I love the little odd glimpses into the everyday life necessities of the past. We have so much info about the upper classes, but so little on the everyday person. It really makes things like this little needle museum so precious.
People don’t realize how hard it was to even get needles and how relatively expensive metal needles were. During colonial times in the States, housewives jealously guarded her metal needles. If she dropped one the world ground to a halt as she scoured the floor for it. They were far superior to the cheaper bone needles, expensive, and could be hard to come by if you were living rurally. Interesting museum, added to my England Museum list!!!
This is amazing! I can't imagine sewing with a bone needle but I bet it had its quirks. My Mom was also very precious about her needles - like you say good ones were expensive x
Amazing how much hard work went into such small objects that would taken for granted. Thanks for introducing us to these people who basically gave their lives for our convenience.
Yes! That's how I think about it too, and there are still people out there doing that today. We are very lucky even on days when I think I'm not - gives you a reality check x
HELLO Lucy - your intro always makes me smile because I know your happy face is about to introduce us to something absolutely fascinating and yet again, you didn't disappoint ! What a brilliant place, and you are correct - I never thought about how needles are made or how many types there are, even the points of darts. BTW, you do NOT make 'silly little videos' - they are brilliant and so interesting and you make them all the more enjoyable by your enthusiasm . Thanks Lucy for finding this place for us - whatever will you unearth next time ! ??? Take special care 🙂
Thank you so much Michael - it's quite funny a "friend" (ahem) made a comment about my "silly little videos" the other day so it was a little dig to her .. not that she will ever watch them, because they are silly to her see? I am happier than I have been in years and years making these videos and so happy to have supportive and inspirational folks like you coming along with me .. as for next time .. it's the place that made me fall in love with history as a little girl .. can't wait to edit :)
Gosh, I remember some of those sewing needle packs from my childhood! Sewing is such an amazing skill to have. Thanks Lucy, this is so interesting. Good sewing needles are so difficult to get now.
Oh interestingly there's still one small company making needles in Redditch. It's called John James, they sell them at the museum and I believe online. You are right! I do embroidery and you wouldn't believe how many needles have bent and blunted on me - sadly all made thousands of miles away:'
@@throughlucyslens Thank Lucy, I was under the impression that they had outsourced to China, would love to get some genuine ones, so will look on line for them, thanks again!
I loved this! When I was 16 and wanted to learn how to sew, my grandmother gave me her collection of hand sewing needles that she used when she was a young mother (circa 1950s). They are all still in their original packaging, and every package notes that they were made in Redditch, England. My grandmother was raised by a single mother on a dairy farm in the US and, so far as I know, never once stepped foot in the UK, so I always vaguely wondered how she got hold of so many needles from so far away. Very few of her possessions from that period of her life were made overseas. It’s very cool to find an answer to that little mystery. Plus, your video brought back some happy memories of my grandma. I still use these needles all the time - I even brought them all with me when I immigrated to Australia - because they are such excellent quality. The quality of the needle matters a LOT if you do a lot of sewing; lower-quality needles bend easily, have a lot of friction when you push them through cloth, are hard to thread, and are not ergonomic to hold. But my English needles are extremely stiff, despite being very thin, and they are buttery smooth to sew with and thread. From what I have gathered, there are still a handful of manufacturers making modern needles that are on par with vintage English needles, but they can be hard to find (I never see them in physical shops, only in specialist online shops) and they are quite expensive - several times more expensive than what my grandmother paid for her needles, even after correcting for inflation.
I want to note that the other antique “made in England” product I inherited and use all the time is a set of G-clamps. They are SO much better than any other modern clamp I’ve tried, and I’ve tried quite a lot. So if you ever come across a G-clamp museum, I would love to see that, too, haha!
I got you! Thanks so much for sharing, you are right, I embroider and often needles that come are shockingly bad, bend and like you say get hot and cause too much friction. There is a company in Redditch called John James that still makes high quality needles, I believe they are quite reasonably priced. I am not sure if they ship abroad but it might be worth a look. The best needles I have are still my Moms old ones, some of them have even gone a bit rusty but nothing a good clean won't sort out. Absolutely loved reading your comments - gave me all the warm hugs :)
I’m in the middle of the US, and I have one of those needle books. I bought a large, fully packed 1930’s sewing basket at a thrift store here in Omaha Nebraska about 5 years ago and it contained one of those needle books you showed in the case! I have kept the contents of the basket intact, I just enjoy it, I go looking through it every once in a while. I’m fascinated by your video. I love history (and sewing, and thrifting!)
That is so amazing! Who would have thought and what a small world ... I love this so much, from Redditch to Omaha and still in a precious collection: amazing ❤️
Hi Lucy, it's Heather from Iowa USA. This was a perfect video!!! How random that you had no idea all of that it existed, just 10 miles from your home!!!!😮 I LOVE kitchy and random come upon these places that are right there all along ❤ As I've mentioned before my mom was always curious about life, our family genealogy and people. How we can touch the past, and the people, by learning, being quiet and always being respectful. When you think about just turning the door knob or the railing on the stairs. Just pausing to reflect. To think of any or all of those that have gone before, honors and acknowledging them, I feel, that in those spaces, they are alive just in the moment. What a gift!!! Here's a random side note, one day my grandma told us we were going for a ride. As per what we did on the weekends we would visit family members or just my grandparents friends. Usually me and I loved that!! Squirrel. So on one of the drives, no other info given to us. We ended up at the SaraLee factory and bakery!!! Totally random right!?! So we toured and learned ALOT. It was super neat! And before leaving, she bought a lot of bakery items. I still to this day don't how she knew that was even there, like early to mid 80's ok going to let you go. Love always your friend Heather from Iowa USA. And the SMELLS!!! We all joked that we were full from the smells! But rapidly receiving a bakery item!!! Amazing.
THE SARA LEE FACTORY? Omg!!! We used to be able to get Sara Lee chocolate gateaux here in the uk and it was my absolutely favourite cake - I dream of it! Sadly you can't get it here anymore. I am also a big fan of hostess cakes 🤣 I have a very sweet tooth. It was always my dream to go to a crisp (chip) factory ..'maybe one day! Absolutely agree about reflecting and appreciating the small things. Everything is made somewhere x
After sewing a medieval wedding dress in velvet for a friend, I kept one of the needles I found in her mum's pincushion. If you can have a favorite handsewing needle, that was mine. I used it for about 8 years, even brought it with me to Mexico when I moved here. I was gutted when it finally gave up. Never had one like it, and I've been sewing for 50 year. Now I go through a packet a year of what's available here, and dang if I don't still miss that one. Wish I could go back in time and grab a couple of packets of what was clearly a superior product. I'd definitely visit the museum too, I love charming old packaging!
I completely agree! My best embroidery needles are really old - top tip for you though (not sure where you are in the world) but there is a company called John James Needles that still produce their needles traditionally in Redditch - I believe you can order them online, they sell them in the shop and people come miles to get hold of them. They didn't seem too expensive either x
@@throughlucyslens Thank you, I just ordered some Bohin sharps, but I'll write it down if I ever see them offered somewhere. All you can find here is Pony :(
Love this, another good one Lucy! I was raised in Derbyshire so all of our history education at school focused on the industrial revolution, mills and manufacturing.
Thanks so much. This is a great piece for curious people. I love the UK and now I can visit again through you. I would definitely visit this great museum in person.
I love old packaging too - I have an old Ross beef burger package in a frame (in a sort of ironic way with the horse meaty thing) .. makes people double check and always starts a conversation!
that a good idea for the frame😀 I tendf to stick things like that in a sketchbook am going to be keeping, grea to look at everyone and awhile for inspiration 😀
Hello Lucy. I visited there several years ago. I'd seen the sign for years - I'd say decades - and often wondered what it was. So one day I decided to go and have a look. Like you, I was absolutely fascinated. I looked at the Abbey ruins, the visitors' centre and the museum and, also like you, I was almost alone. I suppose that a needle museum doesn't sound overly exciting but it is actually very interesting. It's definitely somewhere I'll always be happy that I took the time to visit.
I didn't know know about the Abbey, my husband would have loved to see the ruins as well as me. I forgot to say he found the needle museum as interesting as me. I haven't watched your videos for a while, but always enjoy them when they pop up on Utube.
