Back Rugeley Power Station & Riverside Park
Logo Trent Valley
Working<br />at Rugeley Icon

Working
at Rugeley

David Coles (ex engineer at Rugeley Power Station) being interviewed by young people from Rugeley Vysions Youth Service. Credit: Jo Wheeler
Working<br />at Rugeley Icon

Working
at Rugeley

Rugeley Power Station was a major employer in the town, often seen as an employer for life, with people joining the industry out of school and going through an apprenticeship to learn the necessary skills.

However, it wasn’t just engineers and craftspeople employed, but a whole range of jobs including security, catering staff, cleaners, administration teams and gardeners.

Listen to a clip from David Coles:

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Alongside the employment offered to local residents, they also provided social and sporting amenities for use by employees, families and the wider community, helping to establish the community spirit in the town. Over the years several Gala days were put on at the Station as well as Open days. These allowed locals and the family of staff to enjoy themselves on site as well as get to see the Station close up and appreciate how it worked.

The power station complex boasted an 18-hole golf course, sports fields complete with changing rooms and facilities, a playground for children and a model railway. The Rugeley Power Station Society of Model Engineers was a self-established group that included power station staff and former members of a Cannock Chase club who built on site a 2,000 foot (610 metres) track, which officially opened in 1991 and is still operational today.

Burton Washlands Rugeley Power Station & Riverside Park Tucklesholme Nature Reserve Willington Wetlands

Our key partners

Trent Rivers Trust
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust
Support Staffordshire

With thanks to

Mark Knight, Louise Morris, David Coles and Nicola Lynes
Logo Trent Valley
Lottery Heritage Fund
  • Visitor Info