While Hyde is best known for its cotton mills, coal mining played a crucial role in the town’s development — especially in and around the village of Gee Cross. The area sits atop part of the Manchester Coalfield, and coal seams were commercially exploited to fuel local industry. Coal in the Hyde Area From the… Read More mining hyde & gee cross: the hidden depths of hyde’s industrial heritage
In a world increasingly shaped by automation and fast fashion, the traditional arts of textile-making—spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery—are often overshadowed. Yet, heritage textile techniques remain vital not only for their aesthetic and cultural value but also for what they can teach us about sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. Preserving and reinventing these practices is more… Read More weaving the past into the future: the significance of preserving & reinventing heritage textile techniques
There’s something so evocative about the phrase “threads of memory.” I love how it captures the way fabric can hold stories, a narrative—whether it’s a scrap of cloth from a loved one’s garment or a hand-stitched detail that has been passed down through generations. It reminds me that textiles are not just materials; they’re keepers… Read More threads of memory: the connection between storytelling textiles & heritage-driven design
Rachel Bakewell 