The West of England Cabinet Works were in Cornborough Place (Bristol Times and Mirror, 31 January 1920). The company was possibly formed in 1900, when the company put out adverts for cabinet makers and trades associated with making perambulators, including upholstery, painting and hood-making (Western Daily Press 30 November 1900)
1912 Apprenticeship to the West of England Cabinet and Perambulator Company
At the time of this indenture, the West of England Cabinet Company employed around 150 people, and was headed by H.J. Van Trump (d.1925, sometime Mayor of Taunton) and H.T. Humphrey. There was labour unrest at the factory in 1914 (Western Morning News, 30 May 1914).
This indenture witnesseth that Donald Thomas Richard Bagg of 13 King Square doth put himself Apprentice to the West of England Cabinet and Perambulator Company, Bridgwater Somerset to learn his Art, trade or business and with him after the manner of an Apprentice to serve from the 22nd Day of April 1912 for the full end and term of six years and from thence next following to be fully complete and ended During which term the said apprentice his masters faithfully shall serve his secrets keep his lawful commands everywhere gladly do he shall do no damage to his said Masters nor see to be done of others but to the best of his power shall prevent or forthwith give warning to his said Masters of the same he shall not waste the goods of his masters nor lend them unlawfully to any he shall not do any act whereby his said Masters may have any loss with his own goods or others during the said term without licence of his said Masters shall neither buy nor sell nor absent himself from his said Masters service day unlawfully But in all things as a faithful Apprentice he shall behave himself towards his said Masters and all his during the said term
And the West of England Cabinet and Perambulator Company agrees to pay the said Donald Thomas Richard Bagg the monthly wage of 3/- for the first period of 6 months and 6d per week more for the succeeding terms of six months each, and for each succeeding term of 6 months following until the completion of this indenture the monthly wage shall increase 1/- for each period.
And agrees to instruct his said Apprentice in the Art, trade or business of Cabinet Making, which he uses by the best means that he can shall teach and instruct or cause to be taught or instructed
And for the true performance of all and every the said Covenants and Agreements either of the said parties bindeth himself unto the other by these Presents
In Witness whereof the parties above named have hereunto set their hands and seals the twenty fifth day of April 1913 in the year of our lord one thousand nine hundred and [thirteen].
Signed sealed and delivered by the above named Donald Bagg in the presence of W.R.W Bag.
Pro per the West of England Cabinet and Perambulator Company Humphrys.
[witness?] Cyril Cuynew[?]
Indenture completed to our entire satisfaction pro per the West of England Cabinet and Perambulator Company Humphry 22/4/18
[Printed by] Warrington and Co. London
In 1922 there was a strike at the factory, which resulted in the cabinet making workshop being closed down (Langport & Somerton Herald, 23 December 1922)
1929 Invoice
It is not clear when the company folded. The company was listed in the 1935, 1937 and 1939 Whitby Light and Lane Directories in their alphabetical index of names, although the factory in Cornborough Place is noted as a wicker works under the street directory (for Wellington Road).