Llewellin Churn Works

The business was established by Thomas Llewellin (1765-1850), a cooper. He was succeeded by his son, George (1811-1879), who had a reputation for work of quality. His son John (1842-1907), excelled in the business, introducing successful new products and marketing them all over the world. Although a general coopering business, under John Llewellin the butter churn side became prominent.

The churn works was the town's largest employer in the early 1900's. As skilled workmen, the churn makers were well paid. A visitor to the works in 1896 reported that:

As the firm, I believe, pays a liberal wage they are entitled to the best workmanship. This, Mr Llewellin assured me, the firm were insistent upon so that scamped work is unknown within the premises.

The success of the firm was due to close and continuous study of the manufacture and improvements of its churns. Its products were successfully marketed throughout the colonies, notably in South Africa and Canada. The Triangular Churn was invented by John Llewellin, and won the Gold Medal and Champion Prize, at the Royal Agricultural Society Show at Windsor in 1889. It success was due to its capacity to produce butter of fine grain and even texture. The 'Eccentric' End Over Churn was also invented by John Llewellin, and won the Silver Medal at the same show. This churn eventually replaced the Triangular Churn. By 1896 the firm produced on average 100 churns a week. They held their place well in the market against some strong rivals including Listers of Dursley, Hathaway of Chippenham and Waide of Leeds.

John Llewellin's son, George Herbert Llewellin (1871-1946), continued to expand the works and, in the early part of the 20th century, a series of large factory churns and butter workers were manufactured. In the 1930's they were installed in most of the larges dairies in the country, from the Aberdeen Milk Marketing Board to West Cornwall Creameries Ltd. They were also sold in Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand and Argentina. George Llewellin was responsible for inventing the 'Victory' Churn which was launched in 1919, after much secrecy, at the Royal Agricultural Society Show in Cardiff. His sons, George Llewellin and A.J. Brit Llewellin carried on the business until its closure in 1966.

Llewellin's Churn works was located at North Gate, and occupied about an acre of ground. In 1896, as well as a stream saw mill, there were drying sheds (for seasoning timber), an open yard (packed with oak staves), workshops and showrooms. The buildings were demolished in 1987 to make way for the roundabout which links to Thomas Parry Way bi-pass.