I've lived in Walsall the whole of my 33 years of life and have never been inside the museum, despite the school trips I could have gone on years ago. Thanks for takin me inside.
Mountfords leather I remember well when I had my first job age 15. The smell of leather everywhere. I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to see some who had worked there from 1930s. I know if I go to the museum I will cry. But in my mind I'll see those lovely individuals, their faces, their laughter.
Harry, I find the local museums in the towns which had specialities like Redditch for needles and fish hooks, Kidderminster for carpets, High Wycombe for chairs, Nottingham for lace, Sheffield for cutlery etc to be truly fascinating as there are still people around that worked in the industry and they make the very best guides. It is worth seeking out these small specialised museums as they show what we once made as a country and why the UK truly was "the workshop of the world". Please keep on visiting these places.
UK Tony You make a very good point...I got to High Wycombe a while back...sadly without a film camera and since then Stuart Linford has closed. Thanks for your suggestions about other places.
From the States...Eric, that's badass. Cool to see that in England. I was in England a year ago. Wow...I hope more English Leather Smiths follow to see that place. You want your Products to last for ages. Start from expression of self through products to others, the "customers." Let your hammer fall, "let's make it happen Captain." This smith is out.
6.23 Patcher? PATCHER? That is a BUSM No6 heavy harness stitcher, quite possibly the finest leather sewing machine in existence. Commonly known as a Pearson 6, after the firm which developed it. Makes a beautiful stitch from 14 to 4 stitches per inch using 18/3 up to 18/10 linen thread. Rated to do 3/4" thick work, I've convinced mine to do 9/10" once. Patcher indeed...
Amazing to see the old tools, some if not all are still in use today I have never seen a leather museum before we don't have anything in Australia like this .Thank you Harry
Thank you for this film, Harry - all beautiful - the machinery, tools, architecture and people/photographs. Love your fun and interesting commentary, as always, very inspiring! Really makes one think about how important it is to respect and share our wonderfully rich English history in traditional cultural crafts and the workmanship and skill of the people who came before us.
Nice video (as per usual) Harry. I grew up in Walsall so it's especially relevant. When my dad got made redundant from British Leyland (he was an upholsterer) at the end of the 1970s he retrained in leatherwork and ended up teaching basic leatherwork part-time at Walsall Technical College.
Enjoyed the tour. I live in New England where there are many former craft-related industries; all forms of textile, silver, shoemaking etc. I grew-up in a textile town where most folks worked in the mill.
Do you know Harry, I find your videos the very best due to the style of your filming, where most arty type cameramen show trivial and uninteresting things in the films, you, being a man that knows the trade, focus on the interesting things, the things that those that do, want to see, you are as if one was there looking at the very pieces that one would look at, very many thanks for that keen observation of the bits that matter ! Chris B.
Thanks for sharing Harry. You have great videos. I appreciate your teaching! I love the part with the fish oil and animal fat. I sure would love for you to do a video on homemade leather conditioners!
Granddad and father both worked leather trade. Granddad was in South Staffs Yeomary as between the wars they were a mounted regiment, so saddlery connection. Dad would come home with bits of leather in trouser turn ups. He always smelled of leather dye. Mother would do out work, dog collars. She would use a thing called a horse, sort of foot operated clamp, but not like the one shown here, it rested on a bracket on a table.
That’s about an hours drive for me but not been there yet, have to get myself down there looks like an interesting place, thank for sharing Harry.atb John.
Hi Harry I am fairly local to this, the last I heard it was under threat of closure, (cost cutting) much like the world class cut glass museum in Kingswinford which now has a tiny space in another building.
Harry, I signed a petition online to save this museum earlier this year, do you know if it still under threat of closure, I would love to see it myself but thanks for the video in the meantime.
Wonderful museum. Have you been to Yeovil in Somerset County? I was there in the 90s and saw gloving and leather workshops. Not sure it's still an industry.
You all prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know of a method to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost the login password. I would love any tricks you can offer me.
