Reference
Z41/A
Title
Records of Arlesey Brick Company (Bearts) Limited
Date free text
1852 - 1928
Production date
From: 1852 To: 1928
Admin/biog history
BEARTS OF ARLESEY
1852 Founded by Robert Beart of Godmanchester, Cambs.
1877 Renamed 'Bearts Patent Brick Company'
1885 Renamed 'Bearts Patent Brick Company in association with Arlesey Brick Company'.
1898 Renamed 'The Arlesey Brick Company (Bearts) Limited'.
1928 Taken over by London Brick Company Limited.
Robert Beart of Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire, built what was then a major brickworks at Arlesey in 1852. With a siding from the Great Northern Line, he was aiming at a national rather than just a local market. He used steam power and a great deal of mechanisation, based on his experience at a smaller works in Huntingdon. By 1858 it was the most substantial brickworks in Bedfordshire. Beart specialised in making patent gault bricks with circular perforations through them. By the late 1860s two other companies were producing bricks at Arlesey; the Great Northern Railway, making bricks for itself until necessary building work was completed, and then Arlesey Brick Company who merged with Bearts in about 1898. London Brick and Forders Limited bought the company in 1928. The works ceased production at Arlesey in about 1932.
In 1928 the company was purchased by London Brick Co. & Forders Limited. See Z 41/LB 2/1/4/1 for file regarding the sale and purchase of the Arlesey Brick Company (Bearts) Limited.
Level of description
sub-fonds