German prisoners of war brought into the works by coach from the various camps in the neighbourhood .
After the war , with full employment in Bedfordshire people had no wish to return to the filth of the brick kilns , the long unsociable hours , and the strenuous shift work with little mechanisation to alleviate the laborious toil involved in production . The wages were no longer considered high . A small number of prisoners of war who had been working on farms remained or returned to Bedfordshire to work at the brick pits .
The brick companies built hostels for them and the other European volunteer workers who came from displaced persons camps throughout Europe , principally Poland and the Ukraine but also Naples in Italy .
The London Brick Company was taken over by Hansons who own Butterley Bricks . Arlesey Brickworks , by then known as Butterley Brickworks , resumed making Arlesey Whites in the early 1980s but eventually closed in 1992 .
Letchworth Settlement Wots On ?
Once again Letchworth Settlement is staging a series of diverse workshops and lectures in May that have been developed to attract both old friends and new faces through our doors .
Dovecotes and Rabbit Warrens with Anne Rowe Wednesday 7th June 10am – 12noon £ 9 The story of Dovecotes and Rabbit Warrens - and how luxury foods became urban and rural pests !
Pigeons and rabbits are familiar to all of us but the dovecotes and warrens they once inhabited , while very common in the past , have now all but disappeared . The perhaps surprising history of these features and their former abundance in the Hertfordshire landscape will be revealed in an illustrated presentation by landscape historian Anne Rowe .
From the Hands of Heroes : the story of the St Paul ’ s Cathedral First World War altar frontal with Stephen Barnard
Monday 19th June 2.00 – 3.30pm £ 7 Currently on display at St Paul ’ s Cathedral is a beautifully embroidered altar frontal that was created in the last months of the First World War by severely disabled servicemen as part of their rehabilitation . It was used for the first time on the High Altar at St Paul ’ s , in the presence of the King and Queen , during a weekend of national thanksgiving in July 1919 . Now painstakingly restored , it is on view to the public for the duration of the First World War centenary .
The story of how the St Paul ’ s altar frontal came to be made touches on many different aspects of First World War history , such as the development of occupational therapy , the role and operation of military hospitals and how handicrafts were central to fundraising . At its heart , however , is an inspiring story of how a group of wounded soldiers found solace and renewal with the aid of needle and thread .
In this illustrated talk based on a newly published study of the embroidery , Letchworth Settlement lecturer Stephen Barnard explains how and why the frontal was commissioned and its context in early 20th century arts and crafts . He also relates some of the individual histories behind the frontal , including that of a Hertfordshire soldier treated at Chailey Hospital in Sussex , where an innovative handicrafts-based therapy called ‘ educative convalescence ’ was pioneered .
Stephen Barnard is the author of ‘ From the Hands of Heroes : The St Paul ’ s Cathedral First World War Altar Frontal and Memorial Book ’, published November 2016 .
Come and join us on Saturday June 10th for our popular fundraising fair . We ’ ve lots of stalls including plants , books , gourmet gifts , accessories ( some vintage ), tombola and much more . There are games to play and refreshments will be served in our wonderful main building .
Doors open at 9.30am and admission is priced at £ 1 with children free .
Our 2017 / 18 brochure will also be launched at the Fair so come and get your copy hot off the press !
Later in June come and wander round five beautiful gardens in Letchworth in aid of The Settlement . Bring family and friends and enjoy tea and cake together in lovely surroundings .
The open gardens take place on Sunday June 18th and Wednesday June 21st with admission just £ 4 . Doors open from 1.30p-5pm .
Addresses : 20 and 22 Hitchin Road , 23 and 67 Baldock Road and 17 Sollershott West .
Tickets can be used on either date but only once .
Call the office on 01462 682828 to enrol on any of these – or alternatively you can enrol online for all workshops and lectures .
www . facebook . com / groups / onthebutton / | # infoonthebutton | on the button issue 58 June 2017
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