@Anakin Rudy I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Anakin Rudy DAMN IT ACTUALLY WORKED :O I literally hacked my ig login after roughly 40 minutes by using the site. Just had to pay 15 bucks but for sure worth the money :O Thanks so much, you saved my ass!
I've lived in Walsall the whole of my 33 years of life and have never been inside the museum, despite the school trips I could have gone on years ago. Thanks for takin me inside.
Mountfords leather I remember well when I had my first job age 15. The smell of leather everywhere. I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to see some who had worked there from 1930s. I know if I go to the museum I will cry. But in my mind I'll see those lovely individuals, their faces, their laughter.
It's nice to go to a museum that doesn't mind you touching and interacting with the various display items.
Thank you Harry, for yet another fine film. So interesting and brought to life by your enthusiasm!
Harry, I find the local museums in the towns which had specialities like Redditch for needles and fish hooks, Kidderminster for carpets, High Wycombe for chairs, Nottingham for lace, Sheffield for cutlery etc to be truly fascinating as there are still people around that worked in the industry and they make the very best guides. It is worth seeking out these small specialised museums as they show what we once made as a country and why the UK truly was "the workshop of the world". Please keep on visiting these places.
UK Tony You make a very good point...I got to High Wycombe a while back...sadly without a film camera and since then Stuart Linford has closed. Thanks for your suggestions about other places.
I love the design of the stitching pony. So simple, yet so functional.
Trades are fascinating subjects Thanks Harry For sharing Cheers
Wow! Thank you Harry. That was a special tour. Thank you taking us along.
Brian Chester Thanks Brian
From the States...Eric, that's badass. Cool to see that in England. I was in England a year ago. Wow...I hope more English Leather Smiths follow to see that place. You want your Products to last for ages. Start from expression of self through products to others, the "customers." Let your hammer fall, "let's make it happen Captain." This smith is out.
6.23 Patcher? PATCHER? That is a BUSM No6 heavy harness stitcher, quite possibly the finest leather sewing machine in existence. Commonly known as a Pearson 6, after the firm which developed it. Makes a beautiful stitch from 14 to 4 stitches per inch using 18/3 up to 18/10 linen thread. Rated to do 3/4" thick work, I've convinced mine to do 9/10" once. Patcher indeed...
I was there today. Absolutely fascinating.
Thanks for posting Harry
Amazing to see the old tools, some if not all are still in use today I have never seen a leather museum before we don't have anything in Australia like this .Thank you Harry
gwynne clark That's great thanks.
Thanx Harry! I don't think I'll get to visit that museum, so thank you for the wonderful tour.
This would be my first leather museum visit! Thanks Harry.
Thanks for sharing. You are the best, Roger🙂
Thank you for this film, Harry - all beautiful - the machinery, tools, architecture and people/photographs. Love your fun and interesting commentary, as always, very inspiring! Really makes one think about how important it is to respect and share our wonderfully rich English history in traditional cultural crafts and the workmanship and skill of the people who came before us.
Light Infusion Thanks.
WOW Harry, great video, not sure how I haven't seen this till now. Thanks for sharing
Thanks John
Nice video (as per usual) Harry. I grew up in Walsall so it's especially relevant. When my dad got made redundant from British Leyland (he was an upholsterer) at the end of the 1970s he retrained in leatherwork and ended up teaching basic leatherwork part-time at Walsall Technical College.
IvorPuddifant Thanks Ivor...an interesting story about your dad.
Very interesting video Harry, I am watching all your videos,finding the green woodworking so interesting.looking forward to watching many more..
Great video! And extra thanks to you for spending a few minutes looking at that stitching horse. It's got me thinking of a future project.
Kim Ainsworth-Bowes Thanks Kim....I think there are plans for one in the Hand Stitching book by Al Stolhman
Many thanks for adding that Harry....I'm not to far from Walsall I should make an effort to get over and spend half a day wandering round...:)
Hi Gary...I certainly enjoyed it.....and I believe the Abbey foundry is nearby!
