A 56-metre-high chimney has been demolished to make way for 200 new houses on an old cement works site in Barrington, Cambridgeshire
The structure had been out of use since 2008, when the works were mothballed by cement giant Cemex UK, causing the loss of 80 jobs.
Before it was abandoned, the site produced a million tonnes of cement a year for the construction sector.
Mr Drayton, who worked at the site for 45 years, told the BBC the chimney was a “landmark, part of the village and its history - but when I was managing it after we closed down, people still tried to climb it".
He added: "It has to be maintained to a high standard, so it has to go."
Local resident Kevin Stigwood, who won a competition to hit the demolition button, triggered the explosion.
Developer Redrow has been granted permission to build new homes on the site.
