Categories
Social History

Lest we forget – the men from company E

Company E was a small company of part-time territorials from a rural market town in Leicestershire. The men were all friends, neighbours, work mates and siblings who found themselves mobilised for war in 1914. The men became part of the 1st territorial division to be dispatched to France just 6 months after the start of […]

Categories
Design & illustration

Belinda Lyon – Illustrator

Belinda Lyon was a talented illustrator  who created  many designs for Oxfam during the late 1960’s and 1970’s.Belinda was born in London where she lived all of her life and trained at a London art school before starting her career in advertising.  Illustrators were in strong demand during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and […]

Categories
Social History

The story of a Village Hall

Village halls are found in many different guises up and down the country. They reflect changing attitudes to education, health and community life as well as developments in construction. There are approx. 10,000 community run village halls up and down the country all with a unique often forgotten history – this is the story of […]

Categories
Design & illustration

Old Bleach Linen Company

The Old Bleach Linen company is an Irish linen company with a fascinating and long history of textile manufacturing in Randalstown, Northern Ireland. Irish linen is known for its quality due to the climate in Ireland which is perfect for the growth of flax and over hundreds of years  the low worker costs and high […]

Categories
Social History

The History of Simpoles Ltd – Furniture Makers

Hidden on the underside of one of the drawers in this mahogany architects plan chest  was a Simpoles Ltd furniture makers label. The slightly torn label contained a wealth of information that led me on an interesting  journey of discovery. His Majesty’s Office Of Works The label told me that it was made sometime prior to  […]