Plan to honour part of Worcester's brickmaking heritage put forward
A public art project is being planned for Northwick, with plans submitted to Worcester City Council
A scheme to create a public art project that would honour a part of Worcester's brickmaking history has been designed and had plans for it put forward.
Inspired by Northwick's heritage, the piece is being planned for the area's newest housing developments.
A sculpture influenced by brick-stacking kilns once seen on the banks of the River Severn called a Clay Fold is being proposed for the end of Bixton Close which is between the edge of the new homes and the fields by the river.
Houses were built there by Stonewater after permission was granted on appeal by a planning inspector in 2020 and the developer has said it is now looking to add a “high quality piece of public art” to the site reflecting the heritage of the area.
In plans which have been submitted to Worcester City Council, Stonewater said: "The area was home to brickmaking as far back as medieval times.
“Raw clay and sand were dug out from the fields by the river and formed by hand into bricks one by one. After drying out, small batches of bricks were stacked up to make brick kilns where the bricks were fired using wood fires, reaching temperatures of 1200 degrees.
“The bricks were stacked in such a way as to allow airflow and heat to reach much of the surface of the brick as possible for consistent strength when fired.”
Plans also say bricks for the sculpture will come from Ketley Brick, a brick manufacturer in Brierley Hill that uses traditional kiln-fired production methods.
“The project is therefore not only inspired by the history of brick stacking, it actively continues that tradition through contemporary craft,” said Stonewater.
“The result is a truly distinctive piece of public art: site-specific, materially expressive and a genuine celebration of brick in all its depth, variation and enduring relevance.”
It added: "Positioned beside the footpath, the enclosure creates a sheltered courtyard where visitors can pause, sit and look out across the farmland.
“Carefully framed opening and step downs allow views through the structure, maintaining natural surveillance and visual connection to the wider landscape while offering privacy to neighbouring homes.”