I've been sewing and embroidering ever since I can remember, so when I saw this video it was so hard to save it until I had the time to sit and give it my full attention, another incredibly interesting video, Lucy! I'll have to double check some of the remaining packaging I have from both my grandmothers stashes but I seem to remember a lot of "Made in England" labels. I know I'll certainly be paying attention when I go to charity shops and browse the old sewing notions, the old stuff is SO much better quality than most of the new stuff today. "Thank you ancestors"... I couldn't have said it better myself!
Oh yes do let me know if any of them say Redditch, my Mom was a textiles student and she said she wrote to a needle factory in the 1970s and they sent her a whole box of needles in beautiful packages and like you says you just can't get needles like it anymore.
As a home dressmaker I certainly recognise the name Millward. I've seen it on so many needle packets over the years. What a delightful little place. Only in the UK would you get a ruined abbey thrown in as an after thought!
What an awesome place! As an ameuter sewist learning to hand sew historical clothing, I am devouring all I can about sewing history, and your video has helped me understand the history of it all so much more. I hadn’t even thought about how needles were made either. Thank you ancestors, indeed! They worked so hard and sacrificed so much just to survive and feed their families, and I will be forever grateful to them. I will also be more mindful of their efforts and struggles as I continue on my sewing journey. Loved the abbey as well. I find the history of the Church in England fascinating although not a follower of any Abrahamic religion myself. Thank you so much for taking us along on your journey. Looking forward to the next trip ❤!
Wow Lucy. Another brilliant insight. I’d never even wondered how needles were made. Loved the way you brought the information to life. So sad that so many risked their health and lives. I love the packaging too. Would love to see that. The abbey was interesting too ,could imagine what a great building it was . I think I better get a trip to your neck of the woods as you’ve opened so many places I would love to visit. I was originally from Cannock so I could combine a visit there. I wonder if there are any places worth visiting there. Thanks again, lovely lady. Looking forward to the next one xxx
Cannock Chase is so beautiful! I was there not long ago, we stopped on the way back from Great Yarmouth for a leg stretch. I will take a look if there are any hidden gems for me to explore :)
Thank you for sharing these small but yet significant places. I do not live in England, but I am slowly making a list of places I would like to visit. Your manner always builds enthusiasm, and curiosity for the viewers!
Thank you so much. I have wondered how needles were sharpened and smoothed so finely and also how the tiny thread hole got 'punched' in. I remember Mum had a beautiful needle folder which was how it was bought. Lucy you are a gem for hiding these places. Thanks and have a great week. =-)
Thank you. I can thank antiques road trip for this one - I couldn't wait to get there as soon as I saw it. I mean can you imagine how hard it must have been on your eyesight sharpening those tiny needles? You would have had to get so close with no face coverings. Scary stuff.
@@throughlucyslens Just found this on YT "Let's Tour the Singer Sewing Machine Plant in Scotland - Machinery..Men & Women making Masterpieces!" Wow the factory workers show what labouring work is in a factory.
Do you know, we lived not far from you in Northfield and now moved to Coventry - I wish I had seen your channel back when I was there! Your videos are right up our street and I only wish more people our age (well, all ages! We are 33) would explore these amazing treasures we have in the UK. It is so important not to let our history become forgotten and your channel is such a fantastic way of spreading the word in this digital world. Cheers!
Thank you so much! That's what I want to do - if people don't go, get interested, volunteer, explore these places will vanish, that makes me so sad! I'm often the youngest person by a long way on these visits and I'm not young by any sense of the word (my niece asked me if was alive at the fire of London today 🤣) shame we aren't neighbours anymore!
I think we're all guilty of not knowing or visiting interesting places close to home, this was so interesting and a beautiful place thank you for the visit I really enjoyed it 😊❤
My mother born in 1919 had several of those needle packets in her sewing box. I have one and it says made in England. I also love that industrial smell.
It's gorgeous isn't it - that smell. My Dad who is sadly no longer here had a garage and it always smelt of oil and woodchippings and "work" I just love it!
Thank you, my dress is from a place called Monki - years and years ago, I really love them as they are comfy even in warmer weather. And yes, who knew needles were so fascinating!
Wow Lucy I never heard of this place either. That was so interesting and I shall never look at another needle in the same way again. This was a real eye opener (pardon the pun) thank you so much for all the places you take me as I can’t go. As you say let’s be thankful to all the men and women of the past for what they gave us. 🥰
Thank you, Lucy, for another interesting day out. Love those bits of medieval tile at the Abby site. The needle museum was eye opening. I’d never have imagined making needles was so dangerous!
It's mad isn't it? I've been to another place today that you would never think anything of but was so dangerous! Making these videos has really opened my eyes too! I loved the tiles too, they are so beautiful :)
I love my embroidery and it so nice to see a museum dedicated to needles !!❤ this is fascinating !! Thank you again for succeeding another week, I literally get excited on a Sunday now ❤❤ xx
Very welcome! After 10 years of working myself to the bone making these videos is a great way to try and relax and get my life back .. I am so glad you like coming with me xx
Hahaha - I think they called Birmingham a City of Thousand Trades .. you can get most things here (except a bit of peace and quiet sometimes!) Hope you had a safe trip home. Wales is my 2nd home. xx
You are so welcome and your comment has really touched me, I love you coming with me and always reach out for a chat or to tell me where you would like to go x
Yes!!! How amazing is that? Certainly made in that area, a little fun fact I forgot to put in the video they named an area of Tokyo "Redditch" in the late 1800s so they could legitimately put "made in Redditch" on their needles to make them seem the best of the best!
Thanks for another great upload Lucy. I totally agree, I didn't realise how much work and danger went into making a needle. How sad to hear the pointers tale. If you think about it 90% of the world market is immense on any scale but in those days demand would be huge from a social aspect too. Back then generally clothing was patched and recycled in families many times over, that's a lot of sewing needles. Add to that embroidery and needle craft was the done thing, wowser 😮 I loved those medieval tiles too, how every now and then there was a splash of a bluey black piece. I would imagine a shade like that would have been extremely expensive and quite a wow factor back then.
Absolutely! The darker tiles would have pointed to it being a more "important" site. I do love my Tudor history but if ever got to meet Henry and Thomas Cromwell I'd have a sharp word about the dissolution of these beautiful places x
@@throughlucyslens totally, it's heartbreaking to see what were once magnificent works of art as the odd piece of pillar or wall . But testament to their workmanship that details remain. If you ever fancy travelling a bit further, I'd recommend the ruins at Holy Island for some breathtaking arches that still stand x
I love your little wanderings. My husband comes from your area, family lives in Clows Top and Kidder’ now. We visit a lot of the places around there when we visit but Bermondsey Abbey was one we didn’t make it to, so thank you for taking us there 😊
You are very welcome! We are so lucky aren't we? There are hidden things around every corner for our enjoyment! Near Kidderminster there is a nuclear bunker .. it's NEVER open with like 1 or 2 open days a year - I am DESPERATE to get down there!
Just got back from a wonderful day and experience here at the Forge Mill and the old Abbey ruins. Inspired by this video. Thanks so much Lucy. Plus, we got to enjoy the Star Wars exhibition on load to them for the school holidays. Well worth a visit.
Well that was a little hidden gem, wasn’t it? So interesting! I had no idea this was so nearby, or that so many needles were produced in one place. Side note, the buildings themselves are beautiful too
Gorgeous isn't it? Especially around the back where it gets a bit run down and original. Can't believe it's there - I must have driven past it literally hundreds of times without having a clue it was there - it's going to become a regular walk for Ru now though - it's lovely!
My aunt lived in Redditch, l visited there a few time's with my mother. Nice place as l remember. My other aunt lived in Great Barr , my cousin and her husband still do .
One of my ancestors worked there, I went to the museum a while ago and saw the spot she worked in and it had her name on the chair. Many other members of my family were fish hook makers in and around Redditch.
That's amazing! I was so impressed with how many files and archives there were to research your ancestors, that's so wonderful her name was on the chair - if I go back I'll look out for it x
@@throughlucyslens my mothers family have been in the Redditch area for generations but ironically it was one of my dads family that worked there. I don't know much about them other than the records because my granted died about 3 weeks before my dad was born in 1926. We have a very rare name so it's quite something when we come across anyone with the name.
