Grouts

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Grouts' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'Grouts' page

Appeal for stories

By Jasmine Dack

My name is Jasmine and I am the current Norfolk Museum Service trainee stationed at Time and Tide Museum. I am looking to gather stories and research about life working at the Grouts factory to create an education tool about Grouts Silk Factory. Any stories and photographs would be greatly appreciated. I am looking to expand the museums current knowledge of the Grouts factory. I am hoping to learn how the fabrics were made, what the working conditions were like, and how the factory influenced the lives of the workers. I am also interested in topics such as silk imports, child labour, and industrialization. Thank you for your time!

Captions:

Picture 1 - Grouts office in London showcasing printed scarfs, 1900-1909

Picture 2 - Grout Warehouse in London with manager Mr. H.R. Bately, 1900-1909.

This page was added by Colin Stott on 11/12/2023.
Comments about this page

I worked at Grouts in 1962 from School. We started as a battery-filler loading pirns into the shuttle magazines. i worked 2 shifts 6-2 and 2-10. There was a night shift but i left before i was 18. I was eventually trained to be a weaver with my own 6 looms weaving crepe bandages. We also weaved silk parachute fabric. My eldest sister worked there during the war and my youngest sister during the 50s. We also worked Saturday morning overtime cleaning the looms. I enjoyed the work as was so interesting. In days gone by they had silk-worms in a place later to be the silk mills pub just over the road from the entrance. I can tell you more if you are interested. 

By Barry Calver
On 15/12/2023

Hi Barry Calver,

I am definitely interested for any more information you have! Please contact me via my email Jasmine.dack@norfolk.gov.uk

 

 

By Jasmine Dack
On 19/01/2024

Further to my FB post, my mum (Muriel Claxton) worked there from 1954 to about ’56 or ‘57. She cut and rolled the crepe bandages. They would be woven in very wide sizes and she would have to cut them by hand (each bandage length would have a colour woven in it as a guide) then roll them up ready for packing. The factory was on the site near to where Sainsbury’s is now, close to Silk Mill road, where, coincidentally, another of my ancestors used to live. 
I understand Grouts also made the mourning clothes for queen Victoria. 

By Lisa Sills
On 29/01/2024
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