Dock restoration team visits Brickfield and learns traditional brick making techniques!

Last weekend our volunteers took part in a brick making community research project run by V&A museum, Newham Heritage Month, Brickfield and UEL. It was an amazing opportunity for the project team to learn how to make a brick using the clay dug locally from the borough!

Check out some of the fun facts that we learnt during the workshop!

Did you know that:

  • Bricks are energy efficient because they hold sunlight throughout the day and release that energy after the sun goes down.
  • There is minimal waste in the brick production process as only an insignificant amount of minerals and moisture vanish during the heating process.
  • In 2007, a new type of brick was invented using fly ash, a by-product of coal power plants.
  • Brick can withstand extreme temperature changes and is considered one of the most durable building products.
  • The Romans created mobile kilns which allowed them to introduce kiln fired bricks to the whole of the Roman Empire.
  • Handmade bricks are still commonly used in the United Kingdom.

Why not join our dock restoration volunteer team? Check out the Volunteer Page for more information and email [email protected] if you have any questions! We are also on the look out for a Kickstarter Heritage Dock Restoration Worker, find out more! 

You can sign up to summer sessions by following this link! 

If you would like to know more about Brick Making Heritage in Newham and explore clay and its importance to the urban landscape you still can sign up for a week long workshops from Monday 24th – Sunday 30th. Please contact Georgia from V&A at [email protected]

Join them for a weekend of performances on Saturday 29 May 10am & 1pm and Sunday 30 May 11am & 2 pm.

https://www.newhamheritagemonth.org/events/brickfield-newham-hands-on-outdoor-brickmaking-and-short-performance/

Check out the links below for more events and information about NEWHAM HERITAGE MONTH!

Get more information about Brickfield Newham on: https://www.newhamheritagemonth.org/records/brickfield-newham/

Get inspired by watching “The Making of Bricks” , free at the BFI website: Making of BRICKS 1938

Also check out Rosetta Arts Newham Heritage Month Workshops hosted at Cody Dock! 

More about Newham Heritage Month!