DIGEST: INSIDE SUNSPEL'S FACTORY, THE MAKERS OF THINGS, ARTICLE MAGAZINE, SHOEMAKING

Above, a day in the life of Sunspel's factory in Long Eaton (where M&I visited back in March 2011)

Four very good videos of The Makers of Things - documenting the work and workshops of the Society for Model and Experimental Engineers (via Russell Davies)

Article magazine: 'a celebration of all things British'

A fascinating history of Bovril and its marketing (University of Cambridge)

Terry Smith, envelope cutter at Baddeley Brothers in Hackney (Spitalfields Life)

The Pointe Shoe Makers of Hackney (Spitalfields Life)

The making of Walsh trainers (Make it British)

How a Globe-Trotter suitcase is made (Make it British)

The making of a Private White VC pocket jacket (Port Magazine)

An article on Tanner Krolle in London, from 2011 (The National)

Coloral: a dormant Birmingham cycling brand being given new life (Kickstarter)

A couple of blogs:

The Make Works blog is a joy to keep up with

Norfolk's Old Town has a nice blog that I wasn't previously aware of

*Post updated 6th August 2013

DIGEST: LAST UK BUTTON MANUFACTURER CLOSES, MOULTON, SIR KENNETH GRANGE, FACTORY VISITS

Great designers in the news:

Alex Moulton, engineer and designer, passed away earlier this month (Dezeen)

Kenneth Grange knighted (BBC)

Factory visits:

A visit to the Gloverall factory in Wellingborough (Proper Mag)

Inside the Private White V.C. factory (Cool Hunting)

At bicycle component manufacturer Royce, in Hampshire (Headset Press)

Steve Salter visits the Sunspel factory in Long Eaton (Port Magazine)

News items:

The shock collapse of the last British button manufacturer (Halesowen News)

Why are British factories turning away business? (Make it British)

Raspberry PI and the UK manufacturing resurgence (Wired)

On livery companies: British institutions (FT)

On skills shortages among young workers (Economist)

A piano maker tells of Thatcher's impact on UK piano manufacturing (Port Magazine)

Ale and cider:

The history of cider in the UK (Hot Rum Cow, ps 13-16)

Britain's lost breweries and beers (The Good Stuff)

Event:

David Hieatt (of Hiut Denim) to talk in London on Tuesday 15th January (YCN)

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Photo of Moulton bike from Dezeen

WEEKLY DIGEST

A slightly extended round-up this week, potentially containing 'old' news.

A video on knitwear manufacturer John Smedley (Mr Porter)

The latest issue of The Brooks Bugle is available online (Brooks)

Umbrella magazine's latest issue has an interesting feature (p50) on the Ford factory in Dagenham (Umbrella)

According to this article, the Japanese are flocking to appreciate industrial beauty (FT)

Profile on James Eden of Private White VC (Telegraph)

On Hiut Denim and its founder David Hieatt (Business of Fashion)

Video interview with Irish crafts duo Jonathan Legge and James Carroll at New York Design Week where they were making simple stools (Makers & Brothers)

The Design Summit 2012 (on 'Who do we think we are?') looks like it could be interesting (Design Council)

Good news in the form of design copyright law change (Design Council)

Made in Britain's New Wave of designers (Telegraph)

And finally, a round-up inspired by a gentleman named Baz Clarke who has been sharing several excellent sources on the M&I Facebook page:

A couple of companies I was not aware of: Huddersfield's Richard Carter who makes tools by hand and Sugden Audio, a West Yorkshire based designer and manufacturer of audio equipment

A lovely article on Devon's Richard Morris who makes traditional tools in his mill in Dunsford (Western Morning News)

Nick Hedges' photos of factory workers

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Photo of Hiut Denim factory from Hiut Denim

WEEKLY DIGEST

Margaret Howell talks about 'the skill and expertise often found in British heritage products' in an interview for Liberty

Tom Whipple of The Times does a quick round up of London's blossoming brewing scene, including Meantime, Sambrook's and Fuller's, amongst others

Nestle's York factory has reduced its waste to zero

Alicia White of The Telegraph writes about some British made clothing brands, including Cherchbi, Private White VC and Peregrine

Picture of Margaret Howell from here

COOPER & STOLLBRAND/PRIVATE WHITE V.C ON CHANNEL FOUR TONIGHT

'The harsh and sad reality is that for the past few decades the majority of British factories, mills, weavers, finishers and textile suppliers have all ceased to exist but we are now more determined than ever to foster and revitalise the profile and general awareness of British manufacturers and remind the world that the UK has always and will continue to make the very finest garments.' James Eden, Private White V.C

Tonight at 1930hrs on Channel Four there is a 30 minute documentary on life at Cooper & Stollbrand, the factory behind Private White V.C. We are looking forward to seeing it.

Image from Cooper & Stollbrand