Title: Commerce: Sawmills
Level: Series
Ref No: C/S
Extent: 9 boxes; 3 volumes
Dates: 1901-1981

History: In 1932, the Forestry Department was separated into two, Woodlands operating under the Dartington Hall Trust, and Sawmills operating under Dartington Hall Ltd as a commercial enterprise under the management of George Turner. The Sawmills Department consisted of the main mill at Shinner's Bridge, two firewood mills at Dartington (Huxhams Cross) and Kingswood, a mill at Clifford Hill, a carpentry shop producing Rex Gardner's garden furniture, and garden products, and a turnery shop producing table ware.

In 1937, P H Taylor succeeded George Turner as manager. The Sawmills Department was limited by its distance from the principal markets and the cost of transport. The Sawmill's main function therefore was the production of low grade timber to satisfy local demand and the demand of the carpentry and turnery shops. In 1939 the outbreak of war brought large orders from the Ministry of Supply and war time prosperity. In 1940, P H Taylor joined the armed services and was replaced by E G Clake as departmental manager and K Hobbs as mill manager.

In 1946, the manufacturing of all furniture and articles by the carpentry and turnery shops was handed over to a newly established Woodworking Department. The Mill was to concentrate on manufactured products, in particular the Lamda chair. The Lamda chair was originally designed by architect Robert Hening and artist Hein Heckroth. The suspension was designed and patented by Hiram H Winterbotham who later handed over the patent to Dartington Hall Ltd. A recession in the timber trade in 1952 led to the carpentry and turnery shops being taken back from the Woodworking Department.

In 1959, The Dartington Hall Trust went into partnership with F J Reeves and Co to form a new company, Dartington Sawmills Ltd.,leasing the Mill properties and equipment from Dartington Hall Limited. In 1981, Dartington Sawmills Ltd went into members' voluntary liquidation.

Description: The commercial records of Dartington Hall Ltd Sawmills Department and Dartington Sawmills Ltd relating to its formation, management, development, manufacturing and commercial activities.

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