Stewartby brickworks was home to the world’s biggest kiln and produced 18 million bricks at the height of production.
BJ Forder & Son opened the first brickworks in Wootton Pillinge in 1897. Wootton Pillinge was 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 the height of the industry’s production there were 167 brick chimneys in the Marston Vale. In the 1970s Bedfordshire produced 20% of England’s bricks.
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.
I stole that ^^^
Anyway, I grew up in a little town about 10 miles South of Stewartby and had seen this place many times during its operational days. Driving past on our usual Saturday night jaunt to the Sanctuary in Milton Keynes when I was a bit younger I might add, you could see the chimneys billowing smoke as we passed. Always busy with traffic and people and yet now not a soul. This was more of a wander for me than an explore, I was so busy remembering images in my head of those days that I didn't actually take many pics. Never mind, I got a few. Very leisurely, no one on site at all and I was on a proper high after doing the windtunnels earlier on I really didn't care for much LOL.
Anyway, pics!
That locally famous chimney
Oh how we all love a bit of palisade...but...I didnt lose a finger
The other way
Inside one of the warehouses
Probably the best pic I took allday haha, it's own train line
Inside the brickworks
The back side where the bricks were born
Perfect brick sized podlets
No idea what this was for but I couldn't help but imagine after reminiscing my Sanctuary days what an awesome place this would make for a rave, minus the pigeon shit!
More brick babies were born here
Oooooohhhh, a hook!
Some peely paint
Cheers for looking!
BJ Forder & Son opened the first brickworks in Wootton Pillinge in 1897. Wootton Pillinge was 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 the height of the industry’s production there were 167 brick chimneys in the Marston Vale. In the 1970s Bedfordshire produced 20% of England’s bricks.
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.
I stole that ^^^
Anyway, I grew up in a little town about 10 miles South of Stewartby and had seen this place many times during its operational days. Driving past on our usual Saturday night jaunt to the Sanctuary in Milton Keynes when I was a bit younger I might add, you could see the chimneys billowing smoke as we passed. Always busy with traffic and people and yet now not a soul. This was more of a wander for me than an explore, I was so busy remembering images in my head of those days that I didn't actually take many pics. Never mind, I got a few. Very leisurely, no one on site at all and I was on a proper high after doing the windtunnels earlier on I really didn't care for much LOL.
Anyway, pics!
That locally famous chimney
Oh how we all love a bit of palisade...but...I didnt lose a finger
The other way
Inside one of the warehouses
Probably the best pic I took allday haha, it's own train line
Inside the brickworks
The back side where the bricks were born
Perfect brick sized podlets
No idea what this was for but I couldn't help but imagine after reminiscing my Sanctuary days what an awesome place this would make for a rave, minus the pigeon shit!
More brick babies were born here
Oooooohhhh, a hook!
Some peely paint
Cheers for looking!
