Chance Heritage Trust

Chance Heritage Trust Chance Heritage Trust want to regenerate Chance Glassworks, established in 1824. We want to create a vibrant environment for business and the local community.

A place where people can work live and play CHANCE HERITAGE TRUST

About us: our aims and objectives, key personnel, Privacy Statement and Policy

Chance Heritage Trust was formed in March 2015 with the aim of restoring the buildings that are still extant on the Spon Lane site and enriching their status in being of great historical and cultural significance. The Objects of the Trust are to pr

omote and procure for the public benefit:

•the conservation, protection and enhancement of the buildings and other assets of cultural and heritage value within a defined area;
•the advancement of education concerning the social, economic and architectural history and heritage of the buildings and the area;
•the physical and economic regeneration of the buildings and the area together with the associated development of new skills and employment opportunities. The Trust intends to fulfil its regeneration objects by:
•Letting space within the buildings, when restored, on favourable terms to businesses in order to create business training and re-training opportunities for budding entrepreneurs and particularly unemployed people in the locale;
•Providing and maintaining recreational facilities and public amenities in the restored buildings at low or nominal rents or hire fees, including serviced space where community groups may meet and carry on a variety of activities;
•Provision within the restored buildings for education, training and re-training opportunities and work experience, especially for the area’s unemployed;
•Providing and maintaining – and, where necessary, improving – recreational facilities in and around the restored buildings for the wider public to enjoy;
•Preserving the buildings, which are of historic and architectural importance. Who are CHT? A small collective of enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds who share the common interest of working alongside the current site owners and in forging partnerships with external agencies to redevelop the site as a multi-function facility. CHT is altruistic and apolitical, with the sole function of rejuvenating this magnificent asset in the heart of the West Midlands conurbation for the benefit of all. CHaT Magazine

The official ad hoc email bulletin of CHT. Available free of charge and without obligation from [email protected]

A fascinating morning of Black Country history is coming to Smethwick 📚We’re delighted to be working in collaboration wi...
04/09/2026

A fascinating morning of Black Country history is coming to Smethwick 📚
We’re delighted to be working in collaboration with Sandwell Libraries Service to support a special talk by Carl Chinn MBE, renowned historian, author and radio presenter.
Carl will bring Chance Brothers and their remarkable industrial history to life, sharing an important part of Smethwick and the Black Country’s heritage.
Thanks to the support of National Lottery Players, we are able to support this event, which we hope will also raise awareness of our work and the regeneration of the Chance Glassworks and other important heritage sites in Sandwell.
📅 Friday 18 September 2026
⏰ 11am–1pm
📍 Thimblemill Library, Smethwick
🎟️ Free event

The event is also supported by Sandwell Council.

👉 Booking via TicketSource.

Local heritage. Real stories. A shared future. 💙Smethwick’s heritage is made up of more than buildings — it’s also the p...
02/09/2026

Local heritage. Real stories. A shared future. 💙

Smethwick’s heritage is made up of more than buildings — it’s also the people, memories and stories connected to them.

At Chance Heritage Trust, we want to keep those stories visible and help make heritage part of the area’s future.

Keeping Smethwick’s heritage visible for future generations.

Restoring the walls is only the beginning… 👀Bringing a historic building back into use is about much more than the physi...
30/08/2026

Restoring the walls is only the beginning… 👀

Bringing a historic building back into use is about much more than the physical restoration.

For Chance Heritage Trust, it also means:
🔹 understanding what makes the building special
🔹 giving it a purpose people can actually use
🔹 listening to and involving the community
🔹 creating a future that can last

The Old School House has a rich past — but we’re just as interested in what its future could look like.

Heritage needs a future — not just a past. 💙

What do you think is most important when bringing a historic building back into community use? Tell us below 👇

👉 Follow the journey: chanceht.org

26/08/2026

Thanks to National Lottery players we are funding two roles.

Are you the person who keeps everything running smoothly? 👀
The organised one. The problem-solver. The person who keeps things moving.

Chance Heritage Trust is looking for a Business & Operations Manager to support our work across heritage, community and regeneration.

