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Business and industry

Dobson's of Elland

Sweet smell of success

Have you ever wondered about the sweet aroma drifting through the streets of Elland? Chances are that the smells emanate from the factory of Joseph Dobson.

The company was founded in 1850 and has been in the hands of the same family since then. Joseph, who had lost both of his parents in a York plague, learnt his trade as a confectioner in York.

Whilst living in York Joseph married Eleanor Berry who had family connections with the firm of Terrys. At the age of twenty-one, Joseph set out to claim an inheritance left to him by a relative in Elland. The inheritance comprised of money, land and property in Northgate.

Joseph and Eleanor went on to set up Dobson's, producing bride cakes, funeral biscuits and popular Victorian lozenges. These were known as conversation lozenges, which were inscribed with mottoes such as "Take Ye Not Strong Drink" and "Always Speak the Truth". They were scented with rose, vanilla or violet.

The business continued to thrive in Elland. Joseph and Eleanor went on to produce seven children. As a well-respected local businessman, the town was shocked when Joseph collapsed and died whilst running for a train. It fell to his children to take over the business.

His three sons took over the business in turn and by the 1930s the youngest, Thomas John was running the firm. Legend has it that it was Thomas John who was responsible for the creation of the famous Yorkshire Mixtures. The story goes that he was carrying trays of boiled sweets down the factory steps when he fell and the sweets landed in a colourful jumble! Yorkshire Mixtures are still produced today - complete with pear drops, herbal voice tablets and fruity fish.

In 1990, Yorkshire Television used the factory yard to recreate a Victorian slum as part of their drama series "How We Used to Live". Dobson's is about to be filmed again, this time by the BBC as part of a history of the confectionery business.

The present managing director is Tony Chadwick, grandson of Thomas John, who runs the firm alongside his wife. Their daughter and son-in-law have now joined the business - the fifth generation. In an interview some years ago, Mr Chadwick spoke of his pride in the family firm. At that time Dobson's were producing about 2.5 tons of boiled sweets per week. This has now risen to a total of 8 tons.

Dobson's|  attracts over 6,000 visitors each year. It is possible to make bookings for groups to visit the factory and small museum. An opportunity to absorb wonderful childhood memories, not to be missed!

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