Accrington Red Bricks

mpnow · 05-10-2013, 05:52

Hellow everybody.

I am interested inn finding out more about the history of these famous bricks and the factory. I've been looking at google images but not much there. Can anyone point me in the direction of anything? All suggestions gratefully received
thanks
martin

DaveinGermany · 05-10-2013, 08:22

Here's one thread.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...rick-4998.html

Use the search facility above to look up old threads.

vecrra · 05-10-2013, 09:23

Nori (Iron) bricks were made at the Whinney Hill brickworks and the red bricks (Redac) were made at the Huncoat works.

Accrington brick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rowlf · 05-10-2013, 13:25

My dad worked for Nori for 30 years. He began in January 1931 aged 14 yrs at Whinney Hill. He was called up in 1941 and served in the Royal Navy till 1945. While he was away there was a fire at Whinney Hill and he was transferred to Clayton le Moors site. He never went back to Whinney Hill but I know that production did continue at that site later. Blackpool Tower was built of Huncoat brick originally but while my dad was at Clayton it ws refaced with Nori brick. The Hounshill shopping centre in Blackpool was also built of Nori brick. My house and garage are Nori brick and can vouch at their toughness as many bits of drills have been broken trying to drill into them. Never a better brick made.

Retlaw · 05-10-2013, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowlf

My dad worked for Nori for 30 years. He began in January 1931 aged 14 yrs at Whinney Hill. He was called up in 1941 and served in the Royal Navy till 1945. While he was away there was a fire at Whinney Hill and he was transferred to Clayton le Moors site. He never went back to Whinney Hill but I know that production did continue at that site later. Blackpool Tower was built of Huncoat brick originally but while my dad was at Clayton it ws refaced with Nori brick. The Hounshill shopping centre in Blackpool was also built of Nori brick. My house and garage are Nori brick and can vouch at their toughness as many bits of drills have been broken trying to drill into them. Never a better brick made.

They are easier to drill than you think, first I regrind the drill bit as if I were going to drill steel, then switch the hammer action Off (thats what damages drills on Nori) might have to resharpen if drilling to any depth, but otherwise it works for me.

Bob Dobson · 05-10-2013, 20:06

There has been very little written about Nori history, and there have been no college/university theses that I am aware of. It is a subject crying out for research whilst there are some former employees still about. At one time there was a member of the Nori board called John T Ellis. he owned a builders' merchants at St Annes and I have been told that he got a commission off every brick that came to the Fylde - millions of them. I suspect that you could get a grant towards your research =-PM me. First check in the library [email protected]. There may well be articles in The Builder and similar trade journals. There was a British Brick ( similar) Society at one time. Ask the present owners what records they have. Also check in Lancashire Archives.
I can probably put you in touch with one ex-employee

Bob Dobson · 05-10-2013, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by vecrra

Nori (Iron) bricks were made at the Whinney Hill brickworks and the red bricks (Redac) were made at the Huncoat works.

Accrington brick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

REDAC is of course a form of RED Accrington. It took me a long time to realise that. There was a brick-making firm at Rising Bridge owned by a Whittaker and one at Rishton owned by Clarke. The L:ancashire Museum own a collection of thousands of bricks given them by a collector some years ago. They may have a list of the makers' names.

maxthecollie · 05-10-2013, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

They are easier to drill than you think, first I regrind the drill bit as if I were going to drill steel, then switch the hammer action Off (thats what damages drills on Nori) might have to resharpen if drilling to any depth, but otherwise it works for me.

No problem to drill with an SDS drill

mpnow · 06-10-2013, 06:35

Thanks very much for this.

I had tried to do a search of all the forums here but came up with nothing.

I'll follow this up straight away.
thanks

martin

Bob Dobson · 10-10-2013, 09:39

It would be worthwhile looking at Mike Rothwell's splendid book on local industrial heritage

I have just come across an item which gives some detail of the Lancashire Brick & Terra Cotta Co (Baxenden) Ltd. In 1896 their phone number was 121. Managing director was Thomas Whittaker. The letter I have is signed by Thomas Whittaker Jnr. They made 'Plastic and semi-plastic red facing bricks, red terra-cotta ornamental brickwork and special engineering bricks'

Gordon Booth · 10-10-2013, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

They made 'Plastic and semi-plastic red facing bricks, red terra-cotta ornamental brickwork and special engineering bricks'

I didn't know Lego went back that far, Bob.

My mothers aunt married a chap who's father owned or had a lot of money in Nori. Arthur he was called and even in the 40's and early 50's he was dressed all day every day like a gentleman, complete with white 'spats'. Somewhat 'eccentric'. Never worked in his life. We assumed he inherited from his father or he supported him.
Can't remember his surname.