SMR 620 / NS 933 735
The Avonbridge Brick Works near Candie in the parish of Muiravonside were established about 1952 by the Afton Brick Co Ltd. It lay in the north side of the Slamannan Railway in the grounds of the former Number 3 Pit of the Candie and Redford Colliery (later Hill Farm Mine No. 3), and seems to have used the clay from its bings. It featured a continuous 28-chambered Hoffmann kiln, which was fan-assisted. The tapering chimney measured 4m across at ground level and 23.5m high. Conveyors were used for transporting raw material around the site and the crusher used in the works was a Mitchell. The works made building bricks marked ‘Avonbridge’, ‘A B L’ or ‘Afton’. A stamp marked ‘AFTON BRICK’ was found at the site and is now held at Falkirk Museum.
Illus: 1955/56 Ordnance Survey Map (National Library of Scotland).
The Works were operated for a time by the Caledonian Peat Co Ltd, and latterly by the London & Northern Group. The works were closed on 9 September 1977. In the early years of the 21st century a project was designed to convert the Hoffman kiln into a most unusual dwelling, but at an advanced stage it was found that the remaining structure was flawed.
NEWSPAPERS
- Falkirk Herald, 19 June 1954:
Experienced Kiln Burner and all other classes of labour required for new composition brickwork at Avonbridge. Apply Manager, Avon Brick Co., Ltd. Avonbridge. - Scotsman, 21 March 1969, 3:
London and Northern Securities contracting group have taken over Avonbridge brick. - Daily Record, 26 February 1977, 21:
BRICKWORK MANAGER (MALE OR FEMALE). Avonbridge Brick Co Ltd Avonbridge near Falkirk require a Manager/Manageress experienced in operating Hoffman type kiln preferred but not essential. A sound knowledge of production engineering and man management is required. Age 35 plus. Salary to be negotiated. Local authority key worker house available. Application in writing to Avonbridge Brick Co Ltd, 110 Main Street, Larbert ..
Falkirk Local History Society 