I think the factory was the main source of income for Spondon families for many years.
Look at Spondon Historical Society for example. In the gallery there are quite a few images of the factory and workers taken at various times through its history.
I'm with you right up to the point where you mention relicing.
Still, I wish you many happy gigs with it and in, say, five years of use who'd know whether it was road worn or faked?