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Silk Weaving - Small Weaving Factory

1976 , Castle Hedingham (Essex)

Cat no. 11323

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Report from a small silk weaving factory in Essex

Peter Barsby reports from a silk factory in Essex, showing silk imported from China for creating fabric. He briefly mentions the history of silk. Workers are shown weaving silk at a loom. Richard Humphries, the owner of the factory is interviewed about his custom-made fabric. He goes on to show Barsby round the factory. More close-ups of the factory workers show the making of fabric at different stages.

Keywords

Arts And Crafts; Employment; Unemployment; Factories; Factory Workers; Machines; Silk; Silk Weaving; Textiles; Weaving;

Background Information

Warner & Sons closed in 1971. It was known for producing high-class furnishing silks, including a Coronation Silk for Queen Elizabeth in 1953, and the coronation robes. However, many of the paper samples and documents were retained and added to the collection that later became the Warner Textile Archive. Richard Humphries established Humphries Weaving in 1972 after Warner & Sons closed. He used the knowledge he gained from his apprenticeship there to establish his own company with the equipment he managed to salvage from the Warner company. This business became a renowned silk manufacturer, later being commissioned to refurbish part of Hampton Court Palace. He was later awarded an MBE for his services to the textile industry.

Manifestations

Silk Weaving - Small Weaving Factory

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