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Article by Mavis Sharpe, 2008 |
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Rushden Heel Co Ltd. 1917 - 1999
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The Rushden Heel Company was founded in 1917 by William Childs, who, as most people who founded their own business, previously worked for the British United Shoe Machinery Co Ltd. It was started at the rear of 4 Griffith Street where the family lived - and moved to Park Place. Later [1927/8] they moved to the Old Windmill Club (in Windmill Road) and stayed until closure in December 1999. William's wife was Hester - the family all worked for the Company: Amy, who married Horace Sharpe, Ivy married to Don Whiteman, Nellie married to William Abington, then Bill married to Jessie nee Robinson, Eric married to Kath Colson, and Queenie married to Ben Ely. William Childs ran the firm until his death in 1945 when Bill and Eric became Directors. Horace Sharpe had been manager from 1923. He died in 1961 when Eric Sharpe (his and Amy's eldest son) became Manager until he retired in 1992- he started working there in 1938; a total of 54 years. His brother Bob joined in 1958. In 1973 Mavis Sharpe (Eric's wife) became Company Secretary and retired in 1992 with Eric. Bill Childs died in 1975. One of the things that the Heel Co did was to have lots of workers making heels at home - this did allow Mums to look after their Children and earn some extra money. In 1980/1981 there were hard times in the Shoe Industry - Eric Childs was in failing health - the firm was taken over at Christmas 1981 by Thos Ware & Sons of Bristol. Eric Sharpe became Managing Director. Richard Sharpe joined in 1988 and became a Director in 1989. Sadly due to lack of trade and the decline in the Shoe Industry the firm closed in December 1999. Although no longer a family firm, from 1982 the Childs family retained their interest through Richard Sharpe until it's closure.
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