You have the most beautiful spirit!! I really enjoy your channel. I never thought of how important the needle has been before your video. And the ruins are so impressive. Thank you!
Just Brilliant, Lucy!! I'd wondered off-and-on over the years, just how Needles were made - but have been too lazy to do any research, LoL!! Now I am hoping you'll return to this museum and show it more in-depth (esp when the machinery is working :) So much fascinating packaging that I didn't recognise (if I see any old Notions in an Op-Shop here Down Under, I usually buy it!) Being a short-lived Pointer sounds a bloody awful life; never mind the "better" pay!! If this was the last UK factory, I now wonder about the how and where of modern Needles - and the Workers ...... ???
Hey! Always lovely to hear from you, I think a lot of needles are made overseas in the Far East now .. BUT there is ONE factory left in Studley near Redditch still making needles today. I enjoy sewing and a lot of the needles available now are really quite rubbish, bendy and throw away. I will go back when the machinery is working for sure, I will wait until after the summer school holidays now but a job for the autumn :)
Lucy, another great video ❤. So far, from watching your video's we have visited the Birmingham back to backs and have booked to go to the Birmingham lock up this Friday comming. Will definately be paying the needle musuem a visit too! Keep up the good work 😊. Helen x
Ohh you will LOVE the Lock Up - it's absolutely flipping brilliant - let me know how you get on! It means such a lot I have inspired you, you all inspire me to keep going, so thank you x
@@throughlucyslens I will let you know yes! We absolutely LOVE your videos. Friday is supposed to be super hot so we will start on the upper floors and work down 😄 xx
@@helenstone9711 I'm writing this reply ON Friday currently sat in my pants because it's TOO DAMN HOT MOM! haha (that's a TMI image I know) Have a lovely day - and if you read this before if you stop off for coffee go inside the cloisters rather than sit outside - it's nice and cool in there x
@@throughlucyslens brilliant, will do! Of all the days to go when its this hot 🥵🥵. Never mind eh. I shall report back later, stay in those pants girls and try not to melt xx
I know .... thankfully I am self employed so sometimes my lunch breaks turn into a whole afternoon, I thought it was going to be ever such a short visit and ended up spending hours there - it was totally worth it!
Just had your channel pop up in my feed & love this! This museum is on my list for if I ever get back to the UK--a user of needles, love old industrial equipment & processes & appreciate the more out of the way sites. Thank you!
This is wonderful. Love the qualifications for workers--but the short lives of pointers: truly sad reality. You've done a fine job in presenting two fascinating sites to others. Thank you.
The qualifications made me smile too "good English, Scottish accent is okay" - cheeky beggars 🤣 I always love things that are so normal but so interesting. Thanks for coming with me xx
I too, live 10 minutes from there. I went a few months back when it was extremely cold and promised myself to go back when it's warmer. I didn't get to explore inside the buildings, but wandered around them,taking photographs with the intention of painting from them. I believe there is a charge to go inside , and now I've seen your wonderfully informative video I most definitely have to go back. Absolutely fascinating. Thanks Lucy.😊
It was £6 to go inside (£5.30 for concessions) and was absolutely worth it, I honestly thought I would spend an hour there max, in and out - and actually was there half a day, absolutely wonderful. It will create a beautiful painting too, it almost stands up on the horizon.
Hello gorgeous your looking nice thank you for your interesting program about needles as I did not know about how they were made and how many different needles there were made by for now all the best Fini xxxx
I can't imagine sat there hunched over day in, day out with bits of hot metal flying at your face and going into your lungs - absolutely don't know we are born!
I like that you visit places local to you. I suspect that you're discovering much more to do and see in your area now that you're actively looking for them. Those places need support and maybe a little talking up, which is what you're doing. I'm sure they appreciate it if they know about it. You're highlighting the local attractions. It's better, in my opinion, than if you were only going to the big estates and castles. They've already been done to death. The little obscure places are more interesting, and usually they have more of a connection with regular working class people.
Absolutely, I agree entirely, I am always on the hunt for leaflets about obscure attractions, you know the ones that look like they have been there gathering dust for years? They are always the best places. I like you, do love the Hampton Courts and the Edinburgh Castles - how can you not .. but as you say, done to death! The nicest thing about these museums is that they are normally always free or just a few pounds to enter too - again making them far more accessible. Last time I went to the Tower of London it was nearly £40 to get in! With a family that's a mortgage payment!
I learn something new every time you share a video! Definitely not silly, enjoying every one❤ I’d love to see what the high streets, where average people shopped or worked. If you have anything like that to share. I’m finding many of my ancestors were butchers or clothiers and hatters. Your videos have given me an idea of what their lives might have been like. Thanks you
You are so welcome, my family were gun polishers, sheet metal workers and on my Dads side grocers and barbers - I love family history and it's so fascinating finding little snippets x
A needle museum?! 😻😻😻 Honestly, no- you don’t really think about things like this until you are afforded the opportunity to learn about it, and I’m so glad I could see it. Loved learning about the workers, even if briefly. Do tell though, how did it smell?
I stumbled on this museum last summer - a little gem! And one of those questions you never knew you needed yep the answer to - how do they get the eye in a needle.
😊Thanks for sharing. Every time I read a book that took place before standard machine operation and needles or sewing was part of the story, I would wonder how they were made. I knew they were terribly expensive, then. We don't worry too much about a lost needle today.
Your comment has really made me smile, my Mom made clothes and she was frantic about lost needles - something to do with an old wives tale of getting stuck in someones artery - if we lost a needle the whole house was torn to pieces! But you are right we tend to think "oh well" if we lose small things these days as they cost pennies and there's always another one.
My sister and I used to hand sew doll clothes on our carpeted bedroom floor. We would lose our needles and just pull out a new one. We often got poked by them walking barefoot over the carpet. We were not allowed to use our Mom's "good Kirby sweeper". She didn't want holes in the hose. Memories.
I'm desperate to go but the opening hours never match with my work schedule which is really frustrating! I am getting into the season where I have some weekends off so hopefully over the summer I will be able to go - desperate to go the catacombs in the Jewellery Quarter too!
Lucy your commentary is so engaging..really enjoyed this..we lived in Redditch for a short time, I would have loved to have seen that Abbey, we met some lovely people tho X
Yes the Redditch folk are lovely! It always amazes me how the accent slightly changes too even though on the map it's so close to Birmingham and many of the original residents were people who were "moved out" during the slum clearances to the "new town" they built.
Thank you for another interesting video I’m just sat here thinking what it was like when the sewing machine was invented what a boom that must have been I have a vintage singer in my attic I have no idea how it works but I can imagine the change it made when they were invented
Thanks for the video. I will be in Moreton in Marsh and Worcester in September. (From Texas) Unfortunately I won't have access to a car and would take too long by train and bus and walking. I love checking out the wonderful little museums in England
You will have the most wonderful time there, so beautiful and lots of civil war history. If you visit Worcester itself the Greyfrairs house and Tudor museum is very nice, and of course King John and Prince Arthur in the cathedral x
Thanks Lucy , am really enjoying your channel. Looking forward to discovering places in the midlands and northern parts of the UK! I watched Back to Black. MEH…I was disappointed. Tonight I’m going to watch Nowhere Boy…..another musical group I absolutely adore! I hope they dont muck it up! Afterwards, am sure I will have to watch a Bugs Bunny Cartoon. Ha ha. Enjoy a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, or a hot chocolate from me with big big hugs, 🤗🇺🇸Linda C
Thank you so much Linda! I went to make a video today and I treated myself to a ham and cheese toastie in the cafe - I never do that .. so THANK YOU! Yes, Back to Black .. meh right? It was almost like they were too scared to show it how it really was. Nowhere Boy though - OMG I LOVED THAT. I gobble up anything Beatles Related but I thought Nowhere Boy was really beautiful and I had a good cry ... I guess you did need a bit of Bugs to cheer you up afterwards x
that was bloody amazing Lucy. i really enjoyed that and never knew or thought how needles were made. i remember mymum having different sizes and shapes for sewing, th museum should advertise itself in the local newspapers( do they still exist?) and drum up more patronage. love from new zealand
Hey! Yes, I never thought about how many different types of needles there were really until I came here but it seems they are pretty infinite! Hmm you know that has gotten me thinking - I don't think we do have local newspapers really anymore, it's all online, that's quite sad isn't it?
