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Volunteers Sought to Build Medieval Tile Kiln
Volunteers are being sought to help build a Medieval Tile Kiln at Chatelherault Country Park this Autumn
Get your hands dirty and celebrate the brick and tile making industry in the Clyde and Avon Valley. The CAVLP Heritage team is looking for volunteers interested in getting involved in building and firing a Medieval Tile Kiln.
The Kiln building will take place on Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th at Chatelherault Country Park at 10:30am. Our Volunteers will meet in front of the Visitor’s Centre at Chatelherault and proceed to the building site from there. Participants will have the opportunity to try some experimental archaeology and help get ready for a dramatic Fire Night at Chatelherault on the 15th of October. Volunteers will be given the opportunity to help with the construction of the kiln, preparation of the medieval tiles, and will be given an insider’s experience into a widespread industry of the Middle Ages.
Karen McCusker, CAVLP Heritage Project Assistant says, “The clay industry in the Clyde and Avon Valley had such an impact on the lay of the land. We can see evidence of clay extraction sites and historic kilns in the local archaeology demonstrating the legacy of Brickworks throughout the Valley. It is very important that this rich heritage is given the attention it deserves.”
The work done by the volunteers will be integral to celebrating the brick and tile making industry in the Clyde and Avon Valley. To celebrate the early industries of the Clyde and Avon Valleys, which had an enormous impact on the local landscape, CAVLP Heritage will be organizing a Fire Night at Chatelherault. Including a Medieval kiln fire, bronze smelting and iron smelting demonstrations among its attractions, the Night will explore the development of the brick and tile industries, as well as the precursors to the steel industry that so dramatically affected the local area right up until the modern day.
Donna Marshall, Manager of the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership says, “This exciting volunteer collaboration project is a wonderful addition to the range of hands on learning opportunities we have been able to offer locally through our Heritage Lottery Fund supported programme. This project will be a great showcase for how experimental archaeology can transform our ability to understand the industries of past societies.”
Those who are interested in getting involved, please contact the CAVLP Heritage team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 01555 661 555 for further information. Booking is essential. To book your place, please visit cavlp.eventbrite.com or call us at 01555 661 555.
CAVLP Heritage projects run as part of the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership are funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Environment Scotland.
