Rushden Research Group: Groome Abraham & Sons Biographical 1916

Abraham Groome & Sons


Mr G H Groome	The new factory

Lieut A O Groome

The late Mr Abraham Groome founded the business in 1850. He began in a very small way in the Backway, “Hind Style”, Higham Ferrers. There were only two small rooms, but the business flourished, and in 1866 he removed to High Street, Higham Ferrers, where the concern was carried on until the year 1889. A new factory was then built on the one-floor system at Rushden in the year 1890. Mr George Henry Groome and Mr William Alfred Groome were taken into partnership, and subsequently Mr Albert Owen Groome was included. The business has been successfully conducted in the present premises since the above date, and all through the firm have stood for Sound, Reliable Footwear. They have a factory fully equipped with the latest appliances and produce fine goods for Home and Export. They are well and favourably known in most Foreign and Colonial Markets, particularly at the Cape and India. The shipping trade is a large part of the firm’s business, but whether for home or export Messrs A Groome & Sons produce a good article and conduct their business on upright, honourable lines. At the moment they are mainly engaged on Government work, but when peace once more holds her sway they will be found as alert and energetic as ever in providing for their large and growing clientele.

A member of the firm Lieut Quarter-master A O Groome, has been serving his country at the Cambridge Military Hospital since August 1914.

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Hazelwood

George Sanders - employee

Wellingborough & Kettering News 18/01/1889, transcribed by Peter Brown

Narrow escape—On Monday morning, as the men in the employ of Mr. A. Groome were waiting for the signal to commence work, several of them went to the front of the boiler to warm themselves, and a few minutes before time as four or five were leaning against the front of the boiler there was a crash and they were deluged in steam and warm water. It appears the boiler was emptied on Saturday and the plate at the mud hole was not properly secured, and as the water warmed and expanded, it forced off the plate, but fortunately the water was not hot enough to scald, or the consequences might have been serious, as several of the men had a drenching.

Rushden Argus, 7th March 1890

To Builders
Persons who wish to Tender for a SHOE FACTORY to be erected on Rushden Hill, Rushden, for Mr Abraham Groome, of Higham Ferrers, must kindly send in their names to my Office not later than noon of Friday the 14th inst.

J E Cutlan
Architect &c.

The first steam boiler installed at
A Groome & Sons - when they traded behind No 5 High Street, Higham Ferrers

Extract from Council Meeting Dec 1913

Messrs. Groome and Sons’ Cottages - The Inspector also reported that he had seen Messrs. Groome and Sons with regard to the laying on of the town water to their cottages in Oak-street, but as yet nothing had been done. It was resolved to recommend the Council to serve a notice on Messrs. Groome requiring them to provide an adequate and proper supply forthwith.


Groome's Factory (blue) Kilburn Place (green)	Oak Street factory taken after WWI - was later H W Chapman's

Rushden Echo, 5^th September 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins

Factory Outing—About 70 of the staff and employees of Messrs A Groome and Sons Ltd., had and enjoyable outing to Wembley on Saturday. They left Rushden at 6.30 in three charabancs supplied by Mr George Robinson, and after a pleasant run and 30-minutes halt at St Albans, Wembley was reached at 10.45. The party went sight-seeing through the exhibition in small groups. Several of the trippers, members of the Rushden branch of the Kettering and District Boot Foremen’s Association, joined the 300 students from various parts of the country attending the Boot and Shoe Convention at the Marylebone Hotel, addressed by Sir Edward Penton and Ald. J. Bostock. The London section, with the assistance of the Cordwainers’ Association and others, entertained the provincial visitors to luncheon at the hotel. Later on the Rushden members rejoined their fellow-workers at Wembley. The principals of the firm Messrs. Groome and Sons contributed very generously to the cost of the outing. The secretarial arrangements were admirably carried out by Mr Edwards.