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Thomas Sanders - currier and farmer
Company founded by his father, William Sanders

aerial view
An aerial photo of the High Street junction with Northampton Road c1940. Sanders Factory is the large building just above centre of picture.
It was built in 1882, following a fire.

Wellingborough News, 29th July 1882, transcribed by Kay Collins

EMPLOYEES' TREAT—The employees at Mr. T. Sanders' currier's shops held their annual summer holiday on Saturday last. About 60 sat down to dine in one of the large new warehouses recently erected by Mr. T. Sanders, the tables literally groaning under the substantial viands placed on them by the Committee. After dinner the party adjourned to a field adjoining the Rushden Moors, kindly placed at their service by Mr. Sanders, where games were played, and races run. At four o'clock the men were joined by their wives, sweethearts, and daughters, and a plentiful supply of cake and tea was much appreciated, and added fresh zest to the holiday. At dusk the party returned to the shop and had supper, after which dancing was kept up until 11 o'clock, when the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close. The health of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders was drunk with musical honours.
Note: The old warehouse premises were lost in the Fire in March 1882. Mr Sanders also suffered another fire at his farm.

Wellingborough News, 28th July 1883, transcribed by Kay Collins

EMPLOYEES' TREAT—On Saturday, between 60 and 70 of the men employed in Mr. T. Sanders' currier's shop had their annual summer holiday. A first rate dinner was served in one of the new warehouses by Mrs. Wright and Mrs. Wagstaff, under the superintendence of the following committee: Messrs. J. Nunnely, H. Caswell, F. Groome, S. Wagstaff, H. Wright, and O. Patenall. The expenses of the treat are for the most part paid by the firms dealing with Mr. Sanders, the latter gentleman very kindly giving the time, and great credit was due to the manager (Mr. W. Parker) for the interest he took in looking after the finances. The men had dinner and supper, and ale, porter, and tobacco were supplied ad lib. for all who liked, and spruce, &c., for abstainers. The weather being unfavourable for outdoor amusements, the company amused themselves indoors, and they proved quite equal to the occasion.

Wellingborough News, 8th August 1890, transcribed by Kay Collins

EMPLOYEES PICNIC—The men in the employ of Mr. T. Sanders held their annual summer outing on Saturday last. They assembled in a field near the moors where a substantial cold collation was provided by a committee of the men. After the dinner the health of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders and family was duly honoured, and a capital programme of amusements was provided, including an assault-at-arms, in which the "young 'un" was too clever for "Ralph," and "Midget" proved himself, after a merry mill, too much for "Buck." The "Bermondsey Sprinter" was knocked out of time in the 120 yards, and the boys at the new warehouse proved themselves too good for the old 'uns at football. The "old man" beat all comers at quoits and played up to his old form. The lads from Irthlingborough were to the fore in music, but at knife and fork, pitcher and jug, the race was very even and given in to be a draw by the most competent judges. Harmony prevailed until dusk, when the party broke up, having passed one of the most pleasant of their summer holidays. So well had the commissariat been stored that another half-day on Monday was necessary to get through the perishables.


poscard overwritten
This postcard of "The Sanders" machine has been over written with the letter (transcribed below), and it was posted on Sept. 8th 1904.

It tells us that:

'This Machine Requires No Fixing',
and has 'Simplicity, Durability,
Solidity and Efficiency.'

Sept 8th 1904

Walnut Tree Works,
Higham Ferrers

Messrs W E J Peabody
The Tannery
Olney
Beds.

D Sirs

We have several Drums for sale here & also one at Bedford if you would come & see them. We have also Iron work for 1 Drum.

If you could come over & see our latest improvement in grinding you would give us order for machine & could then put new Top arrangement on your machine for little if anything certain action & all dues from the top.

Walnut tree Works postcard

The business was taken over by Thomas Patenall

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