John Smedley (brand) facts for kids
John Smedley Ltd is a super old and fancy clothing company from England. They make really nice knitwear, like polo shirts and sweaters, for both guys and girls. Every piece of clothing they make has a special tag that says "Made in England."
This company has been a family business since way back in 1784! That's over 200 years! Today, the 8th generation of the Smedley family is in charge. For a long time, four different men named John Smedley owned the main factory, called Lea Mills, near Matlock. The most famous one, John Smedley (who lived from 1803 to 1874), is often thought of as the person the brand is named after.
John Smedley clothes are sold in more than 30 countries around the world. Their biggest customer outside the UK is Japan. In the UK, you can find their clothes in special sections inside stores like Flannels and Fenwick.
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The Company's Long History
Lea Mills, the main factory, was started in 1784. It was founded by Peter Nightingale and John Smedley (the father of the more famous John Smedley). Peter Nightingale was related to the famous nurse Florence Nightingale.
The factory was built on a hill next to a small stream in Lea Bridge. The stream was super important! It helped clean the yarn (the thread used for knitting) and also powered the machines in the factory.
Early Days: Cotton and Hand Looms
At first, the mill mostly made muslin fabric. They also spun cotton thread. This thread was then sent to local homes where people used hand frame looms to weave it into cloth.
By the end of the 1700s, the company started doing more. They began knitting and making hosiery (like socks and stockings). Some people even say this is where "Long Johns" (long underwear) got their start! Around this time, John Smedley (the father) was running the business by himself.
A Factory That Never Stops
Guess what? Lea Mills is still open and making clothes today! Because of this, John Smedley says it's the world's longest running factory that makes things. That's a really long time to be in business!
John Smedley Takes Over
John Smedley, the son, was born on June 12, 1803. He started working at the factory as an apprentice in 1819. In 1825, he took over running the mill from his father. He had big plans to make the business even bigger!
The factory had already started working with wool and had moved from just weaving to knitting. Young John Smedley wanted to make a huge variety of finished clothes. He didn't just want to make fabric anymore.
In 1847, he married Caroline Harward. She was the daughter of a vicar from Wirksworth.
Other Big Projects
As John Smedley became more successful and wealthy, he started other cool projects. He became very interested in something called hydrotherapy. This was a type of treatment using water.
He built a special spa resort called Smedley's Hydro in Matlock. People from all over the world came to visit this spa! He also built a huge and fancy home for his family called Riber Castle. It sits on top of a hill overlooking Matlock and is now a famous landmark in Derbyshire.
John Smedley passed away on July 27, 1874. After he died, the business was passed down to his cousins, John T Marsden Smedley and then John B Marsden Smedley. In 1893, the company officially became a "limited company," which is a type of business structure.
See also
Images for kids
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John and Caroline Smedley in their book on hydropathy. Credit: Wellcome Library
