Moulding a brick ready for firing and seeing how traditional chimney pots and ornamental garden furniture are made, were just some of the highlights of a recent visit to York hand made Brick Company Ltd.
Members of Lincolnshire Local Association were joined by members of RICS Yorkshire Local Association on an enjoyable tour of the innovative company based in York.
The weather was excellent as members were taken on a comprehensive tour of the brick works, which was originally started in 1988. Since then the company has grown rapidly and offers customers specialist brick and paving products, together with a variety of other items including traditional chimney pots and ornamental garden furniture, all handmade and produced on site.
Trip attendees were able to see firsthand all stages of the production process from the extraction of the clay, from land adjacent to the brick works, through to the preparation stages and moulding and firing of the bricks in ingenious mobile kilns.
Of particular interest were the specialist hand made bricks, many of which are moulded to the individual requirements of the customers i.e. size and shape. A number of members were invited to mould a brick for firing, thus enjoying a tactile introduction to the brick making industry.
Members were also told about some of the uses of their products and famous buildings which have been conserved and restored with the help of their products. These include Jesus College in Cambridge, Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire - it is certainly arguable that the new bricks in these buildings can barely be differentiated from the originals.
Edward Wreglesworth FRICS, partner at Escritt Barrell Golding, who took part in the visit, said: “This has certainly proved to be an excellent small caring company who are prepared to put themselves out to supply materials to suit the special needs of developers and conservators.
“The tour was thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended and the company laid on an excellent buffet afterwards, which made the journey home far less painless.”
Visits to the Showroom and Sales Office are encouraged by York Handmade. To contact the company please telephone 01347 838881.