Interesting place and it is so true we sometimes travel hours to go visit somewhere else but don't know what is on our doorstep And Henry's great tantrum has left loads of ruined abbeys, I'm lucky to have a few big ones with a lot still standing in my area of north Yorkshire
As soon as I saw the tit!e of this video, I was taken back to childhood and being taught to see and embroider. Thank you again for such an interesting video Lucy 😊
Hey Sally! Good to hear from you! How absolutely lovely! My Mother taught me how to sew too, I still remember her big wooden sewing box and enjoying looking through the thimbles and needles :)
Good to hear from you, too, Lucy. As an add-on to my previous comment, I was visiting a 92 year old yesterday and told her about your video. She was most interested as she had worked in a factory as a teenager and young woman who made badges for schools and all kinds of organisations. We had a long conversation about your video and the way and type of needles that had been used in her factory. I wanted to share this with you and others in this community. Your videos have brought joy not just to me and others here but also those who I share with, and I am sure others who share too. Forgive me for this long reply, but like so many have said here, you do bring so much joy.
This has brought a tear to my eye! I miss taking to my Nan about her life growing up so so much! Thank you! I've enjoyed sharing oral history all my life and this means so much. Please send her my love xxx
Thank you Lucy, that was really interesting. I'm in Yorkshire so not likely I'd have ever visited. It was a very welcome distraction to helping a cousin in Ukraine with her pos husband. She doesn't speak much English or if have sent her it to watch too.
Oh gosh, are they okay? I have a friend that runs the humanitarian aid runs over with food, clothes and vehicles. She is a wonderful woman. I hope it gives her a short few moments of peace and relaxation in a brutal world x
Oh wow! That's amazing, they could have worked in this factory or many of the others in the area. They have loads of records there, I wonder if you rang they might be able to pull some out for you?
@@throughlucyslensMight be worth asking. I have connections to Chance’s Glass in Smethwick too, I know there are some employee records for them, they were at Smethwick Library last time I looked. They seem to be having trouble knowing what to do with that old factory.
Hi Lucy! So glad you got yourself a ham & cheese toastie and were able to sit a bit and enjoy! Oh my goodness…..I watched Nowhere Boy…bawled my eyes out!😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I thought it was really really good, and the casting and music was superb! I hope you are enjoying your week so far, perhaps contemplating where your next tour is going to be? I was thinking, have you ever visited the Camden area in London - Amy Winehouse’s hood when she was growing up also she performed many of her gigs there yes? I’ve seen the statue that was built to memorialize her. In a video, not in 3D. I thought it was AWFUL, it didn’t depict her at all….my opinion. Have a great week, take care!💕Linda
It's great isn't it? My favourite Beatles related film will always be Backbeat though 🥺🥺 I've seen it about 100 times, it's a real comfort movie for me! I've been to Camden many times. It was a bit of a hangout for me in my early 20s but not been for years!! Should go back :)
Thanks for sharing. Nice video. Did you know at the bottom of Redditch Moons Moat was witch territory? The monks and the witches obviously stayed well away from each other!
Where on earth did that place come from? Have to say I loved this video and I’m going to have to go and see it now! I also watched a good 8 minutes of adverts… I’m that nice! X
Hahaha, very nice indeeed! I literally saw it on Antiques Roadtrip and couldn't believe it was there - it's so nice, only £6 to get in, and if you don't want to go inside the museum you can still look around the grounds and use the cafe for free (cafe is really nice .. that's where we should meet up!)
I love the little odd glimpses into the everyday life necessities of the past. We have so much info about the upper classes, but so little on the everyday person. It really makes things like this little needle museum so precious.
I totally agree :) It's wonderful isn't it? They are the type of places I like to find!
@@throughlucyslens It truly is, thank you so much for sharing your adventures!
I remember my Nana having those cardboard needle packs !! They had little Victorian girls on and they were so beautiful xx
They are gorgeous aren't they?
People don’t realize how hard it was to even get needles and how relatively expensive metal needles were. During colonial times in the States, housewives jealously guarded her metal needles. If she dropped one the world ground to a halt as she scoured the floor for it. They were far superior to the cheaper bone needles, expensive, and could be hard to come by if you were living rurally. Interesting museum, added to my England Museum list!!!
This is amazing! I can't imagine sewing with a bone needle but I bet it had its quirks. My Mom was also very precious about her needles - like you say good ones were expensive x
Who knew needles
could be so fascinating? Thanks Lucy. Another belter. Much appreciated.
Thanks lovely, really appreciate it - still laughing you noticed Scooby Doo .. wondered if anyone would! ;)
@@throughlucyslens It was always the janitor that did it! 😂
@@nellafella Pesky fella.
Amazing how much hard work went into such small objects that would taken for granted. Thanks for introducing us to these people who basically gave their lives for our convenience.
Yes! That's how I think about it too, and there are still people out there doing that today. We are very lucky even on days when I think I'm not - gives you a reality check x
HELLO Lucy - your intro always makes me smile because I know your happy face is about to introduce us to something absolutely fascinating and yet again, you didn't disappoint ! What a brilliant place, and you are correct - I never thought about how needles are made or how many types there are, even the points of darts. BTW, you do NOT make 'silly little videos' - they are brilliant and so interesting and you make them all the more enjoyable by your enthusiasm . Thanks Lucy for finding this place for us - whatever will you unearth next time ! ??? Take special care 🙂
Thank you so much Michael - it's quite funny a "friend" (ahem) made a comment about my "silly little videos" the other day so it was a little dig to her .. not that she will ever watch them, because they are silly to her see? I am happier than I have been in years and years making these videos and so happy to have supportive and inspirational folks like you coming along with me .. as for next time .. it's the place that made me fall in love with history as a little girl .. can't wait to edit :)
@@throughlucyslens I am excited to see what made you fall in love with history..........intriguing mmmmm
Gosh, I remember some of those sewing needle packs from my childhood! Sewing is such an amazing skill to have. Thanks Lucy, this is so interesting. Good sewing needles are so difficult to get now.
Oh interestingly there's still one small company making needles in Redditch. It's called John James, they sell them at the museum and I believe online. You are right! I do embroidery and you wouldn't believe how many needles have bent and blunted on me - sadly all made thousands of miles away:'
@@throughlucyslens Thank Lucy, I was under the impression that they had outsourced to China, would love to get some genuine ones, so will look on line for them, thanks again!
I use John James needles. Really good quality.
I remembered them too, in particular a basket with flowers popped into my memory 😁
I loved this! When I was 16 and wanted to learn how to sew, my grandmother gave me her collection of hand sewing needles that she used when she was a young mother (circa 1950s). They are all still in their original packaging, and every package notes that they were made in Redditch, England.
My grandmother was raised by a single mother on a dairy farm in the US and, so far as I know, never once stepped foot in the UK, so I always vaguely wondered how she got hold of so many needles from so far away. Very few of her possessions from that period of her life were made overseas. It’s very cool to find an answer to that little mystery. Plus, your video brought back some happy memories of my grandma.
I still use these needles all the time - I even brought them all with me when I immigrated to Australia - because they are such excellent quality. The quality of the needle matters a LOT if you do a lot of sewing; lower-quality needles bend easily, have a lot of friction when you push them through cloth, are hard to thread, and are not ergonomic to hold. But my English needles are extremely stiff, despite being very thin, and they are buttery smooth to sew with and thread.
From what I have gathered, there are still a handful of manufacturers making modern needles that are on par with vintage English needles, but they can be hard to find (I never see them in physical shops, only in specialist online shops) and they are quite expensive - several times more expensive than what my grandmother paid for her needles, even after correcting for inflation.
I want to note that the other antique “made in England” product I inherited and use all the time is a set of G-clamps. They are SO much better than any other modern clamp I’ve tried, and I’ve tried quite a lot. So if you ever come across a G-clamp museum, I would love to see that, too, haha!
