Oct 2025 History of the textile industy in Wales & report on Newtown trip
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2025 8:55 am
The speaker for the society's meeting on October 20th, Chair Hilary Harrison gave an excellent talk on the history of the textile industry, highlighting Wales. She came to the subject with a lifetime's experience and enthusiasm for the subject.
From the introduction of sheep by the Romans to the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth Hilary told the story of the development and manufacture of woollen textiles. Unlike other major UK centres, namely the large mills of Lancashire, Yorkshire and lowland Scotland, production in Wales was largely based around cottage industry. Many of these scattered centres were situated in north and west Wales and are identified by Welsh names beginning with Pandy. She named local examples. Hilary gave a detailed account of the manufacturing processes and passed around various textiles from felting and nettle to luxury items such as cashmere, angora and paisley. She also referred to international markets, including that of providing a large supply of flannel clothing to slave colonies in the Americas. The talk finished with an illustrated history of Welsh costume and was enhanced by a collection of late Victorian and Edwardian examples contributed by member Clare Hadwell. An interesting discussion followed and Hilary and Clare were thanked.
After the break Secretary Quentin Deakin gave a brief on the recent trip to Newtown, including a visit to the textile museum, which was enjoyed by all. He also gave a presentation, summarising the subjects already covered by the society since its formation and looked forward to next season's choices. He asked for any further topic suggestions to add to those already made for the next season starting in May 2026.
From the introduction of sheep by the Romans to the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth Hilary told the story of the development and manufacture of woollen textiles. Unlike other major UK centres, namely the large mills of Lancashire, Yorkshire and lowland Scotland, production in Wales was largely based around cottage industry. Many of these scattered centres were situated in north and west Wales and are identified by Welsh names beginning with Pandy. She named local examples. Hilary gave a detailed account of the manufacturing processes and passed around various textiles from felting and nettle to luxury items such as cashmere, angora and paisley. She also referred to international markets, including that of providing a large supply of flannel clothing to slave colonies in the Americas. The talk finished with an illustrated history of Welsh costume and was enhanced by a collection of late Victorian and Edwardian examples contributed by member Clare Hadwell. An interesting discussion followed and Hilary and Clare were thanked.
After the break Secretary Quentin Deakin gave a brief on the recent trip to Newtown, including a visit to the textile museum, which was enjoyed by all. He also gave a presentation, summarising the subjects already covered by the society since its formation and looked forward to next season's choices. He asked for any further topic suggestions to add to those already made for the next season starting in May 2026.