Glovers in North Devon

[Geordie daughter]

I will do! I'm surprised no one has yet done a detailed history of all the glove manufacturers in Torrington, not just Vaughn's, given that glove making was such a huge part of the local history of the area. There is plenty of material to make a very interesting reference book, and it wouldn't be that difficult to do potted biographies of all the major players using the info from census returns.

[billkent]

Hello 'Trees' long time no see, I have several friends in Torrington so thought this may interest you:  http://www.northdevonmovingimage.org.uk/glove-stories.html

[billkent]

This one may interest you too: https://www.facebook.com/northdevonglovingphotos/?fref=ts

[Trees]

Hi Bill, you managed to catch me on one of our trips away so was delighted to see your posts. what an interesting project wish we lived near enough to get involved. will keep an watch on what they fare doing Mant thanks for the links.

[Geordie daughter]

Trees, I know this link relates to a much later period in the glove-making industry in Devon, but it may be of use to you or someone else:
https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1929/mar/20/gloving-making-industry

Sir Basil Peto was the MP for Barnstaple at the time, and the Pilton and Newport Road glove factory premises in Barnstaple employed a fair percentage of the locals.

[Trees]

Many thanks Geordie daughter but sadly the link doesn't seem to work 

[Geordie daughter]

Oh what a shame! I'll see if I can unearth the web page again and copy out the details to post on here - it was only a short piece, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[Tickettyboo]

Oh what a shame! I'll see if I can unearth the web page again and copy out the details to post on here - it was only a short piece, so it shouldn't be a problem.

I had a look
the url seems to be
https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1929/mar/20/glove-making-industry

(glove-making, rather than gloving-making)

Boo

[Geordie daughter]

"Glove-Making Industry
Hansard Vol 226: debated on Wednesday 20 Mar 1929
Sir BASIL PETO
asked the President of the Board of Trade the production of leather and fabric gloves during the last quarter of 1928 and, for comparison, the corresponding figures for the last quarter of 1925; and whether he can give employment figures in the leather and fabric glove industries in the same periods?
THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD OF TRADE
(Mr. Herbert Williams)
Certain particulars about output and employment are supplied to the Board of Trade by the Joint Industrial Council for the glove-making industry, from which it appears that, as regards leather gloves, 102,020 dozen pairs were produced in the fourth quarter of 1925, and 143,087 dozen pairs in the fourth quarter of 1928. During the former period the average number of persons employed was 7,430, and in the latter period 8,774. As regards fabric gloves, in the fourth quarter of 1925 24,069 dozen pairs were produced, and in the fourth quarter of 1928 57,024 dozen pairs. The average number employed in the former period was 692, and in the latter period 1,266. The figures for leather gloves are stated to relate to firms which, in 1924, employed 88 per cent of the cutters in that industry. The data for fabric gloves for 1925 relate to firms which employed, in 1924, 88 percent; and those for 1928 to firms which employed, in 1924, 82 per cent of the cutters in that industry. The numbers of workpeople are inclusive of outworkers.
Sir B. PETO
Do I understand that it is reasonable to shorten this by saying that the result of safeguarding the fabric glove industry has been to double production and employment?
Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY
Will the hon. Gentleman say how much the wages have increased in that time?
Mr SPEAKER
That does not arise out of the question."