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Information taken from a promotional leaflet
B Denton – B Denton & Son – B Denton & Son Ltd - Wilkins & Denton – Totectors Ltd

News & Notes

18 October 1873 - Northampton Mercury

RUSHDENAccident—On Monday week a lad named Arthur Willmot, in the employ of Mr. George Denton, shoe manufacturer, was working rolling machine, when his hand got between the cogs of the wheels of the machine, smashing his hand in a fearful manner.….


Denton's High Street factory - tallest building

Rushden Echo, 24th January 1908.

Shoe Trade Affairs At Rushden
Messrs. B. Denton and Son - Shoe Factory To Be Continued

  The shoe trade papers are a little premature in their announcements regarding the future of the firm of B. Denton and Son, boot and shoe manufacturers, of Rushden, but we hope shortly to be able to make a definite statement on the matter.

  Yesterday’s issue of the “Boot and Shoe Trade Journal” contains the following:- “We understand that a small company is about to be formed of Messrs. B. Denton and Sons, of Rushden, now in the hands of Mr. A. C. Palmer, as trustee, on behalf of the creditors of the estate. The directors are to be Mr. Edward Lewis, of Northampton; Mr. Thomas Lilley, sen., of London; Mr. Wilkins, London; and Mr. Brawn, of Rushden; whilst Mr. George Denton’s services are to be retained as general manager.”

  “The Boot and Shoe Record” says:- “We understand that negotiations have practically been completed for the take-over and continuance of the business at Rushden of B. Denton and Son, boot manufacturers. A well-known Northampton boot manufacturing firm and a director of an equally well-know Metropolitan limited company will control the destinies of the Rushden business under the new dispensation.”

  Messrs. C. and E. Lewis state that so far as that firm is concerned there is no authority for the statement in the “Boot and Shoe Trades Journal.”

  A representative of the “Rushden Echo” was this morning informed that the shoe factory is to be continued.  This is settled, but it is at present too early to give details.  Our representative has every reason to believe that Mr. Lewis and Mr. Thomas Lilley are interested in the business, but there is at the present time no authority for the statement that a company will be formed.

Wellingborough News, January 18th 1879, transcribed by Kay Collins

RUSHDEN - WORKMEN'S TEA
The clickers and machinists employed by Mr. G. Denton drank tea together in the National Schoolroom on Saturday. The meeting was a very pleasant one, and was much enjoyed by all who were present.
Wellingborough News, 20th January 1883, transcribed by Kay Collins

WANTED, a CLICKER on Men's Calf and Kip work, only good workmen need apply.-Apply, B. DENTON & SON, Rushden.

WANTED, LADS for Finishing-room.—Apply, B. DENTON & SON, Rushden.

Rushden Argus, December 1889, transcribed by Kay Collins

Denton and Son’s Benefit Club - Presentation—The annual meeting of this club was held on Thursday evening, when there was a very good attendance of members. Mr H Warren (treasurer) presided. From the report of the secretary (Mr Battle), it appeared the society had now been in existence ten years, during which time £141 8s had been paid to sick employees. During the present year a new departure had been made by admitting the female employees to full membership, their expenditure only averaging about 50 per cent of the contributions. This year, too, instead of joining the Band of Hope excursion, the donations received were devoted to the funds of the club, with the result that though the expenditure for sick pay had been the heaviest on record—29 members declaring on the sick fund, the amount paid in benefit amounting to £25 8s 6d—they had been able to declare a dividend of 5s per member, and left a balance of £5 10s as a nucleus for next year. The adoption of the report was moved by Mr Mackness, and in seconding this Mr J Jaques, who has been with the firm 36 years, said he had a pleasing duty devolving upon him, viz., the presentation to Mr Warren—who has been manager at the factory for 18 years—of a small token of their esteem and respect. The presentation took the form of an elegant hall clock, supplied by Mr J Carter, to which was affixed the following inscription: ‘Presented to Mr H Warren, by the employees of Messrs B Denton and Son, as a small token of their gratitude and esteem. Christmas 1889.’

Mr Warren was visibly affected, and thanked the donors most cordially, and said he should prize the gift very much.—The officers of the club were re-elected unanimously.

11 January 1895 - Northampton Mercury

Employees' Supper—The employees of Messrs. Denton and Son, curriers and boot manufacturers, of Rushden and Irchester —or, at any rate, those who belong to the Sick Benefit Club, and they constitute the bulk of the workpeople—had a very enjoyable time......


Rushden Echo, 14th September 1900, transcribed by Kay Collins

Action for Slander—Messrs Wilkins and Denton have, it is reported, issued proceedings against Mr. Haynes, of the St. Saviour’s Board of Guardians, for slander in respect of language used by him during a discussion as to the quality of the goods supplied by Messrs. Wilkins and Denton, as contractors to the Union.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 2nd March 1951, transcribed by Kay Collins

Denton's Party at Rushden
Employees from their closing factories at Kettering and Oundle, as well as from the main factory at Rushden, meant gay at the annual employees' party of Messrs. B. Denton and Son, Ltd., at Rushden Windmill Hall last day.

Over 350 were present, and there were games, dances and competitions to the music of Ted Riches and his band. Activities stopped only for refreshments and a short speech of welcome from the managing director, Mr. George Denton.


1950s
Top centre of this 1950s picture is John Cave and Sons Ltd, factory built in 1901, and later extended. The grass area below is the land of their 'Comonwealth Sports Ground'. Also in this view, bottom left of centre is the old open-air swimming pool.

Across the road from the sports ground is the factory of Wilkins & Denton (formerly Bignells) and near the bottom right corner is part of the Jaques and Clark factory.

At the bottom the railway track and the old British United Shoe Machinery factory, now occupied by Hunt's Printers.


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