Charnwood Brick ? 8 ? Fired bricks ready to be extracted from the kiln

Image: © Alan Murray-Rust Taken: 24 Jul 2018

Charnwood Brick, Shepshed, is a component of Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC, producing traditional hand made bricks with an emphasis on use in the heritage restoration sector and new build where a traditional finish is desirable. Clay from the quarry is brought into the works on a conveyor belt http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857633 before being ground in a roller mill http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857638 and then passed through a pugging mill from which the clay emerges at the right consistency for moulding http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857691 . Wooden boxes, which include of various sizes compatible with a range of historic brick sizes http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857642 are used to mould the bricks. On the production line http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857645 clay is thrown in the moulds, sized, and placed on trolleys for transfer to a drying kiln http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857649 . This reduces the moisture content to ensure that bricks do not distort during final firing. The dried bricks are stacked for firing, seen here in the natural clay colour http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857654, the final colour being the result of the high temperature firing (this view). Finally, the bricks are palleted ready for dispatch http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857662 . The variety of products available can be seen in the construction of the modern office block and alongside. http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857666 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857668 http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5857677 I am grateful to the local management for facilitating a visit to the works and agreeing to the images being presented.

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