SMR 567 / NS 851 752
These works were built on the ridge at Masonfield near Jawcraig by the Alloa Coal Co. Construction work began in Jan 1937 and by June the kilns were ready for use, and by September bricks were being sold. Two lines of 18-chambered Belgian kilns under a steel-framed cover were aligned E-W under a sheeted roof. To the east was a building housing the mixing pan, moulding machines, etc. The tall chimney was a landmark by day, and the light from the brickwork was a landmark by night. Raw materials were obtained from the Carbrook Mine at Torwood. The Company stopped the production of common bricks in 1964 and concentrated on refractories, including firebricks, cement, castings, high alumina products, castable products, gun mixes and aluminous jointing cements.
In 1947 Jawcraig Brickworks was operated by Stirlingshire Brickworks Ltd, which built a bungalow near Falkirk for its manager. The works produced refractory bricks but demand for these declined and in 1979 production eased. At the time of their closure the works were operated by Craigend Refractories Ltd. The Millstone Grit and Fireclay Ltd then proposed making high quality facing and engineering bricks using locally mined materials.
It was hoped that the £1 million investment by the company would lead to the production of seven million bricks in the first year and would employ 30 people. The old kilns were demolished c1986 and new gas-fired clamps installed. Brick were also sold direct to the public in the early 1990s. The works were rebuilt and re-opened in 1987 but mothballed in 1993 and other uses were found for the premises.
Bibliography
| Graham, D. | 1993 | Brick, Tile and Fireclay Industries in Scotland. p.41,62. |
| Ordnance Survey Archaeology Sheet. | Jawcraig Coal Working. “An old timbered works of unusual type cut by a shallow modern working is seen at Jawcraig.” | |
| Waugh, J. | 1977 | Slamannan Parish through the Changing Years. “The brick Industry is still carried on in the Slamannan Parish. There is a brickwork at Masonfield, near Jawcraig. It was built by the Alloa Coal Company. The work of the building began in January, 1917 and by June the kilns were nearly ready for use. Bricks were being manufactured by September of that year. It was said at the time that the tall chimney was a landmark by day, and the light from the brickwork was a landmark by night. Its present owners are the Craigend Refactories Ltd., Craigend, Avonbridge.” [p.85] |
| The Falkirk Herald | Various dates. Quotations listed below. |
Falkirk Herald 30 January 1937, 7: “Good news has come to the village by the announcement of the commencement of brickwork in the Jawcraig district. Let’s hope that once it gets going will provide work for many men. Perhaps it will be the forerunner of other…!
Falkirk Herald 28 August 1937, 7: “What seems like phenomenal progress has been made with the building of the brickwork at Jawcraig. In next to no time there has been reared a chimney that is now a landmark, and, in addition, there are the substantial kilns and other constructions requisite for the brick-making.”
Falkirk Herald 25 September 1937, 9: “The lights of the Alloa Coal Co’s brickwork at Jawcraig have made the establishment a landmark by night, as its tall chimney or “lum” has done by day. It is now quite cheering to look northwards these nights.”
Falkirk Herald 7 August 1937, 2: “WANTED, for Brickworks at Jawcraig, an Experienced Engineman, to attend to Diesel engine.—Apply at Brickworks.”
Falkirk Herald 22 February 1947, 5: “The Stirlingshire brickworks Ltd, Glasshouse Loan, Alloa, craved sanction to erect a bungalow on a piece of ground adjoining a road leading from Slamannan Road, Falkirk, at an estimated cost of £1,200. It was stated that the bungalow was for occupation by one of the company’s managers who was regarded as a “key man at the Jawcraig Brick Works. Police Judge Menzies said it was very nice to know that some private building was going on. Warrant for the erection was granted.”
Falkirk Herald 3 April 1987, 3: “Millstone Grit and Fireclay Co, Wester Jawcraig. Accident when teenager lost the tips of two fingers.”
Falkirk Herald 10 June 1988, 1: “A firm has announced plans to employ a further 30 people. Millstone Grit and Fireclay Ltd. is taking on extra staff to start brick production at its Jawcraig works in Slamannan, High quality facing and engineering bricks will be produced using locally mined materials. The £1 million investment by the company is hoped to lead to the production of seven million bricks in the first year… the company made refractory bricks for 15 years before halting production eight years ago due to a decline in demand for bricks of that type.”
Falkirk Herald 18 April 1991, 13: “BRICKS DIRECT TO THE PUBLIC TO SUIT ALL REQUIREMENTS Sample panels on show. Minimum quantity 100 bricks. JAWCRAIG BRICKWORKS On the A803 Falkirk/Slamannan Road Telephone (0324) 85733 or 85347… Falkirk Herald 20 August 1992, 2: Limited have applied for an authorisation from Falkirk District Council to operate a plant to manufacture clay goods at Jawcraigs Works, Slamannan.”
Falkirk Local History Society 