Industries of Whittington & Sheepbridge
Welcome to the Industries of Whittington & Sheepbridge
Today Whittington is often remembered for its churches, historic houses, coal mining heritage and association with the Revolution of 1688. Yet during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the district was also home to a remarkable variety of industries.
The articles presented in this series are based upon the Derbyshire Industries features published in the Derbyshire Times during the inter-war years. These illustrated articles provide a fascinating glimpse into the factories, workshops and businesses that employed local people and supplied products across Britain and beyond.
The industries represented here demonstrate the diversity of the local economy. Bread, cakes, pottery, engineering castings, fruit preserves and metal goods were all produced within a few miles of one another.
Together they reveal a district characterised by innovation, skilled craftsmanship and industrial enterprise.
Industries Featured in this Series
Part 1
Robinson & Sons Ltd.
New Whittington
Award-winning bakers producing over 15,000 loaves each week using some of the most advanced baking equipment in the country.
Part 2
J. W. Thompson Ltd.
Old Whittington
A modern bakery pioneering motor delivery, sealed bread wrappers and innovative vitamin-enriched bread.
Part 3
Midland Fruit Preserving Co.
Whittington Moor
Manufacturers of jams, marmalades and fruit preserves supplying markets throughout Britain.
Part 4
S. Sims & Sons Ltd.
New Whittington
Shovel makers, inventors and manufacturers of patented household goods exported nationwide.
Part 5
Pearson & Co. Ltd.
Whittington Moor
A pottery with over 130 years of history, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern tunnel kilns.
Part 6
Sheepbridge Stokes Centrifugal Castings Co. Ltd.
Sheepbridge
Pioneers of centrifugal casting technology and suppliers to the rapidly growing motor industry.
A District of Enterprise
The industries featured in this series employed hundreds of local men and women.
Their products included:
- Bread and confectionery
- Jams and preserves
- Pottery and stoneware
- Shovels and household goods
- Cylinder liners and engineering castings
Some products were sold locally, while others travelled across Britain and around the world.