📍 Smethwick / Sandwell
⏰ 24 hours per week
🏠 Some home working
💷 £20,756 actual salary (£32,000 FTE)
📅 Applications close 4 September

Could this be your next role — or do you know someone who would be perfect for it?
👉 Full details and how to apply:
https://chanceht.org/business-operations-manager-vacancy/⁠�

Please share to help us reach the right person. 💙

It will be fascinating to hear Carl Chinn’s talk about Chance Brothers amazing industrial history. The 18th September is...
21/08/2026

It will be fascinating to hear Carl Chinn’s talk about Chance Brothers amazing industrial history. The 18th September is date for the diary!

📚✨ Join Carl Chinn MBE at Thimblemill Library! ✨📚

Step back in time with one of the Midlands' best-loved historians as he explores the story of the Black Country, including Smethwick's famous Chance Brothers glassworks.

📅 Friday 18 September 2026
🕚 11am to 1pm
📍 Thimblemill Library
🎟️ FREE - booking required

Don't miss this fascinating journey into our local history!
Book your free place: https://www.ticketsource.com/sandwell-libraries-and-archives/made-in-the-black-country-a-morning-with-carl-chinn-mbe/2026-09-18/11:00/t-aaylakq



Supported by Chance Heritage Trust

📣 Spaces are limited, so don't miss out!

What would you like to see at the Old School House? 💭We want the next chapter of this building to be shaped with the com...
19/08/2026

What would you like to see at the Old School House? 💭

We want the next chapter of this building to be shaped with the community.
A place to visit, connect, learn, create and develop ideas — but we’d love to hear what you would like to see here.

What would make you want to come through these doors?🤔

Tell us in the comments 👇

📣 We’re hiring: Business & Operations ManagerThanks to the support of National Lottery players, we are funding two new r...
13/08/2026

📣 We’re hiring: Business & Operations Manager

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, we are funding two new roles.

Chance Heritage Trust is looking for an organised and practical Business & Operations Manager to support the day-to-day running of the Trust and help bring the Old School House into use for community benefit.

📍 Smethwick / Sandwell + some home working
⏰ 24 hours per week
💷 £20,756 pro rata (£32,000 FTE)
📄 18-month contract
📅 Applications close 4 September 2026

👉 View the full job description and apply here:
https://chanceht.org/business-operations-manager-vacancy/

Know someone who might be a great fit? Please share this opportunity with them.

📢 We’re hiring: Community Engagement ManagerThanks to the support of National Lottery players, we are funding two new ro...
11/08/2026

📢 We’re hiring: Community Engagement Manager

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, we are funding two new roles.

Could you help connect communities with heritage and create new opportunities inspired by the remarkable story of Chance Glassworks?

Chance Heritage Trust is looking for a Community Engagement Manager to lead our community engagement work, build relationships with communities and partners, develop cultural activities and events, and support heritage storytelling and communications.

📍 Location: Smethwick/Sandwell + some home working
⏰ Hours: 24 hours per week
💷 Salary: £23,351 pro rata
📄 Contract: 18 months
📅 Applications close: 4 September 2026

Find the full job description and application form here:
https://chanceht.org/community-engagement-manager-vacancy/

Know someone who could be a great fit? Please share this opportunity with them.

We have two new roles to fill, which will take Chance Heritage Trust into the next exciting phase of its development! De...
06/08/2026

We have two new roles to fill, which will take Chance Heritage Trust into the next exciting phase of its development!

Details are on our website https://chanceht.org/

We are really looking forward to the Black Country Touring’s production of Cape Custard, inspired by one of Chance Broth...
27/07/2026

We are really looking forward to the Black Country Touring’s production of Cape Custard, inspired by one of Chance Brothers amazing lighthouse engineers and his travels around the world.

The glass pioneers who helped illuminate the globe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrvwrp41deo

You can book tickets here
https://www.bctouring.org.uk/cape-custard

The legacy of Chance Glassworks in Smethwick is being celebrated with a new play and other projects.

Address

The Old School, Sandwell Business Park, Crystal Drive
Smethwick
B661RD

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