Description and History of Site:-
A collection of stone built industrial buildings mostly of the mid-late C19, some early C20 structures. Much of the original site has been demolished but those that remain are regarded as : " ... of local and regional importance as an exemplar of the type of specialist engineering works which made Otley of national significance as a centre of printing-press manufacture from the middle of the 19th century. Of seven such works in Otley at the end of the 19th century, the premises of only two are thought to have survived. The site is also of some historical importance as having housed the premises of the firm which perfected the type of cylinder printing press which attained standard use throughout a large section of the printing industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The works retains buildings from all periods of its operation and it will be important in any redevelopment of the site to maintain its architectural and archaeological integrity." (Ashfield Works, Planning and Development Brief, 2012, Leeds City Council). Messrs. William Dawson & Sons, had its origins in 1835, when it was founded by Mr. William Dawson, a pioneer of the engineering trade in Otley, who in 1860 took into partnership his manager, Mr. D. Payne. The latter retired in 1866, since which date the business has been carried on with constantly increasing success. As the trade of the firm grew, the premises at Otley (known as Ashfield Foundry) have been gradually enlarged, and they are now very extensive, comprising every department incidental to the industry carried on. Every process is carried out here, from the making of the necessary castings to the fitting together of the finished machine. Printing machines on the celebrated “Wharfedale” principle constitute the leading feature of Messrs. Dawson & Sons industry:

(1) the “Wharfedale ” ordinary single-colour machine, with all modern improvements suggested by experience and universal use;
(2) the "Wharfedale” two-colour machine;
(3) the “Wharfedale" extra-strong single-colour machine, with additional inking power;
(4) the “Wharfedale” two-feeder machine, with flyers and all improvements ;
(5) the “Wharfedale” four-feeder machine with flyers.

Also web rotary printing and folding machines. Messrs. William Dawson & Sons produce a variety of other printers' apparatus, prominent among which is their new patent “Star” self-clamp guillotine cutting machine, which will clamp securely and cut the hardest paper without vibration at the rate of twenty-five cuts per minute. Other manufactures include ordinary guillotine cutting machines, Imperial plough cutting machines, millboard cutters, card cutters, label-punching machines, bookbinders' rolling machines, glazing machines, ink mills, screw presses, paper-ruling machines, pen frames, split-iron roller moulds, scoring machines for box makers, and iron imposing surfaces. Messrs. Dawson also supply at the lowest possible prices bright shafting of any size or length, counter shafts, hangers, wall brackets, pedestals, split or solid pulleys, &c., &c., together with machine and press blankets, and various other printers' requirements. Extracts from 'The Century's Progress' of 1893.

In 1906 the firm was incorporated as a private liability company, and in 1921 acquired the company of Payne and Sons, of the nearby Atlas Works, becoming Dawson, Payne and Elliot. In 1965, the letterpress side of the business was acquired by R.W Crabtree.

Further Reading and References:-
https://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents/s83737/Ashfield%20Works%20-%20Planning%20and%20Development%20Brief%20September%202012.pdf
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Dawson_and_Sons

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Key Words :- engineering foundry printing machinery

Viewing the Site :- From the public road.

Address :- Westgate, Otley , West Yorkshire, LS21 3AT
Grid Ref :- SE 2000 4550
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.905279 , Long -1.697073
Local Authority :- Leeds Council
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Site extant - Protected status unknown
Site Condition :- Site derelict - some buildings remaining
Record Date :- 24 November 2018

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Nick Nelson