History - industries

David Ogle Ltd. was established in 1960 and based on Birds Hill.

They were responsible for many iconic car designs, such as the Reliant Scimitar GTE and versions of the Mini, Riley 1.5 and Aston Martin V8. They also designed a ‘Popemobile’ for The Vatican.

In 1970 they designed the ‘Bond Bug’, a small orange three-wheeled car. Over two thousand were built and today they are collector’s items with their classic retro look. Ogle went on to design a more famous three-wheeled car, the Reliant Robin.

The St Edmundsbury Weaving Works was one of Letchworth Garden City’s most fascinating early industries

Established by Edmund Hunter in 1902, in Haslemere, Surrey, the company was already a success when the Hunters moved to Letchworth Garden City in 1908, having frequently exhibited and won awards. Working with architects Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin, the Hunters built their home, St Brighid’s, in Sollershott West, and their factory in Ridge Road.  Both buildings remain today.

The earliest exponents of the Garden City Movement appealed to industrialists the advantages of relocating to Letchworth Garden City. These benefits were to include good houses, no pollution, plenty of space, low rents and a healthy and efficient workforce. The factories would be placed in a designated area, away from shops, parks and housing, a concept that has only recently become more common nationwide.