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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