William Clark Ltd.
( a timeline in 400 words)

That Upperlands owes its existence to Clark's linen business is ALMOST no exaggeration: the Sperrin Hills, so lavish with their crystal waters would claim to have had some influence!

The Knockoneill / Clady River which partly drains the Sperrins, making its way through Swatragh and Upperlands down to the River Bann near Portglenone.

In summer or winter full flood, it is something to behold!

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John Clark (1665 - 1707 from Kent) started trading.

Now in Maghera, son,  Jackson Clark (1695 - 1794 )realised that he could make more money by making his own linen and trading it himself.

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When the entrepreneurial magic of Jackson Clark (with skills and  interests in corn milling) was combined with potential from the Clady River, the 'Clark' story ready to take off.

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Jackson's experience in three areas was key:

• milling

• knowledge of river flow patterns gained through regular fishing days

• fascination with modern machinery displayed in advertised exhibitions enabled him to see a way to expand his interests and provide for his family.

One particular exhibition, of 'new-fangled water driven beetles' at Belfast in early 1737 propelled him to action.

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A waterwheel was built on the Clady River, but not for the grinding of corn.
Uniquely, its purpose was as a source of power for the first beetling machine in Upperlands.

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Upperlands village grew larger as more people came to work making linen.

More linen was made and all of it was traded to places far away from Upperlands.

It was transported by cart, railway and boat.

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The American War of Independence (1775 -1783)

Cotton fields were ruined so they bought HUGE amounts of Linen from Ireland.

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A steam engine was Brought in from Maghera and used to drive a large new Stenter frame.

Alex

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World War I  and World War II:

Again, HUGE amounts of Linen were
needed for armies. 

(Clarks first telephone-1909)

Harry & Wallace

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700 workers

 

New man-made materials became very cheap to make and popular (mainly types of plastic)

Linen sales crash

Wallace

Bruce (briefly)

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With textile developments, changing fashions, explosion of production in eastern nations, Clarks was on a fairly relentless period of contraction.

Elements of the plant were closed, others were subject to new working conditions demanding huge investment.

All important production costs made competition hard to compete with.

Clarks and much of its estate was sold to JHT for development 9with a caveat that Wm. Clark ltd. be 'catered for' in future developments.

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Interestingly government investment grants were heavily in favour of the 'new' textiles: as a 1600s ban on Irish wool importation into GB had created opportunity, government policy was now creating market difficulties.

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Production of composite materials still takes place but the jewel in the Clark crown, fine beetled linen cloth is still lovingly created in our very own Road Engines Beetling Mill, of which our Flax Visitor Centre was once an important part.