History
This website offers just a small selection of our huge range of your children's favorite toys, so why not pop in and see us? Our prices are always competitive and our knowledgeable, friendly staff are always pleased to help and advise.
Ellenbray Press
Charles Axford Bray (1855-1923) was born at Warminster, where he served an apprenticeship in printing and bookbinding. In 1876 he came to Frome and later was appointed manager of the printing department of Messrs. W.C. & J. Penny. He started a billposting and advertising agency which he later sold. In 1899 he established a printing and stationery business in Church Street.
He was assisted in the business by his 12 children, especially his eldest daughter Ellen (or Nell), who was born in 1880. Nell had been crippled at 2 and trained as a dressmaker. When she was 21 her leg was amputated. When her father retired, she took over his business and continued running it until 1938, when she retired, little dreaming she would live to be 100.
She sold the business to Mr F.C.F. Walwin, George Coleman & Mr. Leonard Chedgy.
The printing side of the business was later sold to Dowland’s Press, and Ellenbray Press concentrated on stationery and toys. When the business moved to the Westway Precinct in 1982, taking over the former Hepworths clothing store Ellen Bray was an honoured guest at its re-opening with TV personality Noel Edmunds. She was then aged 101. Her name is commemorated in the title of the business.
The business then moved to the former Public Library premises in 1992 where it is still situated and became known as Ellenbray.
Jeremy Walwin and David Chedgy the sons of Roy Walwin and Leonard Chedgy took on the business in 1981 and continue to run it today, trading as Ellenbray.
