The end of a local landmark
Stewartby Brickworks
One week after the Dorman Long tower was demolished, another symbol of our industrial past is being knocked down to make way for houses and a business park. This time, it’s the remaining four chimneys on the site of the brickworks in Stewartby, Bedfordshire.
At their peak, the brickworks had the highest output in the world, making 500 Million bricks a year. It was instrumental in Britain being rebuilt after WWII as it helped supply the bricks needed to rebuild after the cities were bombed. It was also a major employer with 2,000 employees, and through an agreement with the Italian government after the second world war, many Italians settled in the area to work there. Today, Bedford is home to the descendants of those workers and they continue to shape the local culture.
The brickworks had to close in 2008 because they were unable to achieve the environmental targets for sulphur dioxide emissions. The four remaining chimneys were given a Grade 2 Listed building protection so that they could be preserved as a reminder of the area’s industrial past.
Since moving to the area in 2012, the chimneys have unsurprisingly featured in a number of my photos, whether playing a supporting role or as the main actor.
The day before they were due to be demolished, I decided to spend some time making some final images. Walking around the perimeter I was able to capture some final glimpses of the chimneys. The site isn’t accessible (legally, anyway)
There is some controversy over whether they could have been saved. Historic England believes they didn’t need to be completely demolished, but the owners say they were a risk to public safety… the cynic in me can’t help but feel that this was done to make way for the development, and the owners will make more money out of demolishing them than trying to make them safe.
Although £1.6M of heritage money has been made available to create a replica chimney on the site (no commitment as to when), the damage to the local history is already done.
The final chimney topples
Featuring 36 colour images from three areas of local heathland through the seasons, Heathland | Rejuvenation covers my exploration of three heathlands in Bedfordshire over the last 6 years.