I got you! Thanks so much for sharing, you are right, I embroider and often needles that come are shockingly bad, bend and like you say get hot and cause too much friction. There is a company in Redditch called John James that still makes high quality needles, I believe they are quite reasonably priced. I am not sure if they ship abroad but it might be worth a look. The best needles I have are still my Moms old ones, some of them have even gone a bit rusty but nothing a good clean won't sort out. Absolutely loved reading your comments - gave me all the warm hugs :)
Oh WOW Bordesley house.. that's a great rabbit hole dive to read about.. haunted with a terribly sad tale..
... and i've just spent half an hour down the rabbit hole! Thank you. God I love learning! haha
I’m in the middle of the US, and I have one of those needle books. I bought a large, fully packed 1930’s sewing basket at a thrift store here in Omaha Nebraska about 5 years ago and it contained one of those needle books you showed in the case! I have kept the contents of the basket intact, I just enjoy it, I go looking through it every once in a while. I’m fascinated by your video. I love history (and sewing, and thrifting!)
That is so amazing! Who would have thought and what a small world ... I love this so much, from Redditch to Omaha and still in a precious collection: amazing ❤️
Another interesting vlogg from a dear lady ❤😊 who dues a great job always 👏 😊
Thanks so much! Thanks for always watching, I look out for your comments, always make me smile ❤️
I grew up in Redditch and had never looked around this museum until I watched your video today! What a lovely visit 😊😊
Wow that's crazy - but understandable as it's so hidden away behind the crem, why would you go down there if you didn't know it existed?
Hi Lucy, it's Heather from Iowa USA. This was a perfect video!!! How random that you had no idea all of that it existed, just 10 miles from your home!!!!😮 I LOVE kitchy and random come upon these places that are right there all along ❤ As I've mentioned before my mom was always curious about life, our family genealogy and people. How we can touch the past, and the people, by learning, being quiet and always being respectful. When you think about just turning the door knob or the railing on the stairs. Just pausing to reflect. To think of any or all of those that have gone before, honors and acknowledging them, I feel, that in those spaces, they are alive just in the moment. What a gift!!!
Here's a random side note, one day my grandma told us we were going for a ride. As per what we did on the weekends we would visit family members or just my grandparents friends. Usually me and I loved that!! Squirrel. So on one of the drives, no other info given to us. We ended up at the SaraLee factory and bakery!!! Totally random right!?! So we toured and learned ALOT. It was super neat! And before leaving, she bought a lot of bakery items. I still to this day don't how she knew that was even there, like early to mid 80's ok going to let you go. Love always your friend Heather from Iowa USA. And the SMELLS!!! We all joked that we were full from the smells! But rapidly receiving a bakery item!!! Amazing.
THE SARA LEE FACTORY? Omg!!! We used to be able to get Sara Lee chocolate gateaux here in the uk and it was my absolutely favourite cake - I dream of it! Sadly you can't get it here anymore. I am also a big fan of hostess cakes 🤣 I have a very sweet tooth. It was always my dream to go to a crisp (chip) factory ..'maybe one day! Absolutely agree about reflecting and appreciating the small things. Everything is made somewhere x
After sewing a medieval wedding dress in velvet for a friend, I kept one of the needles I found in her mum's pincushion. If you can have a favorite handsewing needle, that was mine. I used it for about 8 years, even brought it with me to Mexico when I moved here. I was gutted when it finally gave up. Never had one like it, and I've been sewing for 50 year.
Now I go through a packet a year of what's available here, and dang if I don't still miss that one. Wish I could go back in time and grab a couple of packets of what was clearly a superior product. I'd definitely visit the museum too, I love charming old packaging!
I completely agree! My best embroidery needles are really old - top tip for you though (not sure where you are in the world) but there is a company called John James Needles that still produce their needles traditionally in Redditch - I believe you can order them online, they sell them in the shop and people come miles to get hold of them. They didn't seem too expensive either x
@@throughlucyslens Thank you, I just ordered some Bohin sharps, but I'll write it down if I ever see them offered somewhere. All you can find here is Pony :(
Ok. I clicked on this just out of curiosity. Who knew it would be so interesting! Thank you. I enjoyed that. Looking forward to more 👍
So welcome Julian, look forward to you travelling with me in the future ❤️
Love this, another good one Lucy! I was raised in Derbyshire so all of our history education at school focused on the industrial revolution, mills and manufacturing.
Thanks so much. This is a great piece for curious people. I love the UK and now I can visit again through you. I would definitely visit this great museum in person.
So lovely to have you travelling with me!
What a hidden gem, I doubt many people have thought how are needles made, thank you Lucy another great video 😊❤😊
Very welcome, it was a really lucky find I feel :)
The graphic design nerd in me LOVES seeing old packaging 🥰 and the sewing nerd in me would live to explore there!❤
I love old packaging too - I have an old Ross beef burger package in a frame (in a sort of ironic way with the horse meaty thing) .. makes people double check and always starts a conversation!
that a good idea for the frame😀 I tendf to stick things like that in a sketchbook am going to be keeping, grea to look at everyone and awhile for inspiration 😀
Hello Lucy. I visited there several years ago. I'd seen the sign for years - I'd say decades - and often wondered what it was. So one day I decided to go and have a look. Like you, I was absolutely fascinated. I looked at the Abbey ruins, the visitors' centre and the museum and, also like you, I was almost alone. I suppose that a needle museum doesn't sound overly exciting but it is actually very interesting. It's definitely somewhere I'll always be happy that I took the time to visit.
Yeah I think the problem people think "needles??" But like a lot of every day objects so much goes into it and they are so special x
I didn't know know about the Abbey, my husband would have loved to see the ruins as well as me. I forgot to say he found the needle museum as interesting as me. I haven't watched your videos for a while, but always enjoy them when they pop up on Utube.
Thank you for watching, I appreciate it so much, say hi to your husband too :)
I sew for a living, so this was of particular interest to me. And I love living museums!
That's amazing! I would love to be talented enough to turn a craft like needlecraft into a career. I love living museums too - the best kind!
Very interesting! I had no idea how needles were made or where. Thanks for sharing!
Very welcome! I'm ashamed to say neither did I until a week ago. As an avid embroiderer I really should have!
I loved all of that, thank you Lucy, especially the tiled mosaic floor ☺👍
Beautiful isn't it, I couldn't believe it was still there all those years and still looking bright and beautiful x
@@throughlucyslens It is amazing, I could spend quite some time looking at every piece of tile ☺x
I've been sewing and embroidering ever since I can remember, so when I saw this video it was so hard to save it until I had the time to sit and give it my full attention, another incredibly interesting video, Lucy! I'll have to double check some of the remaining packaging I have from both my grandmothers stashes but I seem to remember a lot of "Made in England" labels. I know I'll certainly be paying attention when I go to charity shops and browse the old sewing notions, the old stuff is SO much better quality than most of the new stuff today.
"Thank you ancestors"... I couldn't have said it better myself!
Oh yes do let me know if any of them say Redditch, my Mom was a textiles student and she said she wrote to a needle factory in the 1970s and they sent her a whole box of needles in beautiful packages and like you says you just can't get needles like it anymore.
@@JillofAllTrades-inMI I'm going to watch out for these, too. Great plan! 😃
As a home dressmaker I certainly recognise the name Millward. I've seen it on so many needle packets over the years. What a delightful little place. Only in the UK would you get a ruined abbey thrown in as an after thought!
Haha, right? Not even the main event but here's a medieval abbey .. we are very very lucky!
Thank you much for another fantastic tour!
You are so welcome, thank you for coming with me :)
What an awesome place! As an ameuter sewist learning to hand sew historical clothing, I am devouring all I can about sewing history, and your video has helped me understand the history of it all so much more. I hadn’t even thought about how needles were made either. Thank you ancestors, indeed! They worked so hard and sacrificed so much just to survive and feed their families, and I will be forever grateful to them. I will also be more mindful of their efforts and struggles as I continue on my sewing journey. Loved the abbey as well. I find the history of the Church in England fascinating although not a follower of any Abrahamic religion myself. Thank you so much for taking us along on your journey. Looking forward to the next trip ❤!
