Scotland's Brick and Tile Manufacturing Industry

Canmore

Alex Frew & Co operated two brickworks to the east of Airdrie in Lanarkshire. Rawyards Brickworks commenced working in the late 19th century, whilst the Drumbathie Brickworks to the south of Rawyards was in production from the early 20th century. Production at this latter works ceased c.1960.

Rawyards Brickworks, Rawyards, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

Alternative brickworks include:

• Drumbathie Brickworks, Rawyards, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

1868 – Alexander Frew, brick and tile maker, Burnside Cottage, Galston.

1872 – Alexander Frew, brick and tile maker, Burnside Cottage, Galston.

Below – 25/10/1890 – Lanarkshire Upper Ward Examiner – Councillor Martyn makes a speech and refers to Mr Frew and ‘half biled bricks’

1891 – Census – William Hailstorm, 6 Callon Street, Airdrie, brickworks manager.

12/11/1892 – Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser – Presentation to Mr Alex. Frew. On Monday evening last a deputation of the employees of Rawyards Brickworks waited on Mr Alex. Frew at his father’s residence, Broomknoll Street, Airdrie, and presented him with a massive marble dining room clock, and for his bride a handsome case of fruit knives and forks. Mr Hailstones, the foreman at the works, made the presentation, and in the course of his speech remarked that the workers gave their subscription most heartily, which was proof of the good feeling existing between employer and employees. They wished Mr Frew a long life and happiness and all manner of success in the business recently started at Rawyards. Mr Frew replied, thanking each and all for their costly presents, and also on behalf of his bride, and hoped that the good feeling which Mr Hailstones had alluded to as existing between himself and the worker, would long continue and he would leave nothing undone on his part for the present good relations to continue in the future. The company was afterwards entertained to supper, and an enjoyable evening was spent. The clock bore the following inscription: Presented to Alexander Frew, Esq., on the occasion of his marriage, by the employees of Rawyards Brickworks and a few friends November 10th, 1892. The clock was of chaste design, and the knives and forks of silver, with mother-of-pearl handles, enclosed in a polished oak ease. The articles were supplied by Mrs Robertson, jeweller, Stirling Street, Airdrie. Last night the male and female workers at the Rawyards Brickworks were entertained to supper and ball on the occasion of Mr Frew’a marriage. The large drying shed at the works was transformed into a splendid ballroom, well lighted and heated, and was admirably adapted for dancing. Over 30 sat down to supper. Mr Hailestones, the foreman, presided, and in proposing the health of Mr and Mrs Frew, referred to the kindness of their esteemed employer in providing for their pleasure that night. This was endorsed by the company present. Afterwards, dancing was kept up with spirit for a considerable time.

Below – 21/01/1895 – Glasgow Herald – Fatal railway accident at Rawyards Brickworks. Daniel Cairney.

Below – 1897 – Rawyards Brickworks.

21/10/1899 – Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser – Splendid inside cart and harness for sale. Apply Rawyards Brickworks.

04/11/1899 – Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser -Wanted a smart boy for office. Apply Rawyards Brickworks.

06/10/1900 – Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser – Wanted – A good reliable burner for Hoffman Kiln also lad for a haulage engine. Apply Frew, Rawyards Brickwork, Airdrie.

1901 – Directory of Clayworkers – Alexander Frew & Co, Rawyards and Drumbathie Brickwork, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Composition, white and red facing, fire, and vitrified bricks, fire clay pipes, chimney cans. T. add ” Frew, Rawyards, Airdrie.” Tel 7 Airdrie.

1902 – Alexander Frew had a share in the Larkhall Fireclay Co.

Below – 10/06/1904 – Linlithgowshire Gazette – Mr Albert Hogg leaves Robert Muir & Co, Fire brick makers to become manager of Mr Frew’s brickworks at Rawyards.

11/02/1905 – Coatbridge Leader – On Saturday morning a sad accident happened in the brickworks of Alex. Frew & Co at Rawyards, Airdrie. Patrick McDade the foreman in the clay quarry had been engaged with some men there when a fall of clay came down upon him causing a dislocation of his neck. He was rendered unconscious and died in half an hour. The deceased who lived in Baird’s Square was a widower and is survived by two sons.

14/09/1907 – Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser – Wanted a good steady carter. Constant employment for a good man. Apply Rawyards Brickworks and Colliery, Airdrie.

29/05/1909 – Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser – On Thursday, before Sheriff Balfour at a pleading diet in Glasgow, Peter Woodhead, Airdrie, was charged with having between 5th and 9th May last, from the yard at Rawyards Brickworks, occupied by Alex. Frew & Co., stolen 3 1/4 cwts, or thereby of iron rails. Previous convictions of theft and attempted theft were libelled. Woodhead pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six calendar months’ imprisonment.

