Stewartby brickworks RIP

[cathymcc]

Hello

Stewartby brickworks is about to close 

Well, many of the chimneys have been demolished over the years and now there are only 2 or 3 still puffing away... I watch the smoke as I walk to Bedford.

There will be new houses built there over the old LBC site - but it is the end of an era?

You could say Bedfordshire was ''built on clay'' 

About 30 years ago I looked down from the roof into the furnace and it looked like hell's cauldron!

Bedfore LBC [London Brick Company] people were making clay by hand...if your people were from West Bedfordshire [18/19th C] - brick-making would have played a part in their life I would think?

cath

[bedfordshire boy]

Much to the relief of those living in Bedford where the prevailing SW winds blow the noxious fumes coming from those chimneys, causing respiratory problems.

Yes, it is the end of an era, to which many people will say "thank goodness, now we can breathe"

Not just West Beds - there were also brickfields at Arlesey and Stotfold

David

[johnP-bedford]

article on front of Bedfordshire Times (or equivalent) through my letterbox today  http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/bed-news/Stewartby-brickworks-to-close-in.3529876.jp
Hanson's headquarters & IT dept to stay put though 

[linmey]

Cant say I am heartbroken cos I hated that smell.

Linda.

[Alan7636]

After living within 3 miles of the works for the past 26 years I’m not sorry to see the end of brick making at Stewartby, although it is a blow to more than 200 workers. The smell will certainly not be missed except perhaps as an indicator of imminent rain.

I am however of the opinion that at least one of the chimneys should be preserved as a monument to the fact that Bedfordshire bricks built post war Britain.

Alan