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Messrs G.H. Snowball & Co, Fire Brick Works.
Situated between Swalwell and Derwenthaugh, the above brickworks was able to produce 50,000 bricks per week. Not only did the firm have a thriving home trade but also an extensive export market to countries including Russia, France and Belgium.
Comments
Hi I was wondering about the name Snowball. My great grandad is from Swalwell, or at least I remember him living in Axwell Park. I also remember my mother odd times say those bricks were made by your family yet I know nothing. My grandads 1st name is Joseph, I'm on a family history trip and any thing you know would be great. I find it sad that people always talk about 'THE FAMILY' yet we a never told anything past 100 years. I understand times are different
Posted by: vanessa forster whalen at March 9, 2008 8:20 PM
James and George H Snowball had a brickworks in Swalwell from mid 19th century to about 1935. It was situated by the river Derwent near the present J R Adams road haulage contractors premises in Longrigg. They once had a considerable export trade. The firm was bought by Adamsez and finally closed in 1975. Sorry we don't have further information.
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at March 10, 2008 12:58 PM
Have you any idea if Snowball Brickworks was making bricks when they took over the business? I'm trying to find information regarding George Hannington, who came from Dorset, married Mary Armstrong - and opened a brickworks. In the 1861 census he was employing about 15 or 16 people, men and boys.
Posted by: rita at October 21, 2009 7:11 PM
Rita,
We have little information about Hannington's. Snowball's brickworks was close to Hannington's who we believe were involved in scrap handling and engineering. They later became Ellis's who made girders and steel products. Sorry we can't help more.
Posted by: Whickham Web Wanderers at October 22, 2009 4:13 PM