Page 20 - The Long Crendon Connection

Redditch Heritage The Long Crendon Connection

The long Crendon – Redditch Connection

Redditch Needle-workers were recruited by the Kirby Beard Co to work in its Long Crendon factory
in the mid 1800's in an attempt to boost production and compete the the growing Redditch needle
industry.

Since the early I600's Long Crendon, a Village in Buckinghamshire, had been famous for its
needle making industry but by the end of the 1700's business was in decline and workers began
to drift northwards to settle in thriving Redditch- In December 1848 this trend was reversed
when Kirby Beard set up a factory in Long Crendon and recruited experienced Redditch workers
to build up production and help develop local skills Research has identified most, but probably
not all, of those Redditch recruits who were:-

Thomas Cooper
Joseph Williams
Charles Chester
Sarah Williams

Richard Stanley
Robert Haynes
Joseph Alcock

Charles Lewis
Eliza Haynes
Eliza Alcock
William James

Charles Spiers
Frederick Court
Nancy Spiers

Branden Laight
Ellen Laight
Charles Baylis
Samuel Hill

David Hill
Involved in the early build up phases were Thomas Cooper, Charles Chester, Richard Stanley,
Charles Lewis, Joseph and Sarah Williams, Robert and Eliza Haynes who appear to have stayed
in Long Crendon just a few years before returning to Redditch. William James and Frederick
Court, who married local girls, were also among the first recruits and stayed until the factory
closed in 1862.
Joseph and Eliza Alcock were also early arrivals and although Joseph died in 1855 Eliza and her
10 year old daughter Emma remained in Long Crendon until the factory closed.
It was in 1850 that Charles and Nancy Spiers were recruited, they settled had four children and
remained in Long Crendon until the factory closed. Branden Laight and his wife Ellen were also
1850 recruits and around 1853 Branden became foreman of the Stamping Shop but in 1858,
following a management dispute, the family returned to Redditch.

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