Cockey's of Frome

Advert from Modern Gasworks Practice 1921.

Lewis Cockey came to Frome about 1685 from Warminster and established a bell foundry. The family business diversified in the 18th century and in the early 19th century began casting for the Gas Industry. Edward Cockey (1781-1860) became a successful iron-founder and in 1816 founded the firm which by 1851 was employing 76 men and boys in the Palmer Street foundry as Edward Cockey & Sons Ltd. In 1886 this became a limited company and in 1893 the works moved to the Garston area of the town. The Frome Gas Company was founded by Cockey and the town had had gas street liqhting as early as 1831. They made ‘art nouveau’ gas light standards with a leaf pattern were made by Cockey. The firm was wound up voluntarily in April 1960 leaving a legacy of bollards, drain covers and lamp standards, many displaying the name.