Worcestervista

Pattern Shop at Hardy and Padmore 1903.
Wooden Patterns had to be made slightly larger than the required casting to allow for shrinkage. In the GKN pattern shop I had a special ruler to measure everything oversize. All the timber was well seasoned and sealed with internal battens to stop shrinkage.The H&P patterns were sold when the company closed. Max

In 1814 Brothers Robert and John Hardy from Scotland. began the Hardy and Company Foundry, they were joined in 1818 by Richard Padmore, in 1829 he was taken in to partnership to form the business known as Hardy and Padmore.
Robert Hardy retired in 1851 and returned to Scotland.
The company was owned in later times by the Southall family.
In 1967 the firm went into voluntary liquidation and the works closed.

The Southall family.

In admiring lovely old boats it is easy to forget they were created for the passengers enjoyment. In 1910 the Southall family are captured in a light hearted moment off the Lyme Regis coast on a paddle steamer.In reversed cap is Joseph Southall who ran the Hardy and Padmore Worcester Foundry and was a brilliant inventive engineer. He had a string of patents for improvements to oil, gas and hot air engines which were manufactured in large volume for supply all over the world.
On the left is Frank, in his Kings School Blazer, who was wounded in the Royal Artillery in the 1914-18 conflict and became Works Director and the older lad was Tom later Managing Director. My late wife Jocelyn’s Uncle Bill was Sales Director and travelled all over the world selling and installing Engines, and Stone Crushing and Sand Washing plants. Max.

Works director Mr Frank Southall with his wife and daughter Jocelyn, stand on the London Embankment in front of of their cast iron dolphin lamps. Max

Hardy and Padmores Original poster.

The inventive Joseph Southall patended a wide range of industrial oil engines from tiny hot air watchmakers lathe candle powered engine to larger rock and stone crushing machines.

Large type engine, Exhibit at Much Marcle Show.

Hardy and Padmore, Southall gas engine circa 1897.

Small Hardy and Padmore engine, with operator seen at Much Marcle Show.

Hardy and Padmore seat at The Commandery Worcester.

Hardy and Padmore doorstops.

The original patterns were carved by a Victorian Cathedral Stonemason in Worcester.

Boot remover made in cast iron at Worcester.