NHER 40360 (Building record) - Former timber yard at Crane's Corner

Crane's works.
Stated locally to have begun as a cannon foundry, it later became a lorry factory for Crane's who later became Crane Fruehof (a noted manufacturer of trailers). Massive building supported on huge upright girders at southeast end, and on great upright timbers bound in iron at northwest end. Two overhead cranes remain. Belfast roof. Other buildings attached to make cruciform shape seem later.
Farmworkers state that there was a row of kilns to northwest and one against the road to the east. A derelict traction engine sleeps in a corner.
Preliminary record only, detailed recording proposed before demolition or collapse, whichever comes first.
E. Rose (NLA), 16 April 2004.

2004. Building Survey.
Full drawn, written and photographic survey.
Includes finding that the timber posts are jowled posts reused from a barn.
See report (S1) for further details.
E. Rose (NLA), 9 November 2004.

(S1) notes that Crane's began as a blacksmith's shop on this site, and by 1900 has developed in a blacksmith's and timber merchants. In 1913 this site became a timber yard, and the rest of the business moved to East Dereham.
(S1) states that a single timber post in the building 'has the appearance of a principal post from a timber framed barn'.
S. Spooner (NLA) 21 December 2005