About us

Starting in the early 1920’s John Attwooll ran a successful animal medicine business from premises in Uley, Gloucestershire. He prepared and sold all manner of remedies to cure the ailing Cotswold livestock. Visiting local farms and attending various agricultural shows the business grew throughout the county.

In 1936 John and his family moved to the present site at Whitminster, Gloucestershire. He continued to concoct such remedies as Cotswold udder drench and lamb’s worm oil, also acquiring a small marquee company A.E. Drew of Ross-on-Wye. When the Second World War started the government commandeered all the marquees to support the NAAFI. Undeterred he diversified into collecting apples and pears from local farmers orchards to supply cider and perry producers, including Showerings the makers of Babycham.

After the war, John’s son Peter took over the firm and branched out into the manufacture of marquees and canvas goods such as boat covers and lorry sheets. The very first marquee linings we designed and made by Peter’s wife Sylvia, first on her sewing machine in the bedroom and later in a new purpose-built factory. It was really in 1960 when the camping department was formed. It was Sylvia’s idea and was a very small and novel industry at the time. She ran the business alongside bringing up four children. Tents were erected in a wooden shed for customers to inspect and purchase.

There was a high demand for shop blinds and canopies at this time. Blinds were manufactured with wooden frames and canvas covers at the Whitminster factory then installed out on site. We also regularly manufactured lorry sheets and tarpaulins for the haulage industry. All transportation vehicles had open backs and tarpaulins provided the primary protection against the elements. They were made in traditional cotton canvas.

As the camping business grew, a marquee was used as retail space replacing the shed. Further success led to a permanent building and in 1976 the new showroom was opened by Ken Dodd and his Diddymen. Sylvia Attwooll can be seen on Doddy’s left in this photo; she was presented with one of his famous tickling sticks. This was probably one of the first large out of town superstores at the time.

In the 1980s caravan awnings were introduced and the camping retail expanded with sites opening on garden centres in Swindon, Cirencester and new premises in Newport, Gwent. Sylvia’s daughter Heather introduced skiing equipment and clothing at this time, an exciting complement to the summer offerings. Brother Nigel in charge of the Marquee hire and eldest brother John overseeing production in the two on-site factories

As we head towards our centenary the business is still a family-run affair with John’s grandchildren, the 4th generation, still very much involved. Peter following his father’s footsteps into the manufacturing side with Chris, Mike and Anna working in the Camping Department. William also works in the marquee department.