Wow Lucy. Another brilliant insight. I’d never even wondered how needles were made. Loved the way you brought the information to life. So sad that so many risked their health and lives.
I love the packaging too. Would love to see that.
The abbey was interesting too ,could imagine what a great building it was .
I think I better get a trip to your neck of the woods as you’ve opened so many places I would love to visit. I was originally from Cannock so I could combine a visit there. I wonder if there are any places worth visiting there.
Thanks again, lovely lady. Looking forward to the next one xxx
Cannock Chase is so beautiful! I was there not long ago, we stopped on the way back from Great Yarmouth for a leg stretch. I will take a look if there are any hidden gems for me to explore :)
Another vlogg which is interesting always a blessed happy utube lady have a great 👍 life always
Thank you darling, you too. X
Thank you for sharing these small but yet significant places. I do not live in England, but I am slowly making a list of places I would like to visit. Your manner always builds enthusiasm, and curiosity for the viewers!
Thank you so much, there's so much here you will be spoiled for choice! I really do appreciate your kindness.
Thanks Lucy, that was very interesting, and I too did not realise how much work went into needles.
It's crazy isn't it ? One of those things you would never think about!
Thank you so much. I have wondered how needles were sharpened and smoothed so finely and also how the tiny thread hole got 'punched' in. I remember Mum had a beautiful needle folder which was how it was bought. Lucy you are a gem for hiding these places. Thanks and have a great week. =-)
Thank you. I can thank antiques road trip for this one - I couldn't wait to get there as soon as I saw it. I mean can you imagine how hard it must have been on your eyesight sharpening those tiny needles? You would have had to get so close with no face coverings. Scary stuff.
@@throughlucyslens Just found this on YT "Let's Tour the Singer Sewing Machine Plant in Scotland - Machinery..Men & Women making Masterpieces!" Wow the factory workers show what labouring work is in a factory.
Thank you for the tour.I love history also.
You are very welcome, lovely to have you travel with me ❤️
Thanks for another great video, Lucy, and bringing awareness to an often overlooked part of our social history!
You are so welcome: I love finding this stuff out for you (and me!)
Do you know, we lived not far from you in Northfield and now moved to Coventry - I wish I had seen your channel back when I was there! Your videos are right up our street and I only wish more people our age (well, all ages! We are 33) would explore these amazing treasures we have in the UK. It is so important not to let our history become forgotten and your channel is such a fantastic way of spreading the word in this digital world. Cheers!
Thank you so much! That's what I want to do - if people don't go, get interested, volunteer, explore these places will vanish, that makes me so sad! I'm often the youngest person by a long way on these visits and I'm not young by any sense of the word (my niece asked me if was alive at the fire of London today 🤣) shame we aren't neighbours anymore!
I think we're all guilty of not knowing or visiting interesting places close to home, this was so interesting and a beautiful place thank you for the visit I really enjoyed it 😊❤
Thank you so much! Honestly, you wouldn't believe the places I have found since I started looking. It's amazing! Thanks for coming with me x
that was very interesting x 2 😃 thank you again lucy 😀😘
Very welcome, who would have thought needles were so interesting? Not me 4 days ago! I'm glad I went for a look!
That was a hidden gem 📌🧷💉
Absolutely ❤️
Thank you for your videos. I love watching them. Just perfect!!
So kind; thank you so much ❤️
So glad I found this channel Lucy, always look forward to the videos
Thank you so much, it's the highlight of my week going out and finding somewhere interesting to share. Lovely to have you with me x
@@joannewall5499 ,
I'm glad I found the channel, too. Way cool.
This was so very interesting. Just things we take for granted. Thanks for opening my mind and peeking my curiosity. Love your enthusiasm.
Thank you: I always get very excited about normal things :) thanks for coming with me x
Another great video. I love your visits. looking forward to the next one.
Thank you for coming with me! x
My mother born in 1919 had several of those needle packets in her sewing box. I have one and it says made in England. I also love that industrial smell.
It's gorgeous isn't it - that smell. My Dad who is sadly no longer here had a garage and it always smelt of oil and woodchippings and "work" I just love it!
love this type of museum. I hadn't realized the breadth of needles either... (Love your dress!!!!)
Thank you, my dress is from a place called Monki - years and years ago, I really love them as they are comfy even in warmer weather. And yes, who knew needles were so fascinating!
Wow Lucy I never heard of this place either. That was so interesting and I shall never look at another needle in the same way again. This was a real eye opener (pardon the pun) thank you so much for all the places you take me as I can’t go. As you say let’s be thankful to all the men and women of the past for what they gave us. 🥰
Absolutely, I can't help but think of them all whenever I go to places like this, I love having you travel with me Tracey :)
@@throughlucyslens awww that’s very kind of you Lucy thank you 🥰
Thank you, Lucy, for another interesting day out. Love those bits of medieval tile at the Abby site. The needle museum was eye opening. I’d never have imagined making needles was so dangerous!
It's mad isn't it? I've been to another place today that you would never think anything of but was so dangerous! Making these videos has really opened my eyes too! I loved the tiles too, they are so beautiful :)
Thank you Lucy. What a fascinating place. Really enjoyed this. Great video ❤
Thanks you two, really appreciate it, all these places hidden in plain site x
Your silly little videos are my favourite and I looooove them 🤭🫶🏼
Aww bless you - they are MY favourite too!! Just sat down to narrate tomorrows and I get so pumped and excited about it!
@@throughlucyslens don’t ever change! You can see how passionate you are and how much you enjoy it 💪🏼 can’t wait to see it!!!
Love the needle museum went to visit in the late 90s so interesting.
Brilliant isn't it? Love finding places like this: amazing.
I love my embroidery and it so nice to see a museum dedicated to needles !!❤ this is fascinating !! Thank you again for succeeding another week, I literally get excited on a Sunday now ❤❤ xx
You know I get excited too because it means I get to chat with you all !! I love embroidery too, I mean I am not the best but I enjoy it.
love you Lucy as I work so hard I don't get out and about but watching your vids helps tremendously
Very welcome! After 10 years of working myself to the bone making these videos is a great way to try and relax and get my life back .. I am so glad you like coming with me xx
I've been there many years ago, it was very interesting.
Had needles driving through B/ham earlier today heading home to Wales - know where to get a good set of darts ! Made it really interesting, 2 in one !
Hahaha - I think they called Birmingham a City of Thousand Trades .. you can get most things here (except a bit of peace and quiet sometimes!) Hope you had a safe trip home. Wales is my 2nd home. xx
@@throughlucyslens 2nd home - family?
I love your videos. I am a poorly person and dont go out much at all. You take me places, so thsnk you very much
You are so welcome and your comment has really touched me, I love you coming with me and always reach out for a chat or to tell me where you would like to go x
Thank you, what an amazing museum! Just been reading about the Rajah Quilt, made in 1841, probably with needles made in that factory.
Yes!!! How amazing is that? Certainly made in that area, a little fun fact I forgot to put in the video they named an area of Tokyo "Redditch" in the late 1800s so they could legitimately put "made in Redditch" on their needles to make them seem the best of the best!
Thanks for another great upload Lucy. I totally agree, I didn't realise how much work and danger went into making a needle. How sad to hear the pointers tale. If you think about it 90% of the world market is immense on any scale but in those days demand would be huge from a social aspect too. Back then generally clothing was patched and recycled in families many times over, that's a lot of sewing needles. Add to that embroidery and needle craft was the done thing, wowser 😮 I loved those medieval tiles too, how every now and then there was a splash of a bluey black piece. I would imagine a shade like that would have been extremely expensive and quite a wow factor back then.
Absolutely! The darker tiles would have pointed to it being a more "important" site. I do love my Tudor history but if ever got to meet Henry and Thomas Cromwell I'd have a sharp word about the dissolution of these beautiful places x
@@throughlucyslens totally, it's heartbreaking to see what were once magnificent works of art as the odd piece of pillar or wall . But testament to their workmanship that details remain. If you ever fancy travelling a bit further, I'd recommend the ruins at Holy Island for some breathtaking arches that still stand x
I love your little wanderings. My husband comes from your area, family lives in Clows Top and Kidder’ now. We visit a lot of the places around there when we visit but Bermondsey Abbey was one we didn’t make it to, so thank you for taking us there 😊
You are very welcome! We are so lucky aren't we? There are hidden things around every corner for our enjoyment! Near Kidderminster there is a nuclear bunker .. it's NEVER open with like 1 or 2 open days a year - I am DESPERATE to get down there!
