Subtitled 'A History of Rippers Joinery Manufacturers of Castle and Sible Hedingham'
Published by the authors in 2014, 224 pages. (N7388)
From the rear side cover: This book is about Rippers Limited, a joinery company which was started by three brothers in the 1890s that grew into a major employer in north Essex. It includes the hardship of the early days and gives an insight into how the company expanded, the products they made and the buildings where Ripper woodwork was used. A variety of wooden products were manufactured to help the war effort in the Boer, First and Second World Wars. It shows how the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway played an important part in Rippers development, the industrial buildings within the factory and the housing which they built for their workers. There is a history of the Ripper family and numerous references to the employees who worked for them. The book includes George Evans and Sons Limited later Evans Bellhouse Limited and William Kay (Bolton) Limited, two northern companies which they acquired. Chapters include:
The Ripper Family
Ripper Brothers at Castle Hedingham and Cambridge
A brief history of Ripper's Joinery Works
Other Directors and Company Secretary
Industrial Buildings
The Power House and Plant
The War Years
Fires and Firemen
Transportation by Road, Rail and Ship
Process and Products
The use of Products in Buildings
Exhibitions and Festivals
H.R.H. Princess Marie Louise visits Rippers
Patents
The London Offices, Logos and Letterheads
Industrial Housing
Employees
Work and Play
Long Service and Retirement Awards
Unions and Friendly Societies
George Evans & Sons Limited, later Evans Bellhouse Limited
William Kay (Bolton) Limited
Bowater Ripper Limited and subsequent Companies
Appendix 1: Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers - Castle Hedingham Branch - Members 1916 to 1970s
Appendix 2: List of buildings where Rippers supplied the woodwork
Appendix 3: Machinery
The condition of the book is generally very good. The covers are clean and bright, the spine is tight and intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound.