i6 
PROCEEDINGS COTTESWOLD CLUB 
1915 
The original tan-yard of “ John Halifax ” was bought and a factory 
for silk-finishing built on it about 1840. After a few years it was sold to 
R. Bolding, who re-opened it as a boot and shoe factory, calling it the “ Hali- 
fax Works.” After being closed for some time it was acquired by the Tewkes- 
bury Manufacturing Company (registered 1880), who sold it to Mr Jackson 
in 1886. Mr Jackson kept the Works until 1909. On 21st December, 1909, 
they were acquired and refloated by Mr Wilson, and in September, 1913, 
became the Tewkesbury Manufacturing Co., Ltd., and known as the Eagle 
Factory. 
The early trade of the town appears to have been confined to the com- 
merce in grain, flour and malt, which the inhabitants were enabled to carry 
on to great advantage by means of their fine navigable rivers. In the same 
year that the battle of Tewkesbury was fought it is on record that they 
petitioned Henry VI. to stop bands from the Forest of Dean plundering their 
boats on their way down the Severn to Bristol and elsewhere. 
During the time of the Commonwealth, gloves were largely manufactured ; 
worsted combing was carried on to some extent during Anne’s reign, and in 
that of her successor the clothing business flourished. Malting and home 
brewing were carried on on an extensive scale for some centuries, but now. 
Downing & Co. are the only maltsters in the place. A cotton thread lace 
factory was founded at least as early as 1817, and in 1825 these works — the 
property of Messrs. Freeman in the Oldbury — were considered highly equipped 
for that date. The industry did not survive later than 1850. ‘‘ Silk-throw- 
ing ” was done between 1840 and 1870. In 1870 the last firm — Iliffe’s — 
migrated to Coventry. The site of Iliffe’s factory is now occupied by the 
Picture Palace. 
Ropes were manufactured as late as 1832 in a long narrow space — now 
built upon — but still called the ‘‘ Rope Walk.” 
Nails were made by individual master-nailers, their wives and children — 
where Nailers’ Square and Nelson Street now stand — until about 1874, when 
machinery replaced handwork. For a short period two local tradesmen made 
pins with “ superlative solid heads and improved points,” and the trade 
enjoyed a boom ; but Beard & Co., who acquired the Works in 1849, soon had 
to abandon them. 
The chief industry in Tewkesbury during the 19th century, however, 
was that of stocking-frame knitting. In 1810 some 800 frames were at work ; 
in 1819, when the trade was depressed, 559 ; but in 1830, between 700 and 
800, giving employment to about 1,500 people — more than a fourth of the 
population. The industry has quite died out. 
That, in most respects, excellent Cambridge County Geography — 
Gloucestershire (1909), dealing with Tewkesbury (p. 148), states : — 
” Its chief manufactures are nails and leather goods ; there is also a 
small silk factory, and formerly there was much stocking-frame knitting 
done.” 
All these industries have long been dead. The principal ones now 
carried on are : — 
INDUSTRIES IN TEWKESBURY. 
1. — Building. — Messrs. Collins & Godfrey (general builders ; speciality : 
large buildings and private houses, church building and restora- 
tion). 
2. — Engineering. — («) Messrs. C. W. Jones & Co., Oldbury Road (agri- 
cultural engineering, steam, oil, and gas engines repairs, imple- 
ment making). 
