1899 – Castlecary Fireclay Works were opened after a 31 year lease (with a further 31 year option) was signed with the Marquis of Zetland.
15/03/1904 – Production of the brand ‘Thistle’ began.
1905 – The company was incorporated as John G Stein and Co. (20/01/1905?)
10/08/1917 – Kilsyth Chronicle – There were prospects of a strike of Messrs Steins Castlecary Fireclay workers on Monday but acting on the advice of the Union officials a stoppage of work was in the meantime postponed. The workers are after considerable increases claiming that they are paid 8s less than the rates paid to similar workers under the Glenboig Company.
Below – 07/09/1917 – Daily Record – Wages dispute .
1919 – 1922 – Allandale village was built to provide housing for the work force at the Castlecary works.
17/01/1920 – Aberdeen Press and Journal – A ballot of the Castlecary Fireclay miners of Messrs J.G.Stein & Co has resulted in the majority voting for a strike to enforce recognition of the local union officials at this company’s High Bonnybridge Works where the miners are out on strike.
05/05/1922 – Kilsyth Chronicle – Fireclay Works close – The closing down of Messrs J.G Stein & Co’s extensive fireclay works at Castlecary, which had been threatened for sometime unless there was a spirited revival in trade has caused much disappointment all round. Messrs Stein have kept their works going through the bad times but stocks have accumulated to such an extent that a stoppage has been rendered necessary and it may be two or three months before a resumption of work is made.
Below – 27/02/1926 – Falkirk Herald – J.G.Steins workers gathering.
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1927 – Castlecary laboratory was started.
1927 – Alan Stein takes over the company after the death of his father John Gilchrist Stein.
1928 – Dr Hyslop was the first chemist in charge of the laboratory.
Below – 23/02/1929 – Falkirk Herald – John G Stein annual social outing.
21/09/1929 – Falkirk Herald – Marquis of Zetlands visit – On Monday afternoon the Marquis of Zetland paid a visit to Castlecary Fire Clay Works of Messrs John G Stein Ltd. On his arrival he was met by Col. Stein and was conducted over the works. The Marquis showed great interest in the various departments of brickmaking.
Below – 04/04/1931 – Falkirk Herald – Employee’s reunion – Annual gathering of employee’s of Messrs John G Stein & Co – Col Stein and the trade outlook.
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17/01/1936 – Kirkintilloch Gazette – Castlecary – Trade is exceedingly busy at Messrs Steins Fireclay Works at present. Extra accommodation is being provided.
22/05/1939 – Edinburgh Evening News – John G Stein & Co Ltd, Castlecary Fireclay Works are to give every employee who has 1 years service or over a weeks holiday with pay in the summer. Those with less than a years service will receive one days pay for every 2 months service.
14/06/1947 – Falkirk Herald – Men wanted for fire clay pit. Mining experience not essential, 6 weeks training given on trade union wages; after training energetic men can earn good wages on piece work – John G Stein & Co Ltd, Castlecary Works, Bonnybridge.
Below – 1950 – 1967 – Castlecary Fireclay Works.
03/11/1951 – Falkirk Herald – Electrician wanted; must be skilled in maintenance and repair of all types of motors. Maintenance men and machinists wanted. Must be members of the A.E.U. Apprentices also required to train in these trades. Apply to John Stein & Co, Castlecary Works, Bonnybridge.
01/1959 – New plant is built to manufacture cements and patches.
07/1960 – The production of the Myrtle, Bluebell and Daisy silica bricks ceases.
1965 – An early computer is installed at the works. This is believed to have been the first installed at a brickworks in Scotland.
1970 – GR-Stein Refractories Ltd was formed by merger of John G. Stein and Co and General Refractories of Sheffield. GR-Stein became a subsidiary of Hepworth Ceramic Holdings Ltd.
12/1979 – Fire brick manufacture is closed down.
10/1981 – Cement and patch manufacture is closed down.
Found by Gordon Wyle at the old Manuel Works, Whitecross. (Note – SBH – It is likely this should read A / 80 for Alro 80. The green colour of the brick also points to this being an Alro product) Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein…
The following fire brick core samples were rescued by the late Joan Faithfull in 2001 when the Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross closed down. They were generously donated to my collection by Joan’s husband, Monty Faithfull and her son, John Faithfull. Such core samples would be sent to the Stein laboratories for tests and…
Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor Brickworks, Denny, Stirlingshire. Milnquarter Fireclay & Gannister Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. The following fire bricks were rescued by the late Joan Faithfull in 2001 when the Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross closed down. These fire bricks had…
This mine was sunk to supply the Stein Castlecary Firclay Works with high alumina grade clay. (Thistle fireclay). Silica clay was also found and this was used to manufacture silica based firebricks. 20/04/1903 – Work starts on the mine. 04/11/1903 – Clay was reached and a further return airway shaft was dug and this took…
Found Manuel Works, Whitecross by Gordon Wyle. This example is not in my possession. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor Brickworks, Denny, Stirlingshire. Milnquarter Fireclay & Gannister Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire.
Found Manuel Works, Whitecross by Gordon Wyle. This example is not in my possession. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor Brickworks, Denny, Stirlingshire. Milnquarter Fireclay & Gannister Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire.
Below – June 1941 – Bulletin of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy – Stein Refractories. Stein Chrome, Stein Dikro, Stein KM, Stein Mag, Stein Dimag. Below – March 1946 – Bulletin of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy – Stein Refractories. Below – August 1947 – Bulletin of the Institution of Mining and…
Ayrshire Bauxitic Clay – An allochthonous deposit? – S.K. Monro, F.C.Loughnan and M.C. Walker. 1944 – 1967 – Bauxite Clay, Dubbs Quarry, Saltcoats. (Note – SBH – I believe this was operated by the Ayrshire Bauxitic Clay Company Ltd.)
17/11/1887 – John Stein starts to drive the mine with 6 employees. 26/02/1888 – The clay is reached. 11/11/1911 – Falkirk Herald – Sequel to a clay mine fatality – ln Falkirk Sheriff Court Thursday, public inquiry was held in presence of Sheriff Moffatt and a jury, in regard to to the death of Clark Reid,…
Garnqueen Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Gartliston Fireclay Works, Glenboig, Lanarkshire. Gartliston (opened 1889) and Garnqueen (opened 1895) which was closer to Glenboig village, being about 1 mile south east of the village. Canmore – Gartliston Canmore – Garnqueen Monklands – a cracking read – A personal recollection By Bob McMillan P & M Hurll Ltd owned Birkhill Clay Mine in…