Enjoyed the tour. I live in New England where there are many former craft-related industries; all forms of textile, silver, shoemaking etc. I grew-up in a textile town where most folks worked in the mill.
Thanks John..interesting how that happens....Walsall is a long way from home for me.
Great tour Harry,Glad i found your channel,catching up watching all your videos ,keep them coming..
Terry Bennett Thanks
Do you know Harry, I find your videos the very best due to the style of your filming, where most arty type cameramen show trivial and uninteresting things in the films, you, being a man that knows the trade, focus on the interesting things, the things that those that do, want to see, you are as if one was there looking at the very pieces that one would look at, very many thanks for that keen observation of the bits that matter ! Chris B.
Thanks Chris.
Very cool, thanks for posting.
neilyeag Thanks
Thanks for sharing Harry. You have great videos. I appreciate your teaching! I love the part with the fish oil and animal fat. I sure would love for you to do a video on homemade leather conditioners!
This is on my list for my U.K. Trip. Thank you!
Great video Harry! Thanks for posting this!
Bob Troxell
Virginia, USA
+vajake1 Thanks Bob....good to know it's being seen in Virginia.
Granddad and father both worked leather trade. Granddad was in South Staffs Yeomary as between the wars they were a mounted regiment, so saddlery connection. Dad would come home with bits of leather in trouser turn ups. He always smelled of leather dye.
Mother would do out work, dog collars. She would use a thing called a horse, sort of foot operated clamp, but not like the one shown here, it rested on a bracket on a table.
Spoke to chap who had saddle company in Walsall, sure he said had supplied the House hold cavalry in past.
Thank you for sharing! Great tour!
dochayesnm Thanks
Harry Rogers I shared to an old leather tool group and people there are enjoying it to.
Wonderful place but still a little sad to see all those marvelous machines sitting unused.
My god look at the tools...Good stuff
Hi Harry, I Iive about 10 miles from there, but never been. The local football team are known as....The Saddlers 😄
MuddyBootz Very appropriate name! Interesting history.
That’s about an hours drive for me but not been there yet, have to get myself down there looks like an interesting place, thank for sharing Harry.atb John.
Hello John. it makes a good trip!
Nice video
Hi Harry I am fairly local to this, the last I heard it was under threat of closure, (cost cutting) much like the world class cut glass museum in Kingswinford which now has a tiny space in another building.
Brian Simpson That would be sad.
Fascinating insight Thanks
Harry, I signed a petition online to save this museum earlier this year, do you know if it still under threat of closure, I would love to see it myself but thanks for the video in the meantime.
Great video Harry! The Tannery looks interesting, get any interesting pieces (food) there? haha
Thomas Roberts sounds a bit fishy to me Thomas!
Wonderful museum. Have you been to Yeovil in Somerset County? I was there in the 90s and saw gloving and leather workshops. Not sure it's still an industry.
+Randal Wiginton Hi Randal..yes..the leather trades are still pretty busy there...Mulberry and Pittards still going strong.
Parabéns! Muito obrigado por compartilhar mais esse interessante vídeo, sou professor de história e adorei conhecer virtualmente o museu.
Luziano Macedo bueno
You all prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know of a method to get back into an Instagram account?
I stupidly lost the login password. I would love any tricks you can offer me.
@Adonis Josue Instablaster =)
@Anakin Rudy I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and im trying it out atm.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Anakin Rudy DAMN IT ACTUALLY WORKED :O I literally hacked my ig login after roughly 40 minutes by using the site.
Just had to pay 15 bucks but for sure worth the money :O
Thanks so much, you saved my ass!
WALSALL IS MY TOWN
I'm sad to discover Joseph Dixon have closed down. Can anyone kindly suggest an alternative brand/supplier for basic leather-work tools?
Oliver Nissen Probably Osborne or Tandy Leather...or Vets Blanchard
Great help. Thanks for that and for your videos too - great stuff
You still local? I'm just up the road if you want a brew 👍🏻
TheEDCchannel Thanks....sadly not.
Y do I follow u?
Vegetarians wont like this i guess?
Very 😎 cool