Papworth Industries
of Cambridge. Showrooms at Saracen's Head Buildings, Snow Hill, London, EC1. (1929)
of Papworth Everard, Cambridge. Showrooms at Great Portland Street, London, W1. (1947)
General
Originally based in Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire, Papworth Travel Goods owes its beginnings to Dr (later Sir) Pendrill Varrier-Jones, a social pioneer who founded the Cambridgeshire Tuberculosis Colony. The Colony was later to become the Papworth Village Settlement and the forerunner of the Papworth Trust. Varrier-Jones' vision was to create not just a hospital or rehabilitation centre for TB patients, but a whole community.
1917 The Colony began at Bourn, in Cambridgeshire.
1918 Varrier-Jones soon collected enough funding (£6,000) to purchase Papworth Hall, and the Colony moved to the village of Papworth Everard the following year. With the Hall went most of the land in the parish and, under Varrier-Jones' capable management, the Papworth Colony rapidly expanded. Although there were still many deaths from tuberculosis, the aim was to rehabilitate sufferers by providing treatment for them (surgery and 'fresh air') and giving them appropriate work.
When the Hall became too small, a new hospital was built, along with new homes for the TB patients and their families.
1930 Factory built to make work available to patients who were fit.
Automobiles
1947 Commenced coach building. Made 'Woodie' bodies for the Austin Countryman and later did bodies for the Green Goddess fire appliance
Leather Goods
1929 British Industries Fair Advert for Travelling Requisites and Goods of all descriptions in Hide, Morocco, Crocodile, Fibre and Vulcanised Fibre. Manufactures of Flaxite Trunks, suit and Attaché Cases, Ladies' Blouse Cases, Music Cases, Kit and Brief Bags, cheap Fibre suit Cases and Attaché Cases. (Leather Goods Section - Stand No. P.59) [1]
1930s Factory buildings were also constructed, to enable patients who were well enough the opportunity to work.
1947 British Industries Fair Advert for Pendragon Travel Goods: Valises; Overnight Bags; Suit, Attaché and Blouse Cases; Brief Cases; Folios and a wide range of Industrial and Travellers Cases. (Leather Goods Section - Earls Court, 1st Floor, Stand No. 474) [2]
Papworth Industries became a great financial success, expanding over many years under the trade-mark of 'Pendragon'. Industries included the manufacture of travel goods, carpentry, cabinet making, leather work, and printing.
1970s Pendragon Travel Goods evolved to become 'Papworth Travel Goods.'
1997 The brand was acquired by Swaine Adeney Brigg.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1929 British Industries Fair Advert 82; and p131
- ↑ 1947 British Industries Fair Advert 359; and p208
- [1] Papworth Travel Goods Website