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Apse Heath had a brick works early in the 20th
century. It closed down in 1937.
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There were two types of clay used in the construction of bricks, yellow clay
for the kiln bricks and black clay for the clamp bricks. The clay was mainly dug
in the winter months when no bricks were made. The clay was dug out and then
carted by wheelbarrow back to a big heap near the brick-making tables ready for
the brick making season. Ponds formed in the pits which were left after the clay
had been dug.
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The sand needed to make bricks was brought from the sandpit at Apse.
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When it was felt that the danger of frost was past brick-making would
commence.
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Bricks were made in two ways, either fired in kilns or in clamps. The kilns
had six fires built into the side of each one. The fires were allowed to burn
for three days and nights before they were put out. The fires were then allowed
to cool, which took from a week to a fortnight. The bricks were still often hot
when they were removed from the kilns.
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