Contents of kiln to be revealed this year
MORE than 30,000 bricks, which have been locked up inside an old kiln for 20 years, could soon see the light of day again.
Planning permission has been granted to open up the kiln at Brickfield in St Andrew’s, which is believed to contain up to 31,000, which were never fired.
The kiln dates from the 1920s and was used until 1947, when Best’s Brickfield stopped operating. It is believed the last round of bricks stamped with the Best name are still inside.
Guernsey Water, which now operates the site, has been granted permission to open up the kiln, which was in-filled with modern blockwork in the 1990s.
‘The removal of all the unfired bricks from the kiln will enable an inspection to be carried out,’ it was stated in the planning report.
‘The scheme proposes that a selection of good quality bricks are stacked on a pallet – approximately 500 bricks on a pallet – and taken to dry storage for use in any future display and interpretation of the site.
‘It is unlikely that all 31,000 bricks will be intact because they are unfired and the weight of the upper bricks is likely to have crushed the lower bricks, leaving only a pile of clay.’
The kiln is a protected monument, which means that special consideration needed to be given to the application.
It was noted that only 500 of the bricks were being kept, which is a low number.
‘It is acknowledged, however, that it is not possible to gauge the number of bricks which can be salvaged until the removal of bricks is under way,’ it was stated in the planning report.
Under the application, the opening above the door of the kiln would be propped and the area fenced to prevent unauthorised access to the structure.
The kiln is made from granite, with a red brick chimney.
It is in a poor condition and fencing has been erected around it to reduce the risks from falling masonry.
Currently Guernsey Water is carrying out preparatory work before opening up the kiln later this year.
