Henry Venables Ltd lorry at the Stafford Pageant,

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Date:1986

Description:Henry Venables Ltd lorry driving along South Walls whilst taking part in the Stafford Pageant parade.

Henry Venables was born in Stafford in 1827 and started his business as a carpenter and builder in about 1855. By 1860 he had set up a timber business on Foregate Street, specialising in producing packing cases for shoe exports.

Soon after, he took out a lease on land at Doxey, and Rose Cottages were built which were the company offices until 1974 when new offices were erected. Later in the 19th century his four sons joined him in the business.

The company's reputation for high quality dry oak and Briitish hardwoods developed during the 1930s. A special joinery department made one-off commissions. After 1945 the company developed its technical advice service for architects and contractors. In the 1980s and 1990s Henry Venables Ltd had a number of major contracts, including the restoration of York Minster, the building of the Lantern Lobby at Windsor Castle, the Globe Theatre in London and the Swan Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon.

In 1999 the company was bought out by Henry Venables Products Ltd, with Tim Venables, a great great grandson, as Managing Director. In January 2000 the business moved to a new site on the Tollgate industrial estate.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1870s
Bridge Street, Stafford
Bridge Street, Stafford

View from Green Bridge towards Chetwynd House. Mr Jenkinson, a baker and confectioner, ...

1900s
Royal Brine Baths, Stafford
Royal Brine Baths, Stafford

In the 1880s a thick bed of salt was discovered on Stafford Common, during the search ...

1920s
'Yeti' Costume, Stafford Pageant,
'Yeti' Costume, Stafford Pageant,

Yeti costume with Lotus Shoes collecting tin photographed on Greengate Street. ...

1940s
Stafford Fire Brigade and Engine
Stafford Fire Brigade and Engine

Stafford fire engine and firemen. This fire engine is a Leyland FT4A Pump Escape, ...

1970s
Mercer's Saddlers Shop, Stafford,
Mercer's Saddlers Shop, Stafford,

Mercer's shop on the corner of Bridge Street and Mill Bank, established in 1910. In ...

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Image courtesy of: Bruus, C. Mrs

Donor ref:C. Bruus No., PT00598, img: 3413 (18/3716)

Source: Staffordshire Museum Service

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