The kiln question

Wednesday 27 March 2019

Guernsey Water isn't sure what to do with the Brickfield kiln on its property and wants to know what you think.

The utility firm is going to hold a conservation consultation afternoon so any options for protecting or preserving it can be discussed.

WYG (Heritage Consultants) has been appointed by Guernsey Water to prepare a conservation management plan for the Brickfield kiln and, as part of the preparation for that plan, they are holding the open consultation for any interested parties on Thursday, 11 April, at Guernsey Yacht Club between 12:00 and 16:00.

After that, a conservation management plan will be designed in order to 'maintain the kiln’s structural integrity for future generations'. 

They want to use that to gather thoughts and considerations from anyone who has an interest in this piece of heritage, and then use those ideas to plan for the kiln’s conservation.

Pictured: The Brickfield kiln at Guernsey Water. 

The kiln is a protected monument and was recently emptied of all unfired “Best” branded bricks, with anyone with connections to the former brickfield able to go and take some home to keep for a donation. Five hundred bricks were claimed.

Guernsey Water’s Capital Delivery Manager, Mark Walker said: “The kiln was originally constructed in 1927, replacing an earlier bottle kiln on the site owned by the Best family. The only other intact kilns in Guernsey stand at Oatlands, so it’s a real privilege to have one here at our headquarters.  

“As we saw from the number of people who turned out to collect a brick, many islanders are passionate about conservation and local heritage, so we thought opening the event up, to allow people to bring their own thoughts and ideas would be of great benefit to the future of the site.”