local networks. Many – including those at The Oval and those behind St Pancras International station – have been listed and will remain in place, but redundant.

[Togo]

The upper piston type cylinder was mounted on a cylindrical rail rather like the handrail on a circular staircase and turned slowly as it fell with the gas content. Water was I believe pumped in under pressure to fill the interior circular float tank and raise the top section of the gas storage tank which floated on the water. The tanks were filled with gas and fell harnessing barometric pressure to regulate pressure in the local supply.

[stuey]

Thanks, New Judge and Togo: quite interesting. Here's an aerial view of the gas works I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread. http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw042747

[Togo]

The Boat and Horses pub just opposite stuey

http://www.boatandhorses.co.uk/

[Peter Pedant]

oG - gasometer

gas meter was the things you stuffed the shilling into

[Peter Pedant]

also stoo the sides of the gasometer didnt go fifty feet into the ground when they emptied they sort of crinkled up - with a gas seal.

funny as the answers unrolled I was thiniing to myself - we used to have to know the design of these things for Physics O level in the sixties....

if your shilling in the slot machine clunked and was noisy you got more gas for your bob as there was friction in the apparatus and it under-read.....

[Togo]

My dad told me that was my money box pp.

[sandyRoe]

I remember when the meters took a penny.

[stuey]

This was a good thread, sandyRoe. It brought back some good memories for me; however, I have no idea what the bowling and cricket grounds connection is...Perhaps I don't want to know:) Togo, I saw that pub in my exploring the sites, but I don't remember it as a kid walking in that area.

[Togo]

//The Oval, is an international cricket ground at Kennington, in the London Borough of Lambeth, South London. The Oval has been the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club since it was opened in 1845. It is always referred to as "The Oval", and not "the Oval". It was the first ground in England to host international Test cricket in September 1880. The final Test match of the English season is traditionally played there.//
Can,t have you not knowing about The Oval stuey, as an English boy originally. The gas works end is called for obvious reasons. Although the gasometers are not so visible these days after ground developments

http://i68.tinypic.com/9fntdy.jpg

[DTCwordfan]

connection between gas and cricket. When they built the Oval facility, there was a boom in the attendance.

[EDDIE51]

To say about a man that he 'bowls from the gas holder end' is a way of suggesting he is homosexual.The connection being the well known 'Gay' social club whose club house was just beside the gas holders near The Oval.

[Togo]

We used to say 'batting for the wrong side' Eddie.

[DTCwordfan]

my goodness, leg before the stump?