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The time taken to develop a work of this size is enormous. Conservatively, it has probably taken over 18 years (and counting) to write these ten volumes – work still in progress – through which there has been plenty of blood, sweat and tears shed.

Throughout the development of Chance Reflections I have never received a single penny in support; the research and development has been entirely self-financed, including purchasing the many items needed to help illustrate the books. I dread to think what the actual amount is ...!

If you wish to donate, please click the button below. The amount you donate is left entirely to your discretion. Every donation, be it large or small, helps to offset the costs involved.

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Your support is most welcome and I thank you most sincerely.

With thanks to:

Members of the Chance family and former members of staff, who without their assistance, this book would not have been possible

Support from a variety of people was extremely helpful and really cannot be expressed properly in this following list. Many apologies if I've missed anyone, just drop me a line if you feel you should be included.

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  Anne Bennett, for providing samples of early rolled-plate textures
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  The former Broadfield House Glass Museum, in particular Roger Dodsworth, Karie Moodie and the late John Smith, for providing access to its archives and the glass archive at Himley Hall
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  Professor Michael Cable, for advice on Georges Bontemps
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  Cadbury Research Library for access to the Chance family personal papers
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  Chance Heritage Trust for access to its archives
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  Professor Carl Chinn, MBE, for his expertise and help with local knowledge
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  Patricia Coccoris, my soul-mate and partner, who sees things when I am blind
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  Mark Davies, Chairman of the Chance Heritage Trust
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  Richard Dean of Cartographics 
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  Dr Malcolm Dick, OBE, for agreeing to peer-review this book, and his expertise and help with local knowledge
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  Peter Farley and members of his family who clocked up about 300 years’ service in total.
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  Denis Hebden, for providing invaluable advice and assistance regarding image editing and photography.
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  Roger Lea, for information on Stone-Chance Ltd
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  Paul Lines, for kindly supplying digital images of early maps.
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  Madoc Books for kindly supplying photos from the 1862 book of stained-glass cartoons by Chance Brothers
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  Nita Newman for the Works plan, denoting the various buildings
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  Doris Parsonage (wife of Denis) and daughter, Wendy Smith, for access to their Orlak collection.
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  Brian Quirk, Chief Engineer at the Rolled Plate division at Pilkington, for spending invaluable time giving an excellent guided tour of the Pilkington rolled-plate plant
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  John Raymond, for information and images concerning his father, former MD at Chance Brothers until 1954, John Raymond Snr
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  Tim Richards, a relative of the family that owned W.E. Chance & Co. Ltd and who, coincidentally, lives at Stanton Wick, the site of Nailsea’s first glasshouse
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  Sandwell Archives, including Sarah Chubb (former senior archivist at Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Library), Ian Grey (former senior archivist) and members of staff, for providing access to the Chance archives, which had almost reached legendary status. Also, to Laura Brett for her invaluable and comprehensive work in archiving much of the material
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  Smethwick Heritage Centre Trust, including the late David Bryant, MBE, Chris Sutton and Peter Allen
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  Chris Stewart (author of Davidson Glass, a history) for kindly supplying scans from a Chance lighting catalogue, and supplying pertinent advice on Davidson Holophane products
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  Stuart Summers, whose knowledge on Chance domestic glassware sometimes exceeds my own and his knowledge of chemistry certainly helped clarify many matters
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  University of Birmingham

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  The late Sir Jeremy Chance, Bt., for his support. 
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  My thanks are also extended to other members of the Chance family who aided my work on Chance Reflections, in particular, Sir Sebastian, Bt., Tom, Giles, Toby, Henry Chance and Mary Iles.
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  The late Prof Michael Cable, for his invaluable insight into Georges Bontemps
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  Tony Cartwright, former General Manager, Fiesta Department, later Director of Fiesta Glass Ltd
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  Ray Drury, the last Chief Engineer at Chance Brothers
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  Bill Nicholls
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  The late Alan Taylor, formerly of the drawing office