It would have been a great picture!

In both my novel Radwinter, and its sequel Magick which I’m writing now, bricks crop up in various ways. Thomas Radwinter is researching his family history and he finds in the nineteenth century many of his family were involved in either making bricks or laying bricks.

In the interest of research I went to the brick and tile museum in Bridgwater. It is only a small place housed in part of an old brickworks, with the furnace just behind it. it is more of an exhibition than a museum, but it is really interesting and we really enjoyed our visit. There were enlarged photos on the walls of the workers in the nineteenth century, men and women, of the barges bringing the clay and taking way the bricks, and maps and aerial photographs to show the lay out of the works. There were the tools that were used, and a little video of an old tile-maker demonstrating his craft. We were able to go inside the furnace, wearing a hard-hat, and as we stood there, a bat fluttered around us!

I took loads of photos, inside and out… and I was just about to upload some to share with you… but find that I have no card in my camera… How annoying is that… herrumph!

Oh well, we will just have to go back and visit again!

http://www.experiencesomerset.co.uk/the-beginning-and-end-of-the-bridgwater-brick-and-tile-industry

http://www.freedomdays.co.uk/attractions/somerset-brick-and-tile-museum-bridgwater-somerset/Details/properties/refID-ATT27425