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Saturday 10th April 1829 Joseph Dobson was born and the story begins
1839
At the age of 10 Joseph’s parents died of the plague, he moved to York to be raised by his grandparents. He later worked for the confectioners Cravens of York
1849
Joseph married Eleanor Berry, sister of William Charles Berry who was part of the family who founded the famous confectioners Terry’s of York
1850
Joseph and his wife moved to Elland to claim his inheritance however the solicitor had disappeared with most of it only leaving him the buildings in Northgate, here is where he set up a confectionery business producing Bridal Cakes and Funeral Biscuits which were popular in the Victorian times
1885
After Joseph’s death in 1885 the business was managed by his 3 sons: Robert Henry, William Charles and Thomas John, each son taking their turn to manage the business.
1890
A stone plaque was erected within the walls of Dobson’s yard on the Rose & Crown building to commemorate Thomas John’s 21st birthday, this building has recently been known as De Lacey’s and is now owned by Dobson’s
1890’s
Conversation Lozengers were introduced by Dobson’s. Each sweet was embossed with a short motto for example “Take ye not to Strong drink” and “Honour thy Parents”
1890-1900
Many of the first sweets introduced contained ingredients which had medicinal values including the Dobson’s Voice Tablet which is still one of the most popular products manufactured today.
1890-1900
Traditional manufacturing methods were used and included heating the ingredients in a copper pan on a “Coke” stove, pulling part of the batch using a metal hook on the wall and feeding the formed sweet through different shaped rollers onto a stone slab
1900
Deliveries in the 1900's were made using a horse and cart and grooves were made in the stone setts to help the horses grip which can still be clearly seen today at the entrance to the factory
1913
On the 17th December 1913 Joseph Dobson & Sons became incorporated by the directors: William Charles Dobson, Thomas John Dobson and the widow of Robert Henry, Harriet Dobson.
1920
The famous Yorkshire Mixtures were produced entirely by accident when one day whilst Thomas John was carrying a tray of sweets downstairs, he slipped and fell and when he looked down at the jumbled mass of sweets he was inspired to create the now famous Yorkshire Mixture we all love today
1929
Joseph’s grand-daughter, Mildred Dobson married Arnold Chadwick and they had two sons, Francis Arnold and Thomas Anthony (who would become Managing Director in 1977)
1930
Dobson’s first sweet shop was opened in Northgate, at the front of the factory
1942
Due to the second world war, sugar rationing was introduced which meant Dobson’s could only manufacture a fixed amount of sweets per month
1949
Sugar de-rationing was first attempted, however there was such a huge surge in the demand for sweets, rationing had to be reintroduced and sweets continued to be rationed until 1953. The photo below shows Thomas Anthony tasting the first sweets made after the end of rationing in 1953.
1952
Dobson’s sweet shop moved from Northgate to Southgate in the centre of Elland. It remains a very popular traditional sweet shop selling a wide range of English and continental confectionery products alongside all Dobson’s products manufactured in the Elland factory.
1956
Thomas Anthony (son of Mildred Chadwick nee Dobson) worked for a short period in the factory until 1960, he then gained further experience in the confectionery industry working at various confectionery companies including Fullers and Terrys of York, he then returned to Dobson’s as a company director in 1977
1979
Sweets were becoming popular in supermarkets and Dobson’s introduced their best-selling varieties into 1/2lb packets for Morrison’s supermarkets
1982
Mint imperials and the technique of panning confectionery were introduced and are now one of the best-selling products manufactured and are supplied across the UK
1985
Large glass jars were replaced with plastic jars for the packing of the products supplied to the traditional sweet shops.
1986
Barbara (Thomas Anthony’s wife) joins the company as a director.
1990
Yorkshire Television used the factory yard to recreate a Victorian slum as part of their drama series “How we used to live” also in this year Dobson’s were filmed by the BBC as part of “A history of the confectionery business”
1999
Dobson’s bought a lollipop company called Ryburn and moved production of the varieties of lollipops and Old Tom cough sweets to their factory in Elland
1999
Miriam – daughter of Thomas Anthony and Barbara Ann, and her husband Stephen Walshaw start working in the factory after moving from Canada with their daughters Josephine and Charlotte
2003
Miriam, great-great granddaughter of Joseph and her husband Stephen become directors
2005
The Mega Lolly range extended due to popular demand with over 50 different flavours available
2006
Dobson’s achieve accreditation with BRC. This audit takes place annually and the highest grade certification has been maintained to the current day.
2007
Miriam and Stephen took over managing the company. The company has now been owned and managed by direct descendants of Joseph right up to the present day
2010
The business continues to grow and a large extension to the factory is built, Also several new manufacturing lines and packaging machines are introduced
2013
Dobson’s purchased a second factory in Elland also used for manufacturing, packaging and storage to help meet the demands and growth of the market
2017
Dobson’s decide to be part of the Social Media age, opening Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages to help advertise new products and keep customers up to date with any news
2017
A range of sugar free Sweets and Mega Lollies are introduced as the demand for sugar free confectionery rises.
2017
A big year for Dobson’s with the launch of the NEW packaging, keeping the good name and tradition whilst attracting a wider audience. Mint Imperials, Yorkshire Mixtures, Pear Drops, Voice Tablets, Rhubarb & Custard and Sherbet pips are the first to change, others will follow
2018
Dobson’s ecommerce website is launched, customers now have the ability to order via the web. Being the first time ever you can buy all Dobson’s products in one place, including gifts, seasonal, offers and sweet club.
2018
Dobson's were delighted to be asked by the Duke of York to provide wedding favours for the wedding of his daughter Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank. Bespoke tins made by Macbey Packaging were filled with Dobson's famous Mint Imperials providing a special gift for the guests.
2019
A fantastic start to the year with 5 new flavours added to Dobson's Mega Lolly range. Blueberry, Chocolate Lime, Grape and Salted Caramel have been added to make over 50 flavours of the famous Mega Lolly available.
