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The
first Axminster, 1755
On Midsummer's Day 1755 Thomas Whitty commenced weaving on the first carpet to
be made in Axminster, Devon. Subsequently, when a new carpet was finished, it
was often carried through the streets of the town to the sound of the bells from
The Minster Church of St. Mary. The carpet would then be laid out across the
pews of the former Independent Church, now the United Reformed Church in Chard
Street for all the townsfolk to see.
Whitty fame spreads far and wide
Over the next few years the fame of Thomas Whitty and his Axminster carpets spread
far and wide. They became a byword for excellence that is still true today. Carpets
from this era continue to grace the floors of many royal palaces and country
houses not only in the UK but in many other countries of the world. Their presence
acting as a lasting memorial to English craftsmanship and enterprise.
Production ceases, 1835. Dutfield reintroduces
carpets, 1937
Although production ceased in 1835 with the bankruptcy of the original company,
the late Harry Dutfield reintroduced carpet manufacture back into the town a
century later in 1937. Bringing with him from Kidderminster a number of skilled
workers, Harry Dutfield sowed the seeds for the renaissance of the carpet industry
in Axminster just before the outbreak of the Second World War.
Second World War, 1939-1945
Carpet manufacture was suspended between 1939 – 1945 whilst essential items
including stirrup pumps, aircraft parts and camouflage netting were made for
the war effort.
Back to the looms, 1946
However, it was back to the looms with the cessation of the war and Harry Dutfield
quickly re-established the name of 'Axminster' as a quality product and once
again Axminster carpets began to cover the floors of the homes of royalty and
nobility throughout the world much as they had over one hundred years earlier.
A permanent memorial - the future
The work of both Whitty and Dutfield is a lasting memorial to English craftsmanship
and enterprise and it would be appropriate that a permanent memorial to their
achievements and contribution to our heritage be established in the town they
made famous.
The opportunity has now arisen whereby the old Whitty carpet factory located
in the centre of Axminster could be purchased to house a museum to commemorate,
not only the achievements of Whitty and Dutfield, but to recognise the part the
town has played in the total history of the UK.
Historically, there was a Roman garrison stationed in the immediate area and
the Fosse Way crossed the Dorchester to Exeter road close to the town.
The centre of the old market town is dominated by the Minster Church of St Mary
the Virgin, parts of which date back to Saxon times and more latterly in the
17th century the town gave shelter to the Royalists during the English Civil
War.
250th anniversary
In June 2005 a series of events were held to mark the 250th anniversary of the
manufacture of the first Axminster carpet. These included a specially commissioned
musical play highlighting the life and times of Thomas Whitty; the casting of
two new bells for the Minster church which were specially commissioned for the
occasion and named after the two great weavers, the 'Whitty' and the 'Dutfield'
bells; a Summer Ball and a Concert, culminating in a parade through the streets
of the town of a specially woven Whitty replica carpet which was presented to
the nation.
It was felt that these events provided a very appropriate starting point for
this project.
Details of the 250th Anniversary celebrations can be found by visiting the archived
Weavers' Tales website
 The Weavers' Tales archive |
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