Yorkshire firm plays pivotal role in construction at historic college

The York Handmade Brick Company has helped create a brand-new library at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, supplied more than 300,000 bricks for the £17m building at the historic college.

The contract is worth £300,000 for the independent brickmaker.

David Armitage, chairman of the company, said: “It was a tremendous honour to be asked to provide our bricks for such a prestigious project. Magdalene has a rich cultural heritage and this stunning new building reflects this.

“The finished building is absolutely magnificent and provides a wonderful place for Magdalene students to work. It is one of our flagship projects over the past few years and we are proud of what we have achieved.

Photograph provided by Magdalene College

“Our specially chosen and manufactured red bricks and specials complement the unique surroundings and fitting in in with the College’s architecture and landscape.

The business was selected primarily for the colour and the character of its brick, but also because of the company’s ability to manufacture a wide range of intricate specials and sizes to fit in with the design specified by the architect.

Armitage said: “We must pay tribute to the contractor and especially Julian Redpath, who is the site manager for Cocksedge Building Contractors Ltd.

“Julian supervised the project throughout in a highly professional manner, ensuring great diligence and care was taken with all the brickwork.

“This is a classic example of how brickwork should be done and how to avoid staining and efflorescence.

“This commission continues our strong relationship with colleges and university buildings at Oxford and Cambridge. We have provided bricks for Christchurch College in Oxford, as well as Oxford’s Said Business School, and Jesus College, Cambridge.

“It is an immense privilege to be associated with such important buildings and projects in historic and sensitive environments. It is also testament to the renaissance of brick as the building material of choice for significant and prestigious developments.

“I would also like to thank Ted Ward, our hard-working brick sales agent, whose contacts and commitment secured us this prestigious contract.”

A spokesman for Magdalene College said: “We looked at various brick manufacturers to try to find a brick that would work well with the existing Pepys Library.

“York Handmade’s bricks were deemed the most appropriate, following the review of sample panels.

“The results in terms of blend and colouring were as expected and the bricks complement their surroundings.”