Pudsey to become known as ‘historic textile town’ thanks to new signs

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Brown heritage signs denoting Pudsey as an ‘Historic Market Town’ are set to be replaced by signs saying ‘Historic Textile Town’.

The change is the idea of Pudsey councillor Trish Smith (Cons), who says the ‘historic market town’ tag is factually incorrect and “misses the mark”. The council is set to bring in the new signs in November and Cllr Smith said:

“Since being elected, I’ve been working on righting that wrong and paying proper respect to our established heritage.

“I’ve worked with Pudsey & District Civic Society, council officers and my fellow ward councillors to ensure Pudsey can now retake its rightful place as an ‘Historic Textile Town’ – one of the foremost textile towns in the old West Riding.”

Cllr Smith said there are records of textile manufacturing in West Yorkshire, with the industry growing from the 13th century onwards, when textile manufacture was a simple but effective supplementary income to subsistence farming. She added:

“Textile manufacture is identified as the main source of income for two thirds of Pudsey townsfolk from 1700 onwards. Pudsey was part of the Coloured Cloth Region, supplying the economically important Leeds Coloured Cloth Trade, and also as far away as London.”

This export trade would grow to become a significant global concern. Of the 15 towns supplying the textile markets of Leeds, Bradford and Halifax – Pudsey was considered to be the main manufacturer.

Dedicated textile mills were built in the township from 1792 onwards, the last opening in 1962. A total of 32 textile mills were built and operated within the current Ward boundaries, this also required a large supply and distribution infrastructure. The textile mills were the main source of employment in the town for well over a century

A Woolsack and a pair of crossed shuttles adorn the town’s crest, reflecting its globally recognised textile traditions. Cllr Smith added:

“Currently we still have one of the original mills still operational in Stanningley, and exporting the highest quality material worldwide: AW Hainsworths hold a Royal Warrant and supply uniform cloth for both the Royals and the Guards Regiments.

“By comparison Pudsey Market does not have any historical significance for the town until well into the mid 19th century, when people’s lifestyles became less self sufficient and were being dominated by manufacturing industries.

“Whilst very important to the way we see Pudsey today, our market has never enjoyed the regional significance of other local town markets such as Otley, Morley and Wetherby.

“Pudsey’s high street and market played a big part in supporting the community during the recent lockdown, and remains a vital resource for many. Although Pudsey market was initially borne out of necessity, we need to continue to support it to ensure it thrives for years to come.”

Information sources: – all in association with Pudsey & District Civic Society; Map from ‘Pudsey’s Mills – A Lost Textile Heritage’ Ruth Strong  2014 ‘Pudsey’s Mills – A Lost Textile Heritage’ by Ruth Strong  (2014) ‘The Making of a West Riding Clothing Village’ by Ruth Strong  (1999) ‘The Hainsworth Story’ by Ruth Strong  (2006) ‘History and Antiquities of Pudsey’ by Simeon Rayner (1885) ‘Letters to the Young on Progress in Pudsey During the Last Sixty Years’ by Joseph Lawson (1887).

1 COMMENT

  1. […] There were several mills in the area. The mills worked firstly on wool and later on cotton. The cotton shortage which happened during the American Civil War would have an impact on the local millers and weavers. Fortunately, the area consistently produced woven wool, allowing a steady income for all involved and avoiding the riots which happened around England as a result. From the 1700s onwards, Textile production was the main income for 2/3 of the town. Due to this reliance on fabric, the town has acquired the status of a historic textile town. […]

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