15/11/1911 – Coatbridge Express – Three small girls named Walker and Davidson were charged with stealing coals from Rawyards Brickworks. (Bailie Frew took no part in the hearing of this case). The charge against Jessie Davidson was withdrawn but Euphemia Walker and Nellie Davidson were fined half a crown each and allowed till Saturday to pay.

26/08/1927 – Bellshill Speaker -Airdrie Provost’s death. On tour in Canada. The death has occurred of ex-Provost Alexander Pate Frew, J.P.,  Airdrie, while on a tour in Canada.

He has a long and active municipal record.  He became a member of the Airdrie Town Council in December 1894, and being a practical man in regard to contracting and other business, he proved of great value in some departments of the burgh work and was a convener of the Road Committee for many years.  He was a magistrate of the Burgh for eight years, Dean of Guild for four years, honorary treasurer from November 1921.  He then retired from municipal work, having truly “borne the burden and heat of the day” for the long continuous spell of 27 years.  He was Provost for seven years in all, having been prevailed upon by the Council to continue on, after his second period of three years was finished, for one year more to finish the war work, and other undertakings, which he had initiated.  In much of the work he organised for sending the parcels to the troops, he was ably assisted by his wife and daughters, and leading townspeople who gathered around them, and the good done in this way in supporting and sustaining our armies in the field and our navy on the seas was incalculable.

13/02/1932 – Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser – Contributions to charity. The employees of Alexander Frew and Co., Ltd., Rawyards, Drumbuthie and Glentore Works, Airdrie have contributed to the under noted institution for the past year: …

1936 – 1937 – Frew, Alexander & Co., Ltd. (manufacturers of the famous “Glentore” and “Rawyards, Glasgow,” brands of firebricks and Fireclay; furnace blocks, sanitary pipes and connections; chimney Cans and fireclay goods of every description; first quality red clay building bricks), Rawyards Works and Drumbathie Works, Airdrie. Tel. 43 Airdrie. Barracks depot, Gallowgate C.4 (Tel. No., 363 Bell).

12/06/1937 – Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser – New Brickworks for Plains Airdrie and district are sharing in the brick-making boom caused by an unprecedented demand for building material which is being made at the present time. The Airdrie Brickworks are extending their works in order to double their present production, and a new brickwork, to cost about £15,000 is being constructed at Stepend Colliery, Plains.  At Rawyards Brickworks, the oldest brickworks in the district, Messrs Alex. Frew and Co., Ltd., are working to capacity to meet orders from many parts of the country. The Plains Brickwork is being constructed by the Ardenrigg Coal Company and will make use of pit refuse at Stepend Colliery. When completed, the works will be able to produce as many as  20,000 bricks per clay. It is expected that the new works will give employment to about 50 men. Builders are at present engaged in the construction of the kilns and other plant, but they will not be ready for use for a few months yet. Mr A. S. Smith. manager of the Airdrie Brickworks told an “Advertiser” reporter what the effects of the extension being made to the works would be.  At the present time, there are 26 kilns in operation giving a weekly production of 16,000 bricks. The extension, which includes an extra milling plant, will provide 18 more kilns and it is estimated, will bring the weekly production up to 320,000 bricks. The Airdrie Brick Works were only started about 17 months ago and production was not commenced until four months later. When the extension is completed two or three months hence about 65 men will be employed at the works. The clay brick process is used at those works and it is considered that there is sufficient pit refuse at the Howlet bing to supply them with material for about 20 years. The works are at present busily engaged fulfilling contracts for Newsatleton,  Perth, Edinburgh, Dundee and other parts of the country. A number of exceptionally good contracts have been secured by Messrs Alexander Frew & Co., at the Rawyards Brickworks. Their capacity of 170,000 bricks per week is fully taxed, and the hundred men employed there are likely to be kept busy for many months yet. The Rawyards Brickworks specialises in the making of clay facing bricks used in the construction of schools, housing schemes, and factory buildings. At Dumbarton, two monuments of their work are being built in the Blackburn Aircraft Factory and the distillery being erected for Messrs Hiram Walker & Co., Ltd. More than three million bricks are required for those two contracts. The firm has also supplied bricks for the building of the new engineering shop of Messrs Hastie, Greenock.  They have also secured contracts front the local authorities of Glasgow,  Airdrie,  Greenock, Port Glasgow, Gourock, West Lothian, Bathgate and the County Council.  The works are equipped with a battery of  Hoffman’s Kilns, eight Newcastle Kilns, and four round downdraft kilns.

Below – 1938– Rawyards Brickworks, Airdrie.

c. 1960 – The 1985 publication ‘A survey of Scottish brickmarks’ suggests the works closed around this time.