Thank you so interesting 😊
You are so welcome :)
What an unusual journey! Loved it!!❤️🇨🇦
Thank you for coming with me ❤️
Just got back from a wonderful day and experience here at the Forge Mill and the old Abbey ruins. Inspired by this video. Thanks so much Lucy. Plus, we got to enjoy the Star Wars exhibition on load to them for the school holidays. Well worth a visit.
Ohhh that must be brand new! How cool and what a brilliant thing to put on for the kids! I Am going to go have to go back and see it now! :)
@@throughlucyslens well worth the 2nd visit. Lots of original items that were used in the films, all owned by a private collector.
Well that was a little hidden gem, wasn’t it? So interesting!
I had no idea this was so nearby, or that so many needles were produced in one place. Side note, the buildings themselves are beautiful too
Gorgeous isn't it? Especially around the back where it gets a bit run down and original. Can't believe it's there - I must have driven past it literally hundreds of times without having a clue it was there - it's going to become a regular walk for Ru now though - it's lovely!
My aunt lived in Redditch, l visited there a few time's with my mother. Nice place as l remember. My other aunt lived in Great Barr , my cousin and her husband still do .
Yes Redditch is a nice place: the ring road is another story though -
I dread driving on that road 🤣
One of my ancestors worked there, I went to the museum a while ago and saw the spot she worked in and it had her name on the chair. Many other members of my family were fish hook makers in and around Redditch.
That's amazing! I was so impressed with how many files and archives there were to research your ancestors, that's so wonderful her name was on the chair - if I go back I'll look out for it x
@@throughlucyslens my mothers family have been in the Redditch area for generations but ironically it was one of my dads family that worked there. I don't know much about them other than the records because my granted died about 3 weeks before my dad was born in 1926. We have a very rare name so it's quite something when we come across anyone with the name.
Grandad not granted,
You have the most beautiful spirit!!
I really enjoy your channel.
I never thought of how important the needle has been before your video.
And the ruins are so impressive.
Thank you!
You are so welcome, and thank you, I love finding these places and sharing them with your all ❤️
Just Brilliant, Lucy!! I'd wondered off-and-on over the years, just how Needles were made - but have been too lazy to do any research, LoL!! Now I am hoping you'll return to this museum and show it more in-depth (esp when the machinery is working :) So much fascinating packaging that I didn't recognise (if I see any old Notions in an Op-Shop here Down Under, I usually buy it!) Being a short-lived Pointer sounds a bloody awful life; never mind the "better" pay!! If this was the last UK factory, I now wonder about the how and where of modern Needles - and the Workers ...... ???
Hey! Always lovely to hear from you, I think a lot of needles are made overseas in the Far East now .. BUT there is ONE factory left in Studley near Redditch still making needles today. I enjoy sewing and a lot of the needles available now are really quite rubbish, bendy and throw away. I will go back when the machinery is working for sure, I will wait until after the summer school holidays now but a job for the autumn :)
Loved it. And well done for bringing it to your audience. I had heard of the Needle Museum but not the Abbey.
You are so welcome, thanks for your kind words :)
So interesting…thank you 😊
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you ❤️
Lucy, another great video ❤. So far, from watching your video's we have visited the Birmingham back to backs and have booked to go to the Birmingham lock up this Friday comming. Will definately be paying the needle musuem a visit too! Keep up the good work 😊. Helen x
Ohh you will LOVE the Lock Up - it's absolutely flipping brilliant - let me know how you get on! It means such a lot I have inspired you, you all inspire me to keep going, so thank you x
@@throughlucyslens I will let you know yes! We absolutely LOVE your videos. Friday is supposed to be super hot so we will start on the upper floors and work down 😄 xx
@@helenstone9711 I'm writing this reply ON Friday currently sat in my pants because it's TOO DAMN HOT MOM! haha (that's a TMI image I know) Have a lovely day - and if you read this before if you stop off for coffee go inside the cloisters rather than sit outside - it's nice and cool in there x
@@throughlucyslens brilliant, will do! Of all the days to go when its this hot 🥵🥵. Never mind eh. I shall report back later, stay in those pants girls and try not to melt xx
@@throughlucyslens It was amazing, loved it! Only 2 other people in there so nice and quiet to look around 🙂 x
That was a good use of a lunch break :) Thanks for the interesting video. :)
I know .... thankfully I am self employed so sometimes my lunch breaks turn into a whole afternoon, I thought it was going to be ever such a short visit and ended up spending hours there - it was totally worth it!
Just had your channel pop up in my feed & love this! This museum is on my list for if I ever get back to the UK--a user of needles, love old industrial equipment & processes & appreciate the more out of the way sites. Thank you!
You are so welcome. I love finding them out and exploring. Thank you for coming with me x
This is wonderful. Love the qualifications for workers--but the short lives of pointers: truly sad reality. You've done a fine job in presenting two fascinating sites to others. Thank you.
The qualifications made me smile too "good English, Scottish accent is okay" - cheeky beggars 🤣 I always love things that are so normal but so interesting. Thanks for coming with me xx
I too, live 10 minutes from there. I went a few months back when it was extremely cold and promised myself to go back when it's warmer. I didn't get to explore inside the buildings, but wandered around them,taking photographs with the intention of painting from them. I believe there is a charge to go inside , and now I've seen your wonderfully informative video I most definitely have to go back. Absolutely fascinating. Thanks Lucy.😊
It was £6 to go inside (£5.30 for concessions) and was absolutely worth it, I honestly thought I would spend an hour there max, in and out - and actually was there half a day, absolutely wonderful. It will create a beautiful painting too, it almost stands up on the horizon.
Hello gorgeous your looking nice thank you for your interesting program about needles as I did not know about how they were made and how many different needles there were made by for now all the best Fini xxxx
Hey Fini, thank you :)
Thanks you that was lovely from a beautiful lady 💕 Fini xxxx
Great video, Thank you for showing this, fascinating history.
Very welcome, appreciate your kindness ❤️
Amazing Lucy! We honestly don’t know we have been born do we, especially learning about the “Pointers”. Those poor buggers 😢
I can't imagine sat there hunched over day in, day out with bits of hot metal flying at your face and going into your lungs - absolutely don't know we are born!
I like that you visit places local to you. I suspect that you're discovering much more to do and see in your area now that you're actively looking for them. Those places need support and maybe a little talking up, which is what you're doing. I'm sure they appreciate it if they know about it. You're highlighting the local attractions. It's better, in my opinion, than if you were only going to the big estates and castles. They've already been done to death. The little obscure places are more interesting, and usually they have more of a connection with regular working class people.
Absolutely, I agree entirely, I am always on the hunt for leaflets about obscure attractions, you know the ones that look like they have been there gathering dust for years? They are always the best places. I like you, do love the Hampton Courts and the Edinburgh Castles - how can you not .. but as you say, done to death! The nicest thing about these museums is that they are normally always free or just a few pounds to enter too - again making them far more accessible. Last time I went to the Tower of London it was nearly £40 to get in! With a family that's a mortgage payment!
I learn something new every time you share a video! Definitely not silly, enjoying every one❤ I’d love to see what the high streets, where average people shopped or worked. If you have anything like that to share. I’m finding many of my ancestors were butchers or clothiers and hatters. Your videos have given me an idea of what their lives might have been like. Thanks you
You are so welcome, my family were gun polishers, sheet metal workers and on my Dads side grocers and barbers - I love family history and it's so fascinating finding little snippets x
A needle museum?!
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Honestly, no- you don’t really think about things like this until you are afforded the opportunity to learn about it, and I’m so glad I could see it.
Loved learning about the workers, even if briefly.
Do tell though, how did it smell?
It smelt like oil, and peat and hard work, reminded me of my Dads garage!
@@throughlucyslens I can imagine it! (My dad’s garage, too :) )
I stumbled on this museum last summer - a little gem! And one of those questions you never knew you needed yep the answer to - how do they get the eye in a needle.
