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From the Keyboard of Andy Richardson...
Kent Handmade Garden Pavers
Lambs have recently launched a brick range for use as Garden Pavers. Laid frog down and selected for smoothness of bed face these frost proof bricks replicate the old style garden paths found throughout the southeast of England.
They can be laid in running bond tightly butted up against each other to give a minimal joint or laid in herringbone or basket weave patterns. With these patterns they require a joint which is best filled at the time of laying with the bedding mortar or similar mix.
If you are looking for a path with instant age try these as pavers.
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Running bond
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Herringbone
Cheyne Walk
This fine Grade II* listed gateway in one of the best locations in London has just been given a major overhaul. The outer pair of piers were sadly in such poor condition that they were dismantled after much consultation with and approval from English Heritage. Lambs Gauged Red Rubber Material was given full approval to be used on the rebuild of the outer pair of piers and the restoration of the larger inner pair of piers.
The specials on the inner piers lap over the gauged squares of the panel centre reducing the intrusion of the joint. Each special was hand cut to the template and fished to allow the contractor PAYE Stonework & Restoration to lay the work in 2mm lime putty joints. The final piece of restoration work is just being completed.
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SPRING SALE - Many items just 49 pence each
In an unprecedented move Lambs have decided it's time to offer a huge range of special shaped bricks at crazy prices.
From Ovolos to Cavettos and Half Round Cappings to Tudor Roses the list is almost endless.
Some of these specials have lain forgotten for years gently gathering the pattina of age while others are still fresh from the kiln.
We will be adding new items to the list on the Special Offers page almost daily but there are too many variations to show them all. We will, however, be glad to arrange a time when you can visit the works to inspect the stock and take delivery of your selection. Please call the sales office to arrange this.
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Part of the Stock Yard
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view of another part of the yard
The lion roars again
Lambs have recently acquired the complete mould catalogue of the Ibstock Hathernware terracotta factory which operated from 1874 until its closure in 2004. Lambs workshop team are in the process of inspecting and identifying the various items which includes the famous Warwick Urn amongst other items. Also in the collection are moulds for animals of the Natural History Museum terracotta detailing including the famous lion which stands on the parapet at dormer level. The lion is one of a set of six animals, three living and three extinct, which were installed at high level.
The lion stands five feet seven inches high and was originally designed by Alfred Waterhouse as part of his Romanesque style Natural History Museum built between 1860 & 1880.
Moulded in two parts for ease of manufacturing the lion is later joined together. The photograph to the right shows the body section being filled and at least one person has an idea how it might feel to be eaten by a lion! The scale can clearly be seen but it must be remembered that the newly moulded green lion has to be far larger due to the allowance for shrinkage.
The completed lion will soon take pride of place in Lambs Terracotta workshop in Portslade and should look something like the former example shown here.
The other moulds in the collection cover a wide range of items with complete urns and sprig moulds for urns and decorative additions all carefully logged. One sprig mould is shown here with various pallets of moulds in the background. It is Lambs intention to create and fire many of these items over the coming months.
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The completed lion
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The lion mould being filled
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Hathernware moulds in the warehouse
New flame
Following on from the success of the kiln installed at Pitsham Brickworks Lambs have invested in three new kilns for the Cremer Whiting Works at Faversham.
Using the lessons learnt at Pitsham and the same technology the new kilns will have a capacity of 22,000 bricks which, with a 99% yield, will result in a greater percentage of bricks of the required colour.
Computer controlled programming will allow production to call up the exact temperate and timings required to achieve a pre-determined finished product which, with a consistent temperature of +/- 1 degree, top to bottom, left to right, will result in far less off-shades. The fibre lined kiln units were delivered earlier this year and are currently being fitted with the LPG supply and are due to be commissioned in the spring.
These new kilns will give the works a greater flexibility and the ability to continue to manufacture Rubber Range Facings from the on site brick earth continuing a centuries old tradition.
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Kilns being delivered to the Cremer brickworks
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New kiln prior to installation