I found the water smoothed remains of a ‘white’ facing brick today whilst wandering on the shore.

This one was manufactured by Strakers and Love from the Brancepeth Colliery Brickworks in County Durham.

Strakers and Love had collieries at Brancepeth, Brandon, Willington and Oakenshaw. The partnership between Strakers and Love not only encompasses the collieries but also brick and tile works.

Indeed the transportation of the coal was also part of this concern. Joseph Straker owned an eponymous ship, sadly lost in 1875.

Strakers and Love despite being part of the Durham coalfield in the late 1800’s were headquartered in the Collingwood Buildings in Newcastle, and Joseph had took up residence in Tynemouth.