Our Story // Our Heritage
Our Heritage
The family business has been producing quality clothing for eight generations. 240 years on, Peregrine has a story to tell. Use the timeline below to learn more about our heritage.
1772
1776
1776
In 1796, with the birth of his first son, also named Thomas, Thomas made the move to Wigston Magma where he went into business as a hand frame knitter, commonly known back then as a “bag man”. In total, Thomas had two children, Thomas (1796) and William (1797), who later went on to run the business.
1824
1824
In 1824 Thomas Glover took over the business and continued to work as a hand frame knitter in Wigston, just outside Leicester.
1820s
1820s
Every Friday Thomas would travel into Leicester on a horse and cart to collect the spun wool from Montfort knitting mill before taking it back to Wigston to knit it up into jumpers. He would do this every week selling the knitted jumpers and replenishing the wool supplies. Thomas married Sarah Langham on the 20th of Feburary 1820 and went on to have 5 children; Samuel, Thomas, Sarah, William and Edward.
1860s
1860s
In 1821 Samuel Glover was born (1821-1913). Samuel worked in the family business from an early age. He married Hanna Brewin on the 24th of May 1841. By the 1860’s Samuel was employing over 26 people in the Moat street factory in Wigston Magma, Leicester. Samuel and Hanna had 6 children; Harriet, Joseph, Sarah, Elisabeth, Levi & Sarah
1860s
1860s
Joseph Glover (born 1846) started working for his father Samuel at the age of 14. He went on to work with his father for many years. During this period - the late 19th Century - the business grew rapidly. Joseph went on to Marry Sarah and had 3 children; Elizabeth, Hannah and John George. Towards the end of the 19th Century the business was employing around 26 people. Samuel and Joseph continued to work side by side.
1878
1878
When John George joined the business at the end of 19th Century the knitting industry was booming in Leicestershire.
1900
1900
After a period of substantial investment, John George Glover established J. G. Glover & Co Ltd in 1901.
Early 1900s
Early 1900s
J G Glover secured substantial contracts in the early 20th Century to supply the military NAAFI with socks. The factory continued to manufacture garments throughout WWI.
1920s
1920s
By the 1920s J G Glover employed over 300 people and started to export its products around the world.
1920s
1920s
Following John George's two week boat journey across the Atlantic to secure business, the 1920’s saw J G Glover’s first trading with the USA.
1927
1927
In 1927 Donald Glover (1909-1994) joined the business and worked with his father until John George died in WWII. Donald Glover returned from Five years of active service to take over and run the family business.
1956
1956
Donald Glover drove the business forward and in 1956 established a new brand Peregrine Clothing.
1962
1962
By the 1960’s the wholesale market was booming. In 1962 the business moved to a larger, purpose-built factory on Gloucester Crescent, Wigston.
1971
1971
In 1971, after graduating from the Leicester school of knitting, John Glover (born 1947) took the reigns becoming the managing director of the family business.
1970s
1970s
At this point chain stores dominated production with the introduction of "private label". During this period J G Glover manufactured for BHS and many other large department stores.
1970s
1970s
In the late 70’s technology improved dramatically and the subsequent introduction of computerised machines saw an increase in production and refined garments.
1980s
1980s
By the late 80’s the UK manufacturing industry was under serious threat as departments stores searched for cheaper products overseas. In 1987 J G Glover moved to a smaller manufacturing plant and concentrated on quality English made products that were exported overseas.
2003
2003
After graduating in Design in 2003 Tom Glover (born 1980) joined the business.
2003-2006s
2003-2006s
Tom wanted to give the Peregrine brand a new lease of life and launched a contemporary but classic range of outdoor clothing manufactured from the best natural fibres.
2006
2006
With the success of the new ranges Peregrine continued to be more creative with its styles and expanded into the Japanese market. The brand Peregrine was registered in Japan in 2006.
2006-2008s
2006-2008s
With the direction of Peregrine being more fashion lead than in earlier years the brand became recognised on the circuit and began to appear on catwalks around the world.<
2010-Present
2010-Present
In 2010 Peregrine opened its first showroom in Bristol. Peregrine continues to update and develop its range with new and exciting designs. Over 200 years and eight generations of Glovers later, the company is still going strong, with every garment proudly made in England.
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