Light Fare Recipes

Light Fare Recipes was published by Brown & Polson which itself was established in 1840, when two muslin manufacturers (John Polson & Co and William Brown & son of Glasgow) collaborated and opened their first factory in Thrushcraigs, Paisley. Together they worked on the process of bleaching, scouring and scratching of muslin cloth.  It was here that John Polson discovered an ideal starch that could withstand bleaching.

After many experiments, he succeeded in making a starch for household use.  This was marketed in 1842 as ‘powder starch’ and was sold to housewives.  After the death of his father in 1843, John Polson Jnr took over the business.  He invented the process of making pure starch from maize. and in 1854 he took out a patent to market it as foodstuff.  It was to become a household name throughout the world as ‘Brown & Polson’s patent cornflour’ and made the company world famous.

Even nowadays cornflour remains a standard store cupboard item.  Brown & Polson began producing starch and cornflour in the 1860’s.  They became the largest manufacturer of starch products in Britain and were granted the Royal Warrant.  It was around this time that the company moved premises to Falside Road, Paisley where it occupied almost 4 acres of land.  Business was thriving and it was known to have almost 1,200 workers.

John Polson was greatly concerned about the welfare of his workers.  In the 1870’s he began a profit-sharing scheme.  He also built a row of cottages and a recreational institute for the workers.  The building was used for the workers to meet and socialise.  Outside the building, the grounds had bowling greens and tennis courts.  John Polson Jnr died in 1900.  By then, Brown & Polson’s were the largest manufacturer of starch products in the UK. (https://www.paisley.org.uk/2016/08/brown-polson-paisley-boom-bust/)