shoemakers /cobblers and i think cordwainers

[behindthefrogs]

Manfields were one of the major shoe manufacturers in Northampton right up to the middle of the 20th century when they became part of Charles Clore's British Shoe Corporation.  I seem to remember their factory was the one in Wellingborough Road near Abingdon Park.  I think they also had a nationwide chain of shoe shops.

They endowed one of the town's hospitals, Manfield Hospital which I think still exists today.  Certainly Cynthia Spencer House (Hospice) was in its grounds a few years ago.

David

[tazzie]

   Following on on I found this . I worked for BSC  for many years when the company traded the Manfield name. There used to be a small museum in head office in Leicester with advertising signs and posters. Cannot remember all of the ones they held but found this on another site.

 www.omnesamici.co.uk/Adverts/ManfieldShoes.jpg

                                Tazzie

[behindthefrogs]

A few bits of Manfield history in here

http://www.northampton.org.uk/history/history.htm

I was a bit surprised to learn that Manfield Hospital was once called Weston Favell House.  I used to live half way between there and Weston Favell Village.  They were about two miles from each other.   I thought Weston Favell House was what became the Westone Hotel.

David

[ezekiel]

Thank you everyone for the help re my Shoemaker's enquiry. I have learnt so much about it in the past day but wonder why Northampton centred around the shoe industry. Maybe leather was in great supply???
I guess one can ask the same about Nottingham and the lacemakers etc.
All very interesting!
Thanks again and now on to try and find out the puzzle with Mansfield vs Manfield.
Cheers from SA

[behindthefrogs]

I was taught at school that Northampton and Leicester were the centre of the shoe industry because a lot of the farming was based on cattle and there was clean water available for cleaning and tanning the leather.

David

[ezekiel]

Hi David...thanks for that info. I thought that it may be the case as you say. Lots of cattle so lots of hides and today we also have your yummy Leicester cheese - even here in Oz. ')
Does anyone know if I just address my letter to the Northampton Museum in Guildhall Rd, per the Industrial Section, would that suffice? Do they charge for enquiries?
Cheers
Julie in a getting hotter Adelaide

[behindthefrogs]

The address is:

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery,
Guildhall Road,
Northampton,
NN1 1D

Telephone: 01604 838 111
Fax: 01604 838 720
Email: museums [at]  northampton.gov.uk

When I last used them a few years ago there was no charge.  Forget about the Industrial Section bit, it isn't a very big museum.

David

[ezekiel]

Hiya behindthefrogs.
I actually found an E-mail address for them from a post somewhere way back in the beginning of this thread and sent off my querie last night. Thnaks for all the help everyone. Now I just have to wait and sea what happens.
Julie in a geting MUCH hotter by the minute Adelaide. [good thing I love hot days!]

[lucaduca]

Hi Geoff
Do you have a John warren and his family cordwainers of Stoke demeral in your tree?,his wife Mary nee Sangwin also listed as a cordwainer also his son John,
I have not been able to find them in 1851 census but they are listed in 1841
living on Marlborough st. he is my direct ancestor.
Best Wishes
Lucaduca