Explosions!

Since 2018 a group of volunteers have been working on a Heritage Lotter Funded project to research the Brickworks during the First World War.  They have been busy searching the internet to find stories about the people and the site.  Some interesting facts have been uncovered but there are still some frustrating gaps that we just can’t fill!  One aspect of the project has been to visit archives and other museums to help us develop an understanding of what it was like for the workers at the Brickworks during the war, the most likely use of the site during the period and methods of interpreting our research.  On Sunday 4th October two volunteers and the Collections Manager visited Explosions Museum of Naval Firepower in Gosport.  The visit helped us to see the similarities between their site and ours, and the possible use of our kilns and clay pits for military use and also how women were probably employed at the Brickworks during the war.  Most of the research has now been finished and we’re busy working on how to develop it into an exhibition, youth workshops and a commemoration day next year.  Keep an eye out on the website and Facebook to learn about project developments and keep your fingers crossed that Covid doesn’t stop us!