SOUND ARCHIVE

Living Linen Interview LL2_R00/11

Sound Recording : Magnetic Tape, Reel

Stevenson, Harold (Mr) (Primary maker)
Stevenson, Harold (Mr) (interviewee)

18/02/2000
18/02/2000

Sound Recording on Reel: Sales, RSO, York Street, Blackstaff, Irish Linen Mills, Irish Loom. Library Transcript: Transcript. Summary: The Stevenson family were involved in flax growing in the Moira area. The holding was probably in the region of 50 acres. Harry was educated in Lurgan, and later at Belfast Tech'. Harry spent a further period in London, where he took a course on selling to the fashion industry, while working for Blackstaff. Mr Stevenson's first job in the linen industry was with the Bessbrook Spinning Company - part of Richardsons Sons and Owden. Harry worked in their Lurgan, Lake Factory under Fred Brown. The Lake factory wove mostly cambrics and sheers. Harry was quickly moved to the firm's Murray Street warehouse, where he was in charge of apparel fabrics. Much of the firm's trade was in household linens, which were distributed in the United States through Lebanese companies. The dress fabrics were distributed through Bendix of New York. Harry joined the York Street Flax Spinning Co in approximately 1958. At York Street he was involved with the sales of lengths of linen cloth (as opposed to made-up goods) mostly suitings - destined for South America. Mr Stevenson only remained with York Street for a short period before moving on to Blackstaff in 1959. Harry was initially employed in the sales office where he provided back up assistance to travellers in the field. He was once again dealing principally with uncut lengths of apparel fabric. Blackstaff supplied large quantities of apparel cloth to Italy and North America, having their own office and warehouse in New York. After six months he moved to London with the company. From his base in London, Harry sold directly to garment manufacturers throughout England. Blackstaff were in direct competition with a number of other Irish linen firms who had permanent London offices. Harry returned to Belfast in the mid-1960s where he continued to work for Blackstaff in their product development department, and more specifically in technical and artistic design. Harry left Blackstaff in 1970 or so to take up a senior position with Irish Linen Mills - becoming Managing Director a year after he joined - succeeding Sam Nelson. Irish Linen Mills was effectively part of the Falls Flax Spinning Company. Irish Linen Mills sold a lot of suitings and handkerchiefs in the Americas and had agents in all of their major markets. Even as Managing Director, Harry did most of the travelling for the company outside of the U.K. and sold household linens as well as apparels. By the 1970s Irish Linen was suffering badly from overseas competition; being rivalled in quality from Western Europe and undercut in price from Eastern Europe. Harry also took part in a number of trade missions organised by the Belfast Chamber of Commerce. Harry remained with Irish Linen Mills, in the capacity of Managing Director, until the firm closed around 1982. When Irish Linen Mills closed, the order book was wound down and most of the plant sold off. Harry bought the remaining stock and set up Irish Looms, which is based in Edenderry. The firm is primarily involved in embroidering table and bed linens. They have retail outlets (The Linen Chest) in Newtownards and in Lisburn and do a lot of work through the American mail order catalogues. Their largest market is the Republic of Ireland where they support the European, American and Australian tourist trades. Harry was able to capitalise upon his sales experience and contacts in establishing Irish Looms, and retained some agents who had worked for him at Irish Linen Mills. Harry is still centrally involved with Irish Looms.

HOYFM.R2000.39

National Museums NI