SOUND ARCHIVE

Title: Living Linen Interview LL2_R02/29 1 of 2
Object Name: Sound Recording : Magnetic Tape, Reel
Maker: Seawright, Linda (Miss) (Primary maker)
Seawright, Linda (Miss) (interviewee)
Date Made: 11/04/2002
11/04/2002
Description: Sound Recording on Reel: Seawright Douglas. Library Transcript: Transcript. Summary: Seawright Douglas was founded by Linda's great-uncle James Seawright in partnership with Henry Douglas. James Seawright was succeeded by Linda's grandfather William John in 1909 The Douglas family share was bought out in 1920 on the death of Henry Douglas and the firm remained in Seawright hands until it closed. Miss Seawright’s father – Walter – joined the business in the 1930s and, under his stewardship, the firm expanded considerably. Miss Seawright joined the family firm in 1970. The Avenue Rd factory was purpose-built. When Miss Seawright's father's health declined she assumed responsibility for running the company and eventually succeeded her father as MD. Miss Seawright was the only woman to have run a sizeable textile business in NI. She was also the first lady to sit on the Belfast Junior Chamber of Commerce. Seawright Douglas specialised in handkerchief manufacturing. In earlier years they had also produced fancy pillow-cases for babies' cots until medical opinion contraindicated the use of pillows. No pillows - no pillow cases! They bought most of their cloth from Spence Bryson and Bairds. The cloth was ordered loom-state and delivered to Milltown Bleachworks. Milltown stored this cloth and delivered webs when requested. Frazer & Haughton also processed some cloth. Seawright Douglas also imported cotton from Lancashire and handkerchiefs from Switzerland. Although there was little demand for dyed linen handkerchiefs, the firm did have a successful line in coloured satin-bordered cotton handkerchiefs. Miss Seawright's mother was a designer and regularly visited the fashionable boutiques of Paris and Switzerland looking to match the bordered handkerchiefs with the new season’s colours. She was occasionally followed by representatives of rival firms. Seawright Douglas supplied many retail stores throughout the UK. They also supplied groups such as John Lewis and Selfridges and retained a London office. Their exports were largely confined to the Commonwealth and s Ireland. Seawright Douglas had two merchanting divisions: The Lurgan Manufacturing Co and Walter Seawright & Co. The gift and tourist markets were very important and business was very seasonal. Seawrights produced a range of handkerchiefs. Walter Seawright distinguished between `Showers' and Blowers'. The former being more elaborately designed and embroidered, and the latter, the utility item! Seawrights ordinarily bought in webs of cloth and after bleaching, cut the cloth, hemmed, embroidered, ironed and boxed the items ready for despatch. There was also a laundry on site. Seawrights employed up to 300 people. They also employed outworkers who embroidered, hemmed, ironed and boxed goods in their own homes. Hand embroidery was carried out up until the 1960s The workers took a great pride in their work and Seawrights were highly regarded for the quality of their produce. Working conditions were good and labour relations excellent. The firm owned 6 workers houses - 4 of which are still standing. Technology began to impinge on the embroidery and stitching trades, particularly where speed was concerned and the knock-on effect that this had on price. Overseas competition hit Seawrights badly. More recently, Seawrights began working on a commission basis and buying in finished articles. In 1999 the firm lost its 3 major customers and the decision to close voluntarily was taken soon after. Miss Seawright still owns the factory site and has let it out in small units.
Catalogue Number: HOYFM.R2002.65
Notes: National Museums NI

National Museums NI holds over a million objects in the collection, as well as this we manage the records and associated images for each object through a working database. The national collection has been almost 200 years in the making, and we recognise that thinking about collecting and collections has evolved over this time and continues to evolve. As a result, some of our records may contain language and views that we now consider offensive and unacceptable, for example, reflecting racist attitudes. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to reviewing and updating our records accordingly. Working with researchers, communities and academic partners we are learning more about the stories behind objects, and we are committed to sharing these with our audiences. We welcome feedback. Please email [email protected]