Roof tile wall

If you make roof tiles and you have damaged or otherwise superfluous examples that won't sell, and you need a wall, what is more reasonable than to make a roof tile wall. Or is it? The example seen in the photograph is at The Old Tileworks, the business premises of William Blyth, at Barton upon Humber in Lincolnshire. It isn't the strongest of walls, it lets the wind through, and it doesn't prevent prying eyes from seeing something of what is beyond. But, if none of these deficiencies matters then it is a perfectly serviceable barrier and certainly an eye-catching construction. I liked the contrasting and complementary colours of the sky, wall and broken tiles on the ground, with the weeds that are bravely establishing a foothold in this inhospitable location.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

The tile drying shed, Barton upon Humber

On the Lincolnshire bank of the River Humber, near the south tower of the Humber Bridge, is the Barton upon Humber firm of William Blyth. This company makes hand-made tiles and garden pottery at this location and has been doing so since 1840. These are made from the abundant clay of this area, and over the long period of its work clay extraction has created several large pools and reed beds by the river that are now havens for wildlife and a centre for dinghy sailing. Above is a long drying shed with rows of slatted shelves where clay tiles are placed to harden. It is a simple building designed to harden the clay in a controlled way by the careful adjustment of the plywood shading.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100