Online events
Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown we have been running a series of free online events on Zoom. Here you can find out what event we have coming up and re-watch the recordings for some of the previous events.
Luton hatmaking facing crisis with the closure of ‘Peaky Blinders’ company
Traditional British hat making skills have suffered a major hit with the announcement of the closure of historic firm Olney Headwear Ltd, makers of the iconic Peaky Blinders hats. On Monday 21 December the company left its factory to make way for housing developers to build 31 apartments.
MBE for Buckinghamshire straw worker Veronica Main
Veronica Main from Hazelmere in Buckinghamshire has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours, in recognition of a lifetime spent researching, practicing and teaching the craft of straw plaiting for the hat industry.
Let the bells ring out for Christmas!
The last operating bellfoundry in Britain has been saved just in time for Christmas, thanks to £3.45m from the National Lottery. As well as to protect the site, our aim is to make the Loughborough Bellfoundry the global centre for the art of bell making and learning and provide an engaging and exciting visitor experience.
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