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GR Stein Refractories Ltd and Borstal Youth Detention Centre

The following items were found by Ian Suddaby on the site of the Manuel Brickworks, Whitecross.

Ian states – Excavations during development work within the 1970s made ground at Manuel Brickworks in Central Scotland continue to turn up interesting information and history.

Much of the paperwork dug up in early March turned out to be records relating to the transfer of pallets by lorry between Manuel and ‘Borstal’. I was unsure what this meant so the question was asked on the workers Facebook page and it turns out that the inmates of the Borstal (now a Young Offenders Institute) at Polmont near Falkirk repaired the pallets as part of their rehabilitation/punishment/upskilling in the 1970s. The numbers on the records show this was a major operation, with 300-500+ pallets being moved between the two places per week. That’s 60-100 being repaired each day. They were obviously trusted with a claw hammer and 2-3″ nails.
A picture of a broken GR-Stein Ltd pallet from the same made ground is included.

Below – 2 Shipping notes detailing pallets sent from GR Stein Refractories to Borstal. (Found in a poly bag).

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Below – A section of wooden pallet stencilled in black with ‘GR -Stein Ltd’.

Below – A pallet stock note detailing pallets sent to Borstal and the number repaired and returned.

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