 Best Environmental Web site 2006
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From Bricks to Nature
Piecing together the evidence
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In the 19th century Warwickshire had over 80 brick and tile manufacturers, many in the Nuneaton and Bedworth area. A large number of these were associated with coal mines. The clay was removed as mine shafts were sunk and used to manufacture bricks for the colliery buildings.
Often, brick making proved more lucrative than coal mining and the brick yards continued after the coal mines closed.
Most brick and tile making in this area ceased in the late 1960's. This was due to a number of reasons including:-
A diminished supply of high quality clay
Manufacturers unable to compete with more modern yards elsewhere in the midlands, such as South Staffordshire and Leicestershire
The 1968 Clean Air Acts, which restricted emissions of smoke
The third factor was important for Haunchwood Brick and Tile Works as smoke was needed in the process of creating blue bricks, which was one of their main products
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The Haunchwood Brick and Tile Works Company was established by James Knox in the 1860's. It is said that he noticed bands of high quality purple blue clay from the window of a train as he passed through the new railway cutting at Stockingford. He took over a number of existing brickyards and his company became one of the main producers in England.
Whittleford Park is the site of Haunchwood Brick and Tile Works No 1 Yard. Here the company produced Blue Bricks, rustics brickettes, floor tiles and chimney pots. No 1 Yard closed in October 1970 and was demolished in 1971
If we look at the Ordnance Survey Maps we can see how the yard expanded and where new clay holes were dug to ensure a continuous supply of good quality clay. The map to the left is from 1888, the middle 1914 and the map to the right shows how the brickworks looked in 1924.
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Click the images above to view larger maps
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Clay Hole No 1 - Clay Pool which still lies behind Woodford Close and the only clay home that has not been used for landfill. Now home to a variety of wildlife
Clay Hole No 2 - Land behind Stockingford Community Centre known as Vale View Open Space
Clay Hole No 3 - Now a wildlife area known as Hawthorne Common
Clay Hole No 4 - Land behind and adjacent to the Bucksford Public House (no longer standing due to fire)
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