DIGEST: HOPS, VISIBLE MENDING, SILK WEAVING IN MACCLESFIELD, HORN BUTTONS, THE NEW INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

"Present at each stage of production are the standards and inimitable know-how accumulated over the last 150 years. Over that time, a few things have changed — some faster than others — but it’s still the precise same product off the line, same portraits of the founders in the entrance-way, and the same name above the door."

A characteristically well put together piece on the last horn button factory in the UK, in the West Midlands, from S.E.H Kelly. I sometimes struggle to keep up with their output, so I suggest you peruse their site's 'Makers' section in its entirety.

(Picture above from S.E.H Kelly)

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"The project was inspired by an attraction to the aesthetics of these workplaces, but also by an interest in what the practices of fixing, mending, repair and renewal could reveal about the way people value things, and each other."

I came across this site, Celebration of Repair, a little while ago. Delighted to see the research is now available in book form, entitled Visible Mending

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Are British hops the new grapes? (SIBA)

Though, according to this excellent radio programme, there's only 60 hop growers left in the UK (BBC Radio 4)

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"In this two part series, Steph McGovern looks at both the bigger story of silk production, but also takes a close look at how silk shaped one particular town - Macclesfield in Cheshire. Here, silk has been processed, woven and printed for four centuries, and had a profound effect not just upon the built environment but also the social world in which its inhabitants lived."

Another great bit of radio here, on silk weaving (jump to 22.28 to hear about the goings-on at RA Smart near Macclesfield) (BBC Radio 4)

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"Sheffield is one of the best places in the world to get a sense of how new thinking allied with clever technology and global marketing can transform traditional industries"

An insightful article by Peter Marsh on The New Industrial Revolution (The Global Journal)

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An aptly named retail site that highlights where things are made (Provenance)

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An interview with Adam Atkinson of Cherchbi (Grey Fox)

WEEKLY DIGEST

Audio slideshows of British bike builders: Tom Donhou, Sam Humpheson, Rourke Cycles and Ricky Feather (Rapha)

A film on Lincolnshire furniture maker Sebastian Cox (OEN)

Equal Rights for Design campaign (Make it British)

The British Are Coming! Featuring E Tautz, Turnbull & Asser and Alfred Dunhill (WSJ)

Some pictures (by Koto Bolofo) of the factory where Margaret Howell gets her shirts made (Margaret Howell)

Speaking of Howell, an article from 2007 which talks about her home and its aesthetic (Independent)

Luggage company Globe-Trotter featured on the radio (at 38mins) (M24)

A sadly predictable story of the British beer situation at the Olympics (SIBA)

WEEKLY DIGEST

On the Carreducker blog they are covering their shoemaking course as it progresses (Carreducker)

The Great British Homebrew winner is announced and his beer is stocked in Nicholson's pubs (SIBA)

Brits do well in the Designs of the Year (Domus)

Proskills, the UK's manufacturing skills body is facing closure after its budget was cut (Telegraph)

A new exhibition in Birmingham to promote the work of the Jewellery Quarter (Made in the Jewellery Quarter)

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For other UK making stories (predominantly fashion based) in the press this week, see Make it British

Photo from the aforementioned Carreducker blog

WEEKLY DIGEST

Limited edition Minis to be decked out with Rolls Royce interior touches

Reasonable Royal Wedding product alert: Stoke brewery partners with pottery to produce ceramic bottle

Life at the Dyson R&D dept sounds pretty fun

Retailer to fund UK manufacturing apprenticeships

First new MG in 16 years rolls off production line at Longbridge, Birmingham

SAVE THE WENLOCK

This fine pub is looking likely to be taken over, or worse demolished.

As the Save the Wenlock Facebook group says:

'The Wenlock Arms is a thriving pub and an institution. Whilst those involved in its sale and threatened closure may have perfectly respectable reasons for doing so, were this house to close a large community will lose an amenity and some their jobs.'

Picture from Matthew Ogle on the Save the Wenlock Flickr

THE LONDON BREWERS ALLIANCE SHOWCASE

M&I spent Friday evening drinking many fine ales from across the capital. There's plenty to say about our experience but right now the words are being quelled by the locally brewed hangover.

For more pictures please click here

LOCAL REAL ALE KEG BOOM

Meanwhile, in the Midlands, Kammac, the only manufacturer of giant 100 litre casks is reporting brisk business. Due to small real ale breweries popping up all over the land, demand is the highest it has been for some time.

Speaking on the local BBC news, (what M&I presume is) a spokesman for Kammac said, 'any publican who is not selling a local real ale could be missing out on a real business winner here.'

According to the BBC report almost 2,500 British pubs closed last year, at the rate of 39 a week.

However, brewers are reporting positive results: a 17% increase in turnover last year and a 4% increase in production during the recession.

Can the UK's real ale boom mirror the craft beer revolution in the US? We sincerely hope so.

SCRAPBOOK PT. 7 (BRITS ABROAD)

SCRAPBOOK PT. 6

TRUMANS BEER, SINCE 1666... REBORN 2010

Roger Protz of The Morning Advertiser (officially the 'pub trade's favourite') reports that Truman's, the brewery formerly based on Brick Lane, is producing beer once again. The motivations of the gentlemen behind it are admirable and an M&I source tells us that 'Truman's Runner is an easy drinking and well balanced pint that is refreshing whilst retaining a depth of warm flavours.'

Protz's well informed article is well worth a read if you are so inclined. It also includes a list of London based pubs that Truman's Runner is stocked at.

Image from Truman's

MEANTIME, THEY HAVE A BLOG

New branded awnings, the development of a brewery/pub/restaurant to open in March (coinciding with the 10 year anniversary of the company) - 2010 looks set to be a memorable one for Greenwich's Meantime Brewery.

Click on the title to go to Meantime's blog.

HODGSON'S BREWERY, KINGSTON

Originally named The Kingston Brewery, founded in about 1610. The brewery was sold to William Hodgson in 1854. It was acquired by Courage in 1943 and ceased to brew in 1965.

(According to Richmond, L and Turton, A in The Brewing Industry, Manchester University Press, 1990)

It appears that there is very little other information regarding Hodgson's available on the internet. These photos were purchased from this gentleman (who has been a member of the delightfully titled 'Ephemera Society' since 1987) on eBay.

TRUMANS BEER, SINCE 1666

Open your beer and learn a little history at the same time. A lovely promotional product from the now defunct east London brewery.