The company was officially founded by Thomas Fox in 1772, after taking over the family business. At this time, it is believed that the company employed up to 450 people in and around the area. During the Industrial Revolution in the early 19th century, the company brought the entire production process in house. With the wool sorting, spinning, drying and weaving processes all under one roof, the Fox family were able to exert more control over quality and increase production. Not only was the total production housed on one site, but ancillary crafts also took place at the mill. These included basket weaving, to produce the baskets used for holding wool and yarns; joineries, for the wooden requirements of the site; book binding, to produce record and accounts books; as well as metal forges and workshops, to produce and maintain the machinery.
At its peak the company employed nearly 5,000 people, owning and operating nine mills and factories in Somerset, Devon, Galshiels and Oxfordshire. From the late 19th century into the 20th century, production became increasingly focused on fabrics for the British military. During the Boer War, Fox Brothers developed the new serge drape mixture know as 'khaki', which eventually led to the demise of the British Army's traditional 'Redcoats'. During the First World War, Fox Brothers completed the largest ever single order for textiles: 852 miles of cloth supplied to the Ministry of Defence. This was used to make 'puttees' - spiral leg puttees were used by the military as a part of the regular soldier uniform.
Conversion of the derelict buildings stopped when the recession hit, and they have sat there since slowly falling in on themselves. In 2014 the mill was included in a list of the top 10 endangered historical sites in the country. Visited with Mr Sam and Mattdonut.
At its peak the company employed nearly 5,000 people, owning and operating nine mills and factories in Somerset, Devon, Galshiels and Oxfordshire. From the late 19th century into the 20th century, production became increasingly focused on fabrics for the British military. During the Boer War, Fox Brothers developed the new serge drape mixture know as 'khaki', which eventually led to the demise of the British Army's traditional 'Redcoats'. During the First World War, Fox Brothers completed the largest ever single order for textiles: 852 miles of cloth supplied to the Ministry of Defence. This was used to make 'puttees' - spiral leg puttees were used by the military as a part of the regular soldier uniform.
Conversion of the derelict buildings stopped when the recession hit, and they have sat there since slowly falling in on themselves. In 2014 the mill was included in a list of the top 10 endangered historical sites in the country. Visited with Mr Sam and Mattdonut.
