Local History

The completed book traces the Seddon company's routes from humble beginnings in Lancashire in 1897 to its present status as a major national employer.

However, the story really starts in North Staffordshire - with the registration of Seddon (Stoke) Ltd – now J & S Seddon Ltd -  in the Potteries in 1957. And from there we date the company's 50-year anniversary.

Shaping the landscape

Many fascinating facts were unearthed during research for the book.
The Lancashire company became interested in Stoke-on-Trent after getting involved in a house building contract in Meir in 1935.
In fact, one of the roads was named 'Seddon Road' in honour of the builder and remains to this day as a lasting reminder.

A major breakthrough for the company in the Potteries came with the award of a contact to build 1,100 homes at Chell. However, building was halted and the contract cancelled with only 100 homes complete when the Second World War broke out.

Flats in Bucknall (Stoke on Trent)

After the war, Seddon went on to build housing estates at Beasley and Bradwell in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Blurton and Bentilee in Stoke-on-Trent.  So it is no exaggeration to say that the company helped shape the modern landscape of North Staffordshire.

That is still continuing today and Seddon has recently completed work on the new Bentilee Neighbourhood Centre.

Close-knit

The Seddon story is not just about the company’s directors and executives or the Seddon family, it is also noteworthy just how much is owed to the contribution of the workers who make the company tick.
The social history and the characters are just as important to the Seddon story as the bricks and mortar.

Many former workers were tracked down for inclusion in the book including Hazel Taylor, who worked as an administration assistant for the company during war time, and can remember projects such as the building of Nissen huts in Hassall Green, near Crewe.

Seddon is still run as a company and this feeling also extends to the workforce. Recent records show more than 40 people working for Seddon have relatives in the company with many being father and son relationships.

Also, many of the senior management at the company have worked their way up from the shopfloor, reflecting the family values of the organisation.

A pleasure to write

Dipping into the lives of those who have built this company up really was a privilege. The book was a pleasure to write!

A copy of the book has been given to each member of the workforce; but it is now on general sale for £7.50 with all proceeds being donated to the North Staffordshire Heart Committee.

Copies of the book are available from www.seddonstoke.co.uk or Picture Book bookshop in Leek.