Right? I had honestly never thought about it and now I know I'll never look at a needle in the same way again :)
😊Thanks for sharing. Every time I read a book that took place before standard machine operation and needles or sewing was part of the story, I would wonder how they were made. I knew they were terribly expensive, then. We don't worry too much about a lost needle today.
Your comment has really made me smile, my Mom made clothes and she was frantic about lost needles - something to do with an old wives tale of getting stuck in someones artery - if we lost a needle the whole house was torn to pieces! But you are right we tend to think "oh well" if we lose small things these days as they cost pennies and there's always another one.
My sister and I used to hand sew doll clothes on our carpeted bedroom floor. We would lose our needles and just pull out a new one. We often got poked by them walking barefoot over the carpet. We were not allowed to use our Mom's "good Kirby sweeper". She didn't want holes in the hose. Memories.
I still have more than one packet of some of the needles displayed!
I love that! Thanks so much for sharing :)
Fantastic video Lucy. ❤
Thank you Julia! Really kind of you ❤️
You MUST do the coffin works in Birmingham. Absolutely fantastic place
I'm desperate to go but the opening hours never match with my work schedule which is really frustrating! I am getting into the season where I have some weekends off so hopefully over the summer I will be able to go - desperate to go the catacombs in the Jewellery Quarter too!
Lucy your commentary is so engaging..really enjoyed this..we lived in Redditch for a short time, I would have loved to have seen that Abbey, we met some lovely people tho X
Yes the Redditch folk are lovely! It always amazes me how the accent slightly changes too even though on the map it's so close to Birmingham and many of the original residents were people who were "moved out" during the slum clearances to the "new town" they built.
Thank you for another interesting video I’m just sat here thinking what it was like when the sewing machine was invented what a boom that must have been I have a vintage singer in my attic I have no idea how it works but I can imagine the change it made when they were invented
I love the look of old sewing machines - like you not a clue how they work though! And yes it must have cranked the industry up even further x
Thanks for the video. I will be in Moreton in Marsh and Worcester in September. (From Texas) Unfortunately I won't have access to a car and would take too long by train and bus and walking. I love checking out the wonderful little museums in England
You will have the most wonderful time there, so beautiful and lots of civil war history. If you visit Worcester itself the Greyfrairs house and Tudor museum is very nice, and of course King John and Prince Arthur in the cathedral x
@@throughlucyslens we will be in Ludlow the week before so decided to make a day in Worcester and see Arthur (and some charity shops )
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Thanks Lucy , am really enjoying your channel. Looking forward to discovering places in the midlands and northern parts of the UK! I watched Back to Black. MEH…I was disappointed. Tonight I’m going to watch Nowhere Boy…..another musical group I absolutely adore! I hope they dont muck it up! Afterwards, am sure I will have to watch a Bugs Bunny Cartoon. Ha ha. Enjoy a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, or a hot chocolate from me with big big hugs, 🤗🇺🇸Linda C
Thank you so much Linda! I went to make a video today and I treated myself to a ham and cheese toastie in the cafe - I never do that .. so THANK YOU! Yes, Back to Black .. meh right? It was almost like they were too scared to show it how it really was. Nowhere Boy though - OMG I LOVED THAT. I gobble up anything Beatles Related but I thought Nowhere Boy was really beautiful and I had a good cry ... I guess you did need a bit of Bugs to cheer you up afterwards x
that was bloody amazing Lucy. i really enjoyed that and never knew or thought how needles were made. i remember mymum having different sizes and shapes for sewing,
th museum should advertise itself in the local newspapers( do they still exist?) and drum up more patronage. love from new zealand
Hey! Yes, I never thought about how many different types of needles there were really until I came here but it seems they are pretty infinite! Hmm you know that has gotten me thinking - I don't think we do have local newspapers really anymore, it's all online, that's quite sad isn't it?
Just around the corner from Forge Mill are the Redditch Prefabs. If you're about in the area again soon give me a shout and I'll take you around
Oh wow, I didn't know that! Thank you. I love that there is so much right under our noses we don't actually see.
@@throughlucyslens there is another little museum in Redditch too. It's the Heritage Centre in the Town Centre by the church, that's worth a visit
Interesting place and it is so true we sometimes travel hours to go visit somewhere else but don't know what is on our doorstep
And Henry's great tantrum has left loads of ruined abbeys, I'm lucky to have a few big ones with a lot still standing in my area of north Yorkshire
Henry and his Mob were still scared of the North weren't they? So they should have been!
As soon as I saw the tit!e of this video, I was taken back to childhood and being taught to see and embroider. Thank you again for such an interesting video Lucy 😊
Hey Sally! Good to hear from you! How absolutely lovely! My Mother taught me how to sew too, I still remember her big wooden sewing box and enjoying looking through the thimbles and needles :)
Good to hear from you, too, Lucy. As an add-on to my previous comment, I was visiting a 92 year old yesterday and told her about your video. She was most interested as she had worked in a factory as a teenager and young woman who made badges for schools and all kinds of organisations. We had a long conversation about your video and the way and type of needles that had been used in her factory. I wanted to share this with you and others in this community. Your videos have brought joy not just to me and others here but also those who I share with, and I am sure others who share too. Forgive me for this long reply, but like so many have said here, you do bring so much joy.
This has brought a tear to my eye! I miss taking to my Nan about her life growing up so so much! Thank you! I've enjoyed sharing oral history all my life and this means so much. Please send her my love xxx
Thank you Lucy, that was really interesting. I'm in Yorkshire so not likely I'd have ever visited. It was a very welcome distraction to helping a cousin in Ukraine with her pos husband. She doesn't speak much English or if have sent her it to watch too.
Oh gosh, are they okay? I have a friend that runs the humanitarian aid runs over with food, clothes and vehicles. She is a wonderful woman. I hope it gives her a short few moments of peace and relaxation in a brutal world x
Another similar factory was next to the Cistercian Abbey of Tintern on the Wye, at least 200 years before.
That's brilliant to know, thank you for sharing so others can look it up :)
This is great! Would love to visit. Some of my ancestors were listed for many years as fish hook makers in Redditch. Surname of Irish.
Oh wow! That's amazing, they could have worked in this factory or many of the others in the area. They have loads of records there, I wonder if you rang they might be able to pull some out for you?
@@throughlucyslensMight be worth asking. I have connections to Chance’s Glass in Smethwick too, I know there are some employee records for them, they were at Smethwick Library last time I looked. They seem to be having trouble knowing what to do with that old factory.
Hi Lucy! So glad you got yourself a ham & cheese toastie and were able to sit a bit and enjoy! Oh my goodness…..I watched Nowhere Boy…bawled my eyes out!😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I thought it was really really good, and the casting and music was superb! I hope you are enjoying your week so far, perhaps contemplating where your next tour is going to be? I was thinking, have you ever visited the Camden area in London - Amy Winehouse’s hood when she was growing up also she performed many of her gigs there yes? I’ve seen the statue that was built to memorialize her. In a video, not in 3D. I thought it was AWFUL, it didn’t depict her at all….my opinion. Have a great week, take care!💕Linda
It's great isn't it? My favourite Beatles related film will always be Backbeat though 🥺🥺 I've seen it about 100 times, it's a real comfort movie for me! I've been to Camden many times. It was a bit of a hangout for me in my early 20s but not been for years!! Should go back :)
I shall cherish my old needle's now as l know how dangerous it could be to make them .
Absolutely; we don't really think about it - I know I certainly didn't.
Thanks for sharing. Nice video. Did you know at the bottom of Redditch Moons Moat was witch territory? The monks and the witches obviously stayed well away from each other!
Oh no I did not!!! That's fascinating! I'll spend the evening deep diving into that tonight 😍
Where on earth did that place come from? Have to say I loved this video and I’m going to have to go and see it now! I also watched a good 8 minutes of adverts… I’m that nice! X
Hahaha, very nice indeeed! I literally saw it on Antiques Roadtrip and couldn't believe it was there - it's so nice, only £6 to get in, and if you don't want to go inside the museum you can still look around the grounds and use the cafe for free (cafe is really nice .. that's where we should meet up!)
@@throughlucyslens I showed mom the video and she loved it too! We are going in the school holidays x