RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cambridgeshire => Topic started by: sadiemc on Wednesday 02 March 11 08:01 GMT (UK)
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Hi
I am looking at two places connected with my family history and a research project I am doing about railway and brick workers. I am trying to learn more about the history of Phorpres Houses and Mile End Road (which I think is now St Margaret's Road).
Any pointers would be welcome.
Thanks
Sadie
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With any project like this, the best first port of call is always the local library, and then the museum. Unfortunately Peterborough museum is in the process of moving to new premises, so it's currently closed to the public for quite some time.
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Phorpres House has now been turned into flats. Previously it was offices I think for London Brick. I would have thought that a call or letter to London Brick would help, they must have some archives I would think.
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Hi Colin
Thankyou for this. I live just down the road from Phorpres House so am quite familiar with it's current history so contacting the company seems a good idea for it's original purpose.
By the way I had a look at your website and found it fascinating. Was it hard to create as I have considered doing a website for my research but am a bit daunted by the options.
Sadie
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Hi Sadie
I didn't realise you are local too. Websites are fairly easy using software made for the job. Easier still if you use a blogging site, something like wordpress is probably the easiest.
Colin
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Hi there, just a piece of info for you.
i have a book by the London brick company and it says the phorpres house was built in late 1890's- 1896 to be precise, and also shows a picture of it being built..and it was known firstly as the Coffee Palace.
kind regards
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Thankyou so much for that. I wondered if you could let me have the details of the book. Also what is your interest in the brickyards?
Thankyou again.
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Iv'e always been interested in local history, fletton and woodston , and i only live a stones throw away from phorpres house.
the book is called 'clay that burns' and it is all about the fletton brick making industry and is a fabulous read.
the book is out of print as it was published in 1981, there might be the odd copy on ebay, but you could borrow my copy if you live local
kind regards
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Hi
By coincidence I was reading that book in the library at the weekend but had not noticed that particular picture. Next time I am in the library I will take a look.
I too live in Fletton, opposite St Margaret's Church, and am doing postgraduate research on migration into Fletton 1841-1891 in connection with the railways and brickyards.
I would be very interested ina ny local history information that you may have. I would of course acknowledge within my thesis any information taht you give me.
Thanks in anticipation
Sadie
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I was brought up in Boston, and remember the name Phorpres on some of the bricks used loccally, also those of the London Brick Company (LBC) I always thought they were separate companies. Was I wrong?
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The LBC trade-name Phorpres came about because Fletton Bricks made in Bedfordshire are pressed twice in each direction so that they are literally 'four pressed'.
As well as Phorpres House the social club and football team were called Phorpres. I think one of the Peterborough yards was called Phorpres but I may be wrong.
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Does "Phorpres" have a meaning, or is it a made up word?
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It is a made up word - meant to sound like four-press for the reason Colin explained
Robert
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Thanks Robbo, I had realised that, but wondered if it was a pun on an ancient word, Greek perhaps?
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I am new on here, but not new to family history etc, after a chat with my dad yesterday I decided to make a facebook page on Fletton, so I could share the postcards that I have and all the stuff my dad remembers, my grandad worked on the brickyards from when he got married in 1934 until he retired in around 1977, he did have a break during the war, but was in two minds to go to Perkins Engines but decided to go back to the brickyards
I to am local.. live on Fletton Ave.. where Farrows used to be
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Sounds interesting. What is the address on Facebook?
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Hi Colin
I think if you put in Old Fletton - local history it should come up, not sure if the link will work
www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Fletton-Local-History/225304757565822
my dad grew up with his brother down Princes Road, so in the forties and fifities and his knowledge that he has is fab, so thought I would share it on facebook
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Interesting stuff, I'm a relative newcomer I've only lived in the Peterborough area for 40 years :) Most of it in brick making areas though, initially Whittlesey and Eye for the last 30 years (although the works are long gone here). I've liked the page on FB.
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Thank you, I only started the page yesterday afternoon :) I remember the brickyards myself and meeting my grandad from the one behind where the library used to be, and being told that the swearing was a special code that they all spoke in!
Like I said dad knows so much, he can tell me who lived in nearly every house down Fletton Avenue from Princes Road to town, and it just seem a pity to share what he does know..
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Hi
I have not looked at the fb page in detail yet but it looks fascinating.
I am currently doing post graduate research about Fletton 1841 to 1901 concentrating on the railways and brick industry so any info I find is excellent supporting information.
Where do you live in Fletton? I am on Fletton Ave opposite the church.
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Tes I do live in Fletton and on Fletton Avenue as well .. I live opposite the shops near Springfield
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Hi, I'm just starting to research the area myself especially Phorpres House, was wodering if any of you have any information that hasn't been posted here...