Stewartby Brickworks

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Rubex

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Stewartby brickworks was home to the world's biggest kiln and produced 18 million bricks at the height of production.
Originally called “Wootton Pillinage”, the brickworks were renamed Stewartby in 1937 in recognition of the Stewart family who had been instrumental in developing the brickworks.
The firm became London Brick Company and Forders Limited in 1926, and shortened to London Brick Company in 1936.
At its peak, London Brick Company had its own ambulance and fire crews, a horticultural department and a photographic department, as well as its own swimming pool inside the factory, and ran a number of sports clubs.
More than £1 million was spent on Stewartby Brickworks in 2005-7 in an attempt to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions, however the emissions were unable to be reduced enough to fall into accordance with UK guidelines. As a result, the brickworks had to close, which lead to 217 people losing their jobs.

I visited here with jsp77 a few months back on a very wet day. Despite the rain it was a very enjoyable mooch.


Thanks for looking,

Rubex
 
Cracking report Rubex, you have taken some nice shots. Shame about the weather but was a nice mooch all the same :D
 
Just adore brick chimneys!

Looks like a fascinating explore despite the rain:)

Love all the photos left behind, some great historic shots you took photos off.
 
Nice set of images you have here Rubex. My Uncle-in-Law went to work for the London Brick Co. after he was demobbed at war's end and ended up as Regional sales manager, before setting his own company (Leslie Mann Bricks) selling old pattern hand made bricks for restoration / new builds in conservation areas etc. The improved efficiency of the kilns and a slowdown in new builds meant there was a glut of modern bricks and it was in the hand made, old style brick where money could be made. Photo 20 is interesting - it shows cards of sample brick faces, illustrating the colours and textures of the ranges of bricks produced by the company. These were very sort after in the early DIY days; the samples were full sized in length and height but only around 1/2" thick, so they were a quick and easy way of converting existing tiled fireplaces into the 'fashionable' brick built item of the day.
 
Ah I nearly visited this one earlier last year. Was stood just inside the grounds and it started hammering down with rain and haven't returned! Great report, thanks
 

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