Dear A. G. Lafley,
Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive of Proctor & Gamble
Dear Sir, For your information and consideration.
It has recently come to our notice that the Wella Corporation of Germany currently owns all of the brand names of 'Yardley of London'. It is with this in mind that the following information is appended for your observations and review. On Saturday at 11:00 AM July 5th 2003, at Saint James Church, one of the oldest churches in Audley, Staffordshire, England plans are well advanced to celebrate the achievements of a very special 'Yardley'. He is Sir George Yardley / Eardley, Merchant Adventurer, three-times Royal Governor of Virginia (1619-1627), and Father of Representative Government in North America.
A branch of the Yardley Family had moved to London from Staffordshire in the late 1500's. They were well connected, and completely at ease with the De La Warrs, Sir Thomas Gates, the West Family - and indeed most of the Establishment figures of the time and era. They lived in that area of London close to where the original Yardley lavender was produced. Ralph Yardley, brother to George, was one of the original members of the Worshipful Company of Apothecaries, and it is from his family that the Yardley of London Company stemmed.
Sir George sailed with the Merchant Adventurers in 1609 to the Infant Colony of Virginia, predating the arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers in New England by some thirteen years. George, a professional soldier, with wide experience of active service, took command of the defences of Virginia, and decisively reversed the effects of the infamous Indian Massacre, thus saving British North America from extinction. King James I of England, later knighted him at Newmarket for services to Crown and Country. Returning to Virginia, he convened the first ' Independent Legislative Assembly in North America ', which formed the political template for the governance of many of the Thirteen Colonies, and indeed later on, for the Constitution of the United States itself.
The year 2007 sees the Quadcentenary of the founding of the Virginia Colony at Jamestowne, Virginia. Many celebrations are planned on both sides of the Atlantic, which will present abundant marketing opportunities for companies with transatlantic connections. We believe 'Yardley of London' to be especially well-placed to profit from its unique historic relationship with North America. Sir George's estate, one of the first original 'Land Grants' on the continent is named for his wife, Flowerdew (a relative of Queen Anne Boleyn) and currently exists as a privately-owned Park Museum, holding some 500,000 artifacts. George's son, Argyll, married into the Custis Family, and his descendants included the stepchildren of President George Washington, and the wife of the great Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
The many 'revered' connections which 'Yardley' enjoys with elite families on both sides of the Atlantic offers, we are certain, unprecedented prospects for the launch of new Yardley products and Collections, each with its own legend inscribed on the product. 'Flowerdew' and 'Washington' spring to mind purely as examples. Our present interest as members of the Yardley Family, which has variously evolved over the past 1000 years from Eardley, Erdley, to Yeardley, Yardley and then circa 1830 to Eardley, is to ensure the total success of the 'Eardley Stitch Day' on July 5th. One may review this on the website www.eardley.org.
Please allow us to elaborate.
Tom Mor, of Cambridge, England, a renowned tapesterian has invested thirty years of research and creative endeavour into weaving ' The New World Tapestry', a hugely impressive work, depicting the parts played by more than two hundred Adventurers who played significant roles in establishing British North America. Drake, Raleigh, Frobisher, Hawkins, and scores of others are included - and crucially for us, our own Sir George Yeardley. The Mayor and Mayoress of Newcastle-under-Lyme, England together with the Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, will be present, to add a stitch to the Yardley / Eardley panel. Also in attendance will be a gathering of Yardley / Eardleys, and local interested parties including the village of Audley, as well as BBC, the Sentinel newspaper, and the local radio stations. The event is being well publicised by letter and through our highly effective website - www.eardley.org (currently in excess of 82500 hits).
In addition, New Patrons will be adding a stitch to 'his' panel. Her Majesty the Queen, and other members of the Royal Family have already established their patronage at an earlier stage. We see the involvement of Yardley of London in the July 5th celebrations as being highly significant for all of us - and bearing in mind the affection and interest in the American psyche for all things Royal and historical, we see this as an excellent opportunity to promote an exciting resurgence of the' House of Yardley'.
In 2000, also in Audley, we as members of the Yardley / Eardley group successfully organised the largest family get-together in recent history, when we hosted 1500 Eardleys from all five continents, and attracted wide media interest. This year, we move into a different area in which our mission is to re-establish Sir George as a true British/American hero, portrayed as 'The Man Who Saved America'.
We invite Wella, through 'Yardley of London' to participate in the 'Stitch Day' in whichever manner is deemed to be appropriate, and further to become involved in any subsequent activity considered to be meaningful.
With sincere regards,
Robert Francis Eardley B.A.
Stoke-on-Trent, England
Robert Jack Eardley M.D.
3366 Commodore Drive
Lexington, Kentucky 40502-3602
(859)269-3686
robertjack@eardley.org
webmaster@eardley.org
6531 Time Square Ave #101
Orlando, Florida 32835-7540
(407) 313-7821
cc: Dr.Gunthler
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