1981
Ridgmont and Arlesey Works to close in worst recession for 50 years
“On 19th February – during the first of a series of meetings with
employees’ representatives – the Directors announced that Ridgmont and
Arlesey Works were to close with a loss of some 1,140 jobs”.
Arlesey Works opens for business again
The announcement came as a bitter blow after the continuing economic
recession which has affected the Company when housebuilding falls to its
lowest level in 50 years. The company closed its doors on 29th May 1981.
1983
Local MP Nicholas Lyell “cuts the tape” to launch production and distribution of our new Gault
Clay Arlesey range
Arlesey Works opened once again on 6th September as James Bristow from LBC and local
MP Mr Lyell took part in the opening ceremony. Local dignitaries and ex-employees attended
the ceremony as the site embarks on a new chapter in its history.
Text and Cover image from London Brick Review Vol. 13, No. 5, September/October 1983
Jim Bowskill
worked at the brickworks after it reopened in the 1980s
Here he tells a story from his time working at the site.
I worked at the
brickworks when
it reopened in the
80s. My first job was
drawing the bricks
out of the kilns (they
were coal fired in
those days) and it
was a very hard
and sweaty job. The
heat was sometimes
unbearable but
we went in as we
were on piecework
(bonus). The fumes
Geoff Page
This photo was kindly given to me by
from the sulphur
other
only
the
m,
of my father leaning on his broo
was also choking
ey.
Foss
rt
Hube
is
photo
the
in
know
I
person
sometimes. John
Harrowell and I were asked
to get some of our special handmade bricks out of the kiln as they were
needed for a very important project at the ideal home exhibition, the
chamber was glowing red at the rear and Maurice our foreman made us
mittens out of old lorry inner tubes to pick them up as they were so hot.
We could only put a few bricks on the trolley then we ran out and stood
in a tub of water that again Maurice had provided to cool our feet down.
Our reward was to both of us deliver them to the exhibition, and a fish and
chip supper.
Later I was sent to another brickyard in Dorking to learn the art of
throwing hand made bricks, I think it was for about a month. We had a
super canteen with great cooks, as I started work just before 6 am at about
8 am I would go to the canteen with two empty milk bottles and get them
filled up with coffee and 8 rounds of toast for us in the handmade specials
department. Then at ten we would all go down and have full English.
As I worked hands on in clay, so to speak, and being a bit ‘arty farty’ I
made a full size head out of clay. After it had been dried, I set it among my
special handmade bricks onto a kiln car, that would slowly go through the
then newish tunnel kiln. From memory this would take four to five days.
As I arrived on Monday morning I was asked to go to the office to see
the manager, Steve Priestly, and the assistant manager Peter Norton.
The first thing the manager said to me was “Jim does this belong to you”
and on his desk was the realistic head I had made now fully baked and
the colour of Arlesey white bricks. I said yes it was made by me – as a
bit of fun. “FUN?” the manager shouted at me “do you realize the trouble
that head has caused?” “Well I will tell you, in the early hours of Sunday
morning the burner (a man from Hitchin called Bob I think) was on duty
doing his rounds on his own (it was a very lonely job in a vast site) and he
peered through one of the spy holes in the kiln to check that all was well.
When he saw this glowing red head staring at him. You can imagine the
shock it gave him and he became unwell and rang in sick. Peter had to
come in early to take over from him, what have you to say?” Well i said i
was sorry of course and got off with a don’t ever do it again. So I left with
my head.
I kept the head at home for a while but Sam and the kids did not like
it very much. So as I was helping a friend, Mick Wilkie, to do up an old
manor house, we had lifted some floorboards and there was a big space
below with about a foot of dust debris etc, so we buried my head there. I
never saw it again.
Great days and lots more stories . . .
Next month: Down they came
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.
on the button, 32 Stotfold Road, Arlesey. Bedfordshire. SG15 6XT www.onthebuttonarlesey.co.uk
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