Mirfield, Samuel Johnson & Sons Builders Newgate Mirfield

Image: © Gordon Kneale Brooke Taken: 7 Sep 2001

As will be seen from the photograph Johnsons are now out of business, but in days gone by they were a very prestigious firm. According to my Grandfather Samuel Johnson was a plasterer and when work was hard to come by he used to white wash cellars to make ends meet. His son Edward went into the business and gradually built it up to the excellent firm that it was. They employed, Joiners, Bricklayers, Stone Masons, Plasterers, Slaters, Tilers, Plumbers, Electricians. Edward had three Sons, Fred, Roland and Leonard. They eventually bought a Stone Quarry at Crossland Moor, Huddersfield, this was run by Fred. they also had a Sand Quarry at Pollington near Goole where they made roof tiles, this was known as the Rainbow Tile Company, run by Leonard. There was also a Car Sales business known as Rainbow, this was run by Leonard's son Tony at Snaith and Goole. All that is left of the business is the Stone Quarry, Johnsons Wellfield Quarries, Huddersfield the biggest stone Quarry in the country. It is part of The Readymix Concrete Co, a French Owned Company. I had the very good fortune to serve my apprenticeship at Newgate as a Plumber and Electrician, I am now 70 years old and live in Camblesforth near Selby.

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