James Pulham & Son - Revived interest in the Pulhams

Revived interest in the Pulhams

The past 20 years have seen a revival of interest in the works of the James Pulhams. Articles have appeared in garden history journals and Claude Hitching, several of whose ancestors worked for the Pulham & Son, is compiling a book about the firm (www.pulham.org.uk ).

Each year sees the discovery of previously unrecorded sites in many different parts of the country. English Heritage has recently published a list of Pulham sites and in response to pleas for help, has issued guidelines for the care and restoration of the artificial rocks.

Remains of one of the kilns and the puddling wheel are now Grade II listed and maintained by Broxbourne Borough Council, although the house and works were demolished in 1966.

The considerable variety of their output and its unquestionable quality should ensure that work by ‘the old-established firm of Messrs Pulham & Son' continues to survive and become increasingly valued in the 21st century.

Kate Banister is the author of ‘The Pulham family of Hertfordshire and their work' in Hertfordshire Garden History, edited by Anne Rowe (Hertfordshire Publications, 2007).