Rubber Works

The Rubber Co. of Scotland took over the premises of the Forthvale Woollen Mill sometime prior to July 1898. The Bridge of Allan Gazette had this to say in their edition of 9^th July that year: –

“In view of the decay of so many of our local industries it is cheering to find a new one starting. The rubber works at Forthvale Mills, Old Bridge will be set agoing next month, we believe, and 60 or 80 hands will be employed”

In the 1905 Valuation Roll the owner is listed as “The Rubber Company of Scotland Ltd” per Robert Bruthron Black Managing Director. “Grass Parks, Forthvale”, is simply listed in their ownership, while “House and Garden, Forthvale Cottage” is listed as being tenanted by the Manager, who at that time was one Walter Cotton.

The cottage, at one time, appears to have been understood at least by the Census as having the title “Forthside Cottage” because the 1911 Census has Walter Cotton (42), Engineer and Manager of India Rubber Manufacturers as being in residence. He has with him his wife, Mary (44), his son Percy (21) Apprentice Engineer and his daughter Clara (17) who is a Music Teacher. They are all registered as having been born in England.

In the 1921 Census The following people are registered as resident in Forthvale Cottage: –

Joseph Gorst – Head -39 – India Rubber Works Manager
Eva Gorst – Wife – 34 – HD – (Home Duties)
Marjorie Gorst – Daughter – 8 – Scholar
Nancy M Gorst – Daughter – 5 – Scholar
Agnes M. Shields – 23 – Housemaid – HD

It would appear from these records therefore that the cottage was reserved for the Manager of the Forthvale Works and his family.

The Rubber Works continued working until 1992/93 when it closed and almost immediately became the development site that would culminate in John Forty’s Court.

From the Facebook enquiry: –

Julian Clarkson says: –

“They were industrial rubber manufacturers. Making rubber sheeting, hoses and electrical resistant matting. I worked in every part of the factory at one time or another and finally left after creating a programme for costing after being sales manager for a while!”

Alastair Robertson says: –

“Rubber Works closed 92/93!”

When asked if he knew if they manufactured Hot Water Bottles he replied: –

Not when I was there. Did work for coal board, whisky industry, milk board, government electric board plus others even for councils rubber backed steel for snow gritters.