Despite the loss of many historic mills, Northamptonshire nevertheless contains interesting survivors, including some mills of regional significance.  Today, the county is home to a substantial part of the nation's modern flour producing industry with both Whitworth Bros Ltd and Heygates Ltd having their headquarters here.

This talk covers the history from the 1700s and a little technology, including the first Walker lime works in 1776, the 1865 ‘cement’ works and its later development.  A 'competitor' – soon bankrupt and taken over; and the purchases of works in the 1930s and later takeovers.  Then briefly the later story into the 2000s.

The history of the Butlin family and their ironstone smelting furnaces at Wellingborough.  They were among the first to exploit the 'rediscovered' deposits of iron ore in Northamptonshire in the 1850s.

Our annual presentation by members of NIAG is expected, as usual, to cover a diverse range of topics. Members wishing to make a contribution are invited to contact the Secretary by email beforehand.

This talk will cover the life and legacy of Sir Philip Moses Manfield (1819-1899) who established the first factory footwear manufacturing business in Northampton and pioneered the use of machinery in boot and shoe production.  His contribution to the establishment and growth of the footwear manufacturing industry is intricately linked to the history of Northampton itself.

Based on the speaker's experience as an employee, the talk covers the evolution of the Plessey Company from its early years as an 'assembler of electronic components', to a research and development organisation developing new technologies based in Ilford.  The advent of the Second World War necessitated the company's relocation to Northamptonshire.