Emscote Mills

An Aerial View Of Emscote Mills c1930's "Robin Griffiths July 2011"

Compiled for the benefit of Warwickians and others by Anthony James Leahy

with special thanks to Edward Montague (Sam Nelson) Feb 2010

Service to Warwick

Nelson Dale’s proud record at home and abroad

The claim to be the oldest firm of manufacturers in Warwick is proudly and rightly made by George Nelson, Dale & Co Ltd., for sin 1837, when the business was founded by George Nelson and his brother-in-law Thomas Bellamy Dale, Nelson’s gelatine has been in continuous production.

The inspiration for the business came from George Nelson, who after studying chemistry, came to Leamington, and opened a chemist’s shop at 3, Union Parade. He later lived at Rock Mills, and whilst there took out the first patent for the manufacture of gelatine.

He was moved to experiment by a wish to improve on the centuries-old practice adopted by housewives for making jellies as a culinary delicacy by the troublesome business of boiling up calves’ feet, bones and stock, straining the hot jelly through a bag, clearing it with albumen, and, finally, hoping it would set neither too tough nor too weak.

George Nelson prepared the gelatine from hide, more particularly buffalo hide, which is rich in gelatine; clarified and dried it is so that a known weight of gelatine, when melted in a liquid, would set to the required consistency. He; therefore can be said to be the inventor of the table jelly as it is used to-day the world over.

The sale of the product increased very rapidly, and the firm removed to their present premises, Emscote Mills in 1841. At that time there were some lime burning kilns, lime being an important chemical use in gelatine manufacture, and also a plentiful water supply from two wells sunk 60-70 feet in the Warwick sandstone and connected by a tunnel 50 yards long through which once could drive a horse and cart.

All the liquid gelatine was poured onto glass slabs to set, and at one time there was nearly a mile of them, and, with the lime pits, drying rooms and other buildings, the factory covered over five acres. Since those days much mechanisation has been carried out; new artesian wells have been sunk, and the manufacture concentrated into a smaller area.

Nelson's Ladies from the 1930's

Phillis Townsend - Dorothy Anderson - Gwen Cox

New Development

In 1896 the Warwick Dry Plate Co was formed for the purpose of discovering the right type of gelatine for photographic purposes, and the late Mr Austin Edwards came to Emscote Mills to help with the foundation. For some years afterwards he manufactured at Emscote Mills on his own account, until moving his factory on the Kenilworth Road The knowledge gained by this enterprise played its pat in the growth of the photographic industry as a whole, which has expanded very rapidly over the past 50 years with the roll films and cinematographic film, the X-ray film, and now colour photography.

In their modern research laboratories, Nelson’s have an emulsion making plant where gelatines for all photographic purposes are tested and improved, and their various grades are known and used by all the world’s chief photographic manufacturers.

The emphasis at the factory is on the manufacture of photographic gelatines, although their proprietary brands and their well known gelatine lozenges are still made.

Turning back to the history of the firm and those who have been responsible for its direction, on the death of Mr Nelson in 1850, Mr Dale became the sole head of the firm. He took an active part in local affairs, and was three times mayor of Warwick. A philanthropist in every sense, he was connected with the principle benevolent institutions of Great Britain. He was instrumental in building Christ Church at the top of the Parade in Leamington. He took a great part in the sanitary improvements at Warwick; and in the adoption of the Free Library Act. He was a generous supporter of every useful institution, until his death in 1890, at the age of 82.

Emscote Mills Original Artwork by Barbara Wigmore 1987 (As featured in Emscote 1887 - 1987)

Meat Trade Pioneers

Mr George Nelson had five sons who survived him. The eldest Charles took over the firm Charles Nelson & Co Ltd, cement manufacturers at Stockton. The next George managed the gelatine factory at Warwick, and E.M. Nelson, afterwards Sir Montague, ran the London office.

In 1880 with the two other brothers, William and Frederick, who had emigrated to New Zealand in 1862, Sir Montague formed the firm of Nelson’s Brothers Ltd. which pioneered the frozen meat trade from New Zealand and Australia, and secured an enormous supply of cheap food for the people of this country and troops in the outlying garrisons. He was knighted by Queen Victoria in the year of her diamond jubilee “For services rendered in connection with the Australasian Colonies and as a recognition of the public service in the promotion of measures for the benefit of the community.”

On the death of Mr Dale, Mr G H Nelson became Chairman of the Company until his death at The Lawn in 1899. He, too, took a keen interest in civic affairs and was mayor for several years.

Sir Montague Nelson then left Hanger Hill, Ealing, where he lived and was the Charter Mayor, and came to Warwick and took over the Chairmanship until his death in 1919, at which time he was also Mayor of Warwick.

Fifth Generation

The eldest son, Mr Edward Nelson, became the Chairman and his eldest son, Alderman Guy Nelson, became Managing director in 1924. Mr Edward Nelson died in 1936, and Mr Harold Nelson, his brother, who was also Chairman to the Nelson Financial Trust, took over for a short period, but he died in the same year. Mr H Howe Graham who had been a Director of the Company since 1930 (and still remains on the board), then took his place until 1948, when he handed over the Chairmanship to Alderman Guy Nelson, who with his brother-in-law, Mr N C Adam, now manages the business, Alderman Nelson’s son, who is present in Nairobi in the Kenya Police Reserve, will be returning from Africa in September to do his National Service and after that will then be the fifth generation to enter this old firm.

