Norlett Factory – Then & Now
October 17, 2022 in Articles
Searching for the history of a particular machine or brand can be time-consuming. Newspaper adverts, trade reports and brochures are helpful with timelines, machine specifications and also addresses from where the manufacturer or retailer was located, but it does take time to piece everything together!
Thankfully, the internet is often a great resource for locating the required information. In particular, Google Maps and Street View can be used to search for locations, and if lucky the factory or offices may still be standing.
I have been looking through some Norlett brochures, as many will know, a large range of Norlett machines exist. These include a multitude of homeowner lawnmower models, and also a small range of ride-on mowers. Ground-engaging machines include the Versatiller, the TillerMate and the electric or petrol Beaver Powaspade.
Looking at one Norlett brochure, a typical artist’s drawing of the factory and offices along with a Ford D Series lorry is shown. This building is still standing and the two images show the brochure drawing and how the location looks today. Apart from some updating, the location does not seem to have changed much.
The Norlett location, which according to advertising they used in the 1970s and the 1980s, is detailed on brochures as Norlett LTD, Dormer Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3UE (although the postcode has now changed). The building can be found along with the Kubota premises on Dormer Road, Thame, Oxfordshire.
A handy link to the location on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/1WLyYF4SQVKaPq9b6
Or on What3words: https://w3w.co/offshore.graphics.unheated
