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In 1816, young James Bedford completed his apprenticeship at the premises of John Ellershaw, Chemist and Druggist, of Briggate. During his apprenticeship he had learned how to process a purple dye called orchil, made from lichens. Successful and profitable manufacture of orchil at a commercial level is complex, requiring judicious purchase of raw materials and careful management of the dyestuff during a lengthy fermentation process. Nevertheless, the success of James and his son (also James) in orchil production was the solid base for development and expansion into the wider manufacture of dyes and chemicals. By the 1850s, and joined by Edward Wood, the younger James Bedford had moved to large premises on Kirkstall Road.
Various changes of name followed and by the early 2000s the company, for many years world famous for excellence and innovation, still occupied the Kirkstall Road site. It was by then known as Yorkshire Chemicals and among the largest dye manufacturers in the world.
Isabella Whitworth initially trained as a graphic designer with roles as a designer, copywriter and manager in the publishing and toy industries. She started working with textiles and dyes as an artist and tutor in the 1980s, developing a strong interest in natural dyes and their individual histories. Over the last 18 years she has studied the trade in orchil dyestuff through the early records of the Bedford family, which surfaced in the small Devon town where she lives.
