The chairman of the York Handmade Brick Company, David Armitage, has returned to his old school to secure one of the most prestigious contracts in the company’s 37-year history.
The independent brick manufacturer, based at Alne, near Easingwold, is providing 350,000 bricks for two new boarding houses for girls at Winchester College in Hampshire.
David shared: “When I was a teenage schoolboy at Winchester College in 1955, I had little idea that I would ever become a brickmaker, despite the fact that my family had all been in the trade for four generations. In time, I became the fifth.
“I am sure no-one had any idea then that the all-boys Winchester College would one day admit girls. However, the scene moves on 70 years and two new boarding houses for sixth-form girls are opening in September next year. And, to my pride and delight, we are providing the bricks for this historic development.
“It is obviously a great honour for me personally to be supplying bricks to the college and even more so because I made the original contact with architects Stanton Williams to secure the contract. The college wanted a very special brick for a very special building and we were very pleased to be able to fit that bill and help to create this splendid structure.”
David added: “This has been a magnificent way to reconnect with my old school. It has brought back many happy memories of a formative part of my life.”
The value of this contract is £540,000. The main contractors are Gilbert Ash.
The project began several years ago when Winchester College decided to welcome girls into the Sixth Form as boarders. The college hopes that the two new boarding houses, and the introduction of girls will increase its involvement with, and contribution to, the city of Winchester.
