PenDelfin has been with us for more than fifty years, and the members Family Circle more than ten. It seems such a long time ago, and the company has change a great deal from the wooden hut days of 1953. To really give us a full appreciation of what PenDelfin is, and what it has achieved we need to go back to the 1950s, where the PenDelfin dream began.
Select a time period:
1950
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The year is 1950; economically England is changing a great deal. For one young Jean Walmsley Heap, it is a great time. Already involved in the publication of some successful books, Jean meets and becomes good friends with Jeannie Todd at the Burnley Artists� Society Autumn Exhibition.
1953
- The very first PenDelfin (The Pendle Witch) is created in a small wooden hut in the back garden of Jeannie Todd's house. Overlooking the hut is the famous Pendle hill, which incidentally is where the name PenDelfin is derived.
- The second PenDelfin is created; entitled "The Fairy Shop", it�s a 3d picture in deep relief.
- Later that year the pair move to a small lock-up in the old mill village of Harle Skye.
- PenDelfin has arrived!
1954
- As the staff count for PenDelfin grows, so does the problem of management. This is solved when Doreen Noel Roberts, (also known as Dorian) joins PenDelfin. Her primary role is to take charge of the PenDelfin staff.
1955
- PenDelfin encounters its first major move. The lock-up has become too small so a larger premise is required. The move to the old Co-operative seems ideal, as its larger and has a lot more space for storage.
- PenDelfin exhibits its range for the first time at the International Trade fair in Blackpool.
- PenDelfin receive their first professional order costing £10. Greta Godbold makes this possible. Later she and Mr Davenport ("Dav") would become PenDelfin's sales force.
- The first member of "the family" is created. It�s none other than father.
1956
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The first edition of �The family� is sold, much to the relief of Jean and Jeannie; this launches the success of the rabbit models.
1958
- Another move this time to Oxford Mill. This new premises boasts extra space, offices and more storage capability, ideal for PenDelfin as it becomes more and more successful.
1961
- The stay at Oxford Mill is short lived, as it is subsequently sold in early 1961. Again the hunt begins for a new home for PenDelfin, which finally ends when Brennard Mill is discovered. PenDelfin would stay here for the next 12 years.
1962
- �The Pooch� is released. What makes this model so special is that it�s the first of many models created by Doreen Noel Roberts.
1964
- Bridgman Importing places PenDelfin's first overseas order. In the following year R.E Bridgman meets the PenDelfin team. He assists in PenDelfin's first export venture, and is later appointed as Export Director.
1968
- PenDelfin avoids numerous merger attempts and instead is declared a limited company.
- Jeannie breaks her hip in a nasty accident. Her subsequent replacement is Arthur Morley. He revolutionises the casting process by introducing a machine, which pours the casting mixture into the mould in a vacuum environment. This results in a denser product, as it is completely void of air bubbles, contrary to some previous models exhibited.
1972
- With the success of the casting process Mr Morley is appointed as Director at PenDelfin.
1973
- The PenDelfin studios are again moved. This time to Cameron Mill, which has been half bought to celebrate 20 years of PenDelfin.
1974
- Jean endures the tragic loss of Jeannie Todd who dies from spinal cancer.
1975
- Following the loss of Jeannie, Arthur Morley is appointed Manager Director, and to replace him, Doris Simm is appointed as Director.
1976
- Jean takes time away from PenDelfin. An old welsh farm called Penllech is bought. Situated in the middle of the Lleyn Peninsula, it provids an ideal environment for Jean to work on new ideas.
1986
- Cameron Mill is set alight, destroying much of the PenDelfin Empire. A lot of PenDelfin's history was lost along with priceless models. It was a tragic day for all PenDelfin staff, although, thankfully, no one was injured. Subsequently as part of PenDelfin's recovery the other half of Cameron Mill is bought.
- In Remembrance of this tragic event Victoria was created. It was the only PenDelfin piece released that year.
1989
- The farm in Wales is sold and a new studio is bought, situated in a small town between Morecambe Bay and the Lake District.
1992
- The PenDelfin Family Circle is launched, much to the delight of the many PenDelfin collectors. The first membership gift is Herald, while the first exclusive model is Bosun.
1999
- A new designer joins; Tony Green. His first models, Captain Musket and Private Patch are released the following year.
- PenDelfin.co.uk is launched, giving PenDelfin a web presence. This is reflected in the changed Boswell image in the following newsletters.
2002
- Celebrate 10 years of the Family Circle. The model Dec&Ade is released in celebration of a memorable ten years.
- Dot Com, a model inspired by the changed Boswell image in the newsletter is sold at auction for around £6000. Making it one of the most valuable models ever created.
2003
- 50th Anniversary of PenDelfin. This landmark is celebrated with the creation and subsequent release of Jubilee Theatre.
2004
- Another move, this time to a small industrial unit in Briercliffe. This is due to the changing markets, which has forced some changes to be made within PenDelfin. The new premise is opposite the old Co-operative of 1955, showing PenDelfin has gone full circle.
- The PenDelfin shares are transferred to Collectables, a leading giftware trader in the North East England and a customer of Pendelfin.
- Later this year PenDelfin gain another upcoming designer. Her name, Raewyn Greggain, and her first line is named "Toddler Trouble" to be released in early 2005.
2005
- Pendelfin launches its fantastic new website!