Friends of Woodthorpe Grange Park 2023
Alderman Charles Bennett
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“Was an example of how a poor lad with many disadvantages may raise himself”. Sent to work at Mapperley brick yards when only 9 years of age, and with no schooling, he became an ordinary workman, then a foreman, manager of the works of the Nottingham Patent Brick Company, a Town Councillor (28 years), Alderman and Magistrate. He was the moving spirt in the purchase of the land providing 800 allotment gardens on the Porchester Estate. He gave the land for the Wesleyan Chapel at Mapperley. He died in 1908.”
Charles Bennet, after a tough start in life rose to become managing director of the Nottingham Patent Brick Company yards taking over from Edwards Gripper and Robert Mellors. The company had a significant influence in the development and road layouts in Mapperley where the companies redundant brickyards existed. Many road names in the area were chosen or named after directors or former directors of the company. Charles Bennett’s name also appears on many planning applications in the Mapperley vicinity documented in the archives, after 1875. Alderman Bennett was the first of four generations of the Bennett family to be Managing Director on the NPBC yards. He built a house for himself a house, 745 Woodborough Road next to a row of brick yard cottages, the road in between is named Bennett Street.
745 Woodborough Road
Charles Lawrence Bennett, Charles’ son worked along side his father for many years, eventually handing over the reins to Peter Bennett, Charles Bennett senior’s grandson. Leslie and Jack, the last in the Bennett dynasty then took over the running of the company. The Bennett family remained in charge of the Nottingham Brick Company until the 1980’s. The fourth generation of brick makers remained in charge until after the move to Dorket Head. Peter Bennett opened the new brick making facility. Marley Brick Products PLC took over the company in 1989.
Clay Stealers to St. Pancras Station: A history of Nottingham’s Brick Markers
Jeffrey A. Sheard, 2011, page 73