July 2005
York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne, opened its doors to students from the one-year Historic Buildings Conservation MA course at the University of York.
The students, from nine countries including Hong Kong, India, Thailand, Greece, Cyprus and the United States, heard of the role of hand-made bricks in conservation work from David Armitage, chairman and MD of the company, before touring the company's factory.
Mr Armitage commented: "For some years now we have enjoyed a close relationship with this course, which focuses on brickwork amongst many other basic materials, and it is wonderful for us to share with the conservators of the future our hands-on experience in the restoration of many famous brick buildings both in the United Kingdom and overseas."
Dr Peter Gouldsborough, course lecturer, said: "This was a wonderful opportunity to see brick-making in action. It is one thing to learn about bricks and conservation in theory. It's quite another to see bricks actually being made. My students were able to see, feel and touch - and become part of the whole intricate brick-making process."
Shannon Dennsion, from Denver, Colorado, said: "This has been a fascinating experience. It was interesting to hear about the work of York Handmade and the tour of the factory was illuminating. It was certainly a worthwhile day out."