Brickmaking has been well established in Birstall Parish for over 50 years, and other sources of good earth in townships such as Emley and Mirfield have also been exploited by local men.

More recently Messrs John Cook and Joseph Farrand have built kilns on Heaton Moor and Hall Green [1], both in Kirkheaton parish, firing them with coal transported from neighbouring pits by William Cowgill. The makers have already been successful in finding customers. Bricks were used in the walling and chimneys when repairs and extensions were carried out at the iron-forge at Colne Bridge, and Mr Richard Beaumont of Whitley Hall is using them on internal walls at the “Temple”. (See photo above) In fact, recent orders obtained by Joseph Farrand [2] amount to over £50.

From-Huddersfield and District News May1745/1746. Editor George Redmonds. With kind permission of Ann-Marie Redmonds August 2022.

[1] Possibly near to Heaton Hall, Upperheaton  since the area once contained a medieval pottery. The placename no longer exists.

[2] Bricks also used for building the Ventilation Chimney at Cowmes colliery, Chimney lane Lepton-see George Redmonds “A Huddersfield Miscellany”, GR Books 2022

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