The Long Service Board at Nelson's which shows the Firms pride in the good work of its employees.

Nelson’s have always taken a pride in the continuity of service of staff and employees, and in their welfare. Mr G H Ringrose, The Secretary of the Company, started as the office boy in 1914, and Mr Harry Wright, the engineer, who started with the Company in 1920, is the grandson of Tom Wright, who had completed 55 years’ service in 1900, and his father Jack, worked for the firm from 1886 to 1945. The photograph on the long service board, which was installed in 1925, shows that from that date alone there are 37 employees who have completed more than 50 years’ service.

Adjacent to the works the firm has built a housing estate for their employees, and also the Nelson Club, which was opened in 1881, and was one of the first of its kind in the Midlands.

Warwick and Warwickshire Advertiser June 5^th 1953

Nelson's 1950's

Nelson's Offices and Factory 1959

"Nelson's Offices & Factory - PH(N)600/776/21 reproduced by kind permission of the Warwickshire County Record Office"

Nelson's Laboratory 1950's

"Nelson Driver & Crest -  by kind permission of Edward Montague (Sam) Nelson". RH Image Lab Showing Frying cupboard, Melting Pots and Washers

Nelson's Transport 1950's - Brian Pheasey (Top Right RH Image)

"Nelson's Transport - PH(N)600/766/20 reproduced by kind permission of the Warwickshire County Record Office"

Nelson's Lorry-driver 1950's

"Nelson Driver & Crest -  by kind permission of Edward Montague (Sam) Nelson".

Beatrix Bastock - Nelson's Packer 1950's

"Nelson's Packer - PH(N)600/766/13 reproduced by kind permission of the Warwickshire County Record Office", etc.

Emscote Mills West Factories

Photography Edward Montague (Sam) Nelson.

Brian Jones's grandfather Gus Payne with Gwen Reynolds and Barbara Jones

)towards Bridge 49 (Demolished West Buildings

Nelson's East Factories

English Rose Kitchens from the canal East Buildings c1960's (believed WRO)

Rail Freight

I worked for the GWR and BR. from 1942-1985, in the Locomotive Department.

I am referring particularly to the years 1943 - 1947.

The only traffic for Nelson's that I can recall were the three or four wagons a week which we put in position on the back road of Coventry Road Goods Yard, for them to unload. The wagons were the standard open five plank type. These were about half full (probably cattle remains) of skins, guts and left over from slaughter-houses. In the summertime, the flies were most certainly attracted by the contents of the wagons!!

The wagons for Nelsons would have been brought to Warwick with other traffic and initially left in Cape Yard. A locomotive was booked to shunt and work in this yard from about 2.00 - 7.00pm every week day. During this time Nelson's wagons were tripped to Coventry Road. There could be other Trader's wagons for the goods shed.

The chief access to the yard was from Coventry Road, but there was also an entrance from Wharf Street which Nelson's used, making it a very short journey to their works. Nelson's men would arrive in a little open lorry and would have to make two or three trips before a wagon was emptied.

To the east of the goods shed are the cattle pens. We used position the wagons just north of cattle pens. Unfortunately the entrance from Wharf Street which Nelson's used is just off map. Where the figures 349 north of map, is the stone quarry.

I do not remember any traffic from Nelson's being forwarded, but if any, it may have been taken by road to Leamington Goods station.

Peter Chater March 2011.

Nelson Employees

GUY NELSON, LOL CLUFF, GEORGE COX( Phil Cox Dad) JOE COX, WALTER COX, MR WALSGROVE, MR SHEARSBY,

GEORGE UNDERHILL, TED LENTON, BEATRIX BASTOCK, BILL CLARK, FRANK COWLEY, RAY FRANKS

Nelson Employees outside the Nelson Club

Sam Nelson's 21st Birthday Party at the Nelson Club 

Nelson Employee Reunion (Can You identify anyone?)

Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee celebrations at the Nelson club 1977

JOAN & LOL CLUFF, ALAN & DIANA MANSELL, DENIS & SANDRA COX  & CHILDREN, JOHN & MARIE  GARLICK & CHILDREN, JOHN & WIFE & CHILDREN, JOHN & WIFE CLEAVER & CHILDREN, HEATHER CLUFF, ERIC & YVONNE GELFS, MRS WIGGINS, BEAT CLUFF (Was Beatrix Bastock)

Emscote Mills Plan added July 2011

Emscote Mills Plan added Feb 2012...from Sam Nelson's recollections.

The Nelsons

DVD

A Brief History of The Nelsons Of Warwick

Compiled for the benefit of Warwickians and Others by Anthony James Leahy

Compiled for the benefit of Warwickians and Others by Anthony James Leahy

 A Walk in Warwick

Book Wanted Handbook For The Breakfast Table

Book Wanted Wives and Housewives A Story For The Times

3 The Butts

PAT Portable Appliance Testing

Amber Leahy Graphic Design

Sky Blue Heaven