Thomas Crapper & Co. - Sanitary Engineers

By the 1880's, Crapper & Co.'s reputation was such that they were invited to supply the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) at Sandringham. Subsequently, Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey all benefited from Crapper goods and services. Today, the Crapper manhole covers in the Abbey are popular for brass rubbings! Crapper & Co. remained by Royal Appointment to Edward when he became king and was also warranted by George V, as Prince of Wales and once again as king.
Thomas Crapper died in 1910 and was buried near the grave of the cricketer, W.G. Grace, in Elmers End Cemetery. The company continued under the guidance of his old partner Robert M. Wharam, his son Robert G. Wharam and Mr. Crapper's nephew George Crapper. However by the late 1950s, after the demise of the original partners, it was evident to Robert G. Wharam that with no Crappers or Wharams left to run the business, the sale of the company was becoming inevitable. In addition, perhaps people cared little for quality and tradition during that period.

Lloyd Loom of Spalding - Furniture

Lloyd Loom of Spalding the genuine British manufacturer

Lloyd Loom is the name given to a woven fabric and furniture that was invented by Marshall Burns Lloyd nearly 100 years ago. It inspired a generation of furniture designers in the 1920's and 30's, associated with the art-deco period and the classic ocean-going liners of the time and it remains a timeless and classic style of furniture that endures to this day. It became immensely popular in the UK before the London factory was tragically destroyed in the war, spelling an end to large scale production.
Genuine British Lloyd Loom furniture is manufactured from woven twisted paper and wire on a solid beech-wood frame.
Each piece - whether for conservatory, kitchen or restaurant - is individually handmade by craftsmen to your specification and can be in any colour you like.
Our furniture is tremendously strong and, unlike the cane and rattan furniture which inspired the original elegant designs, it will last for a generation.

http://www.lloydloom.com/home

Bradley - High quality traditional furniture

Bradley has been manufacturing high quality traditional furniture in the UK since 1973, and has grown from a handful of skilled craftsmen into a modern factory that is capable of supplying our customers throughout the world. During this time Bradley has maintained the traditional qualities for which we are renowned.

http://www.bradleyfurniture.co.uk/welcome.htm

Wade Ceramics - high quality earthenware and porcelain products

Wade Ceramics is a market leader in the design and production of high quality
earthenware and porcelain products and the world leader in the design and
supply of porcelain flagons for the international distilling industry.

http://www.wade.co.uk/index.html

Portmeirion - Designer tableware

2010 is a very important year for Portmeirion as it celebrates its 50^th birthday. For half a century, Portmeirion has been delighting the world with tableware designs that are as innovative and imaginative as they are beautiful.

Taking direct inspiration from the original designs of the legendary designer and founder of Portmeirion Potteries, Susan Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion have introduced the Portmeirion Originals collection - a perfect tribute to Susan's iconic designs and the innovative techniques she used to revolutionise the casual dining market in the 1960s and 70s.

The Portmeirion Originals collection includes stunning, beautifully gift boxed mugs, a vase, coffee pot and soup tureen, all made in England. Information about each of the designs follows.

http://www.portmeirion.co.uk/

Royal Crown Derby - Luxury China

1750: The history of Royal Crown Derby is one of changing fortunes in the ebb and flow of time and taste. It began some time before 1750, when the Huguenot, Andrew Planche, established the first china works in Derby. His exquisite figures led to a fortuitous link with William Duesbury, who eventually became the guiding light in a very successful partnership manufacturing china of the highest quality.
1770: By 1770, Duesbury had acquired the famous Chelsea China Works and the Bow moulds which resulted in the gradual transfer of a number of extremely skilled craftsmen to Derby. It wasn't long before Duesbury could claim - with some justification - that his Derby factory was the 'second Dresden'. The opening of a London Showroom in 1773 marked the begnning of the widespread recognition of the excellence of Derby porcelain.
1775: King George III recognised the uniqueness of Derby porcelain in 1775 when he granted the factory the rare honour of being able to incorporate a crown into the backstamp. Much later, in 1890, Queen Victoria also gave Crown Derby her seal of approval not only by awarding the royal warrant, but also by granting the title "The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company".
1786: After his father's death in 1786, William Duesbury II set about making the Derby China Works the finest in Europe. Great developments were made in body, glaze, potting and decoration and the factory benefited from what was probably the most talented group of ceramic artists ever assembled. A tremendous variety of objects - all lavishly decorated - has made the 1786-95 decade one of the most desirable and interesting for collectors and students alike. Artistic talent included Boreman, the water-colour landscape genuis; figure painters Askew and Banford; and the exceptional talents of flower painters Withers, Billingsley and Pegg.
2000: Hugh Gibson, a former director of Royal Doulton and member of the Pearson family, leads a buy-out of Royal Crown Derby. Once more the firm becomes an independent and privately owned concern, during the year in which it also celebrates 250 years of manufacture of porcelain in Derby. http://www.royalcrownderby.co.uk/

Taylors Eye Witness Ltd - Sheffield kitchen Knives

Taylors Eye Witness have been making knives for over 150 years in its Sheffield factory.
What we don't know about knives, scissors and pocket knives is not worth knowing!

http://taylors-eye-witness.co.uk/about.htm