Right: A postcard from 1936 showing
workers at the site in Arlesey. Supplied by
John Page
Below: Chimneys at the Arlesey site in
1938. Construction Image supplied by
Andrew Mortlock
Below left: Two images of construction at
the Arlesey site in 1938. Images supplied by
Andrew Mortlock
lath and plaster finishing that still there today.
In 1930 LBC introduced ‘holiday pay’ as they believed in looking after
their workers. Other facilities brought in by the company were a bowling
green and a Social Club with Billiard and Snooker tables. The company also
provided houses for the manager and foremen.
A few buildings around Arlesey were named with a brick making theme
attached. The Bricklayers Arms is now a private house but was a public
house on the corner of Station Road and Hospital Road. The Brickground
Hotel was the name of the pub at the end of Station Road (later to become
the Mallard and is now Acre Wood children’s nursery.
Major building work at Arlesey brickworks site took place in the years after
the first world war, and the photos here show teams of men constructing
new works. There are various images too of workers at the site. By 1936
there was a large workforce producing bricks
The second world war interrupted many everyday activities but
brickmaking was different we needed bricks to rebuild bombed areas or
construct new buildings. Arlesey too played its part in one of the most
extensive operations in wartime – the D-Day landings. Mr William Jackson
told us of his posting to Normandy on the Mulberry Harbours in issue 10 of
on the button. Some of the hollow blocks used in the floating harbours were
made at the brickworks during the war.
Aircraft crashes
into chimney
On Sunday 19th December 1943 a Halifax BB364 (Mk II) of 138 Sqadron
from Tempsford, crashes into a chimney at the brickworks in Arlesey. The
plane was on a training exercise and failed to clear the stacks. None of
the 13 crew survived.
During the war there were no lights on the chimneys. The aircraft was
practicing dropping supplies at low level in Henlow. It was completely
engulfed by fire which set off ammunition on board.
Jim Bowskill shows strongman Geoff Capes how to throw a brick.
Image supplied by Jim Bowskill.
Next month: Stories from the Brickworks
If you have some stories or images you would like to share of the
brick works here in Arlesey, please contact us – see details below.
Some of the text here is taken from ‘Arlesey – The Pits’ by Geoff Page (bibliography: Kellys Directory 1898 edition, Bricks to Build a House by John Woodforde, and
Bedfordshire County Planning Department. With references from the British Brick Society. Information Sheet 115, February 2011. I would like to thank Andrew Mortlock
for supplied editorial, who has created a huge library of information and images about the London Brick Company.
on the button, 32 Stotfold Road, Arlesey. Bedfordshire. SG15 6XT www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
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