John Fletcher introduces the history of textiles with a piece to camera talking about the birth of the industry in the domestic system of home produced goods. We visit the Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum in Nottinghamshire where examples of frame knitting machines used to make stockings have been preserved. We see views of the museum site and machines being operated by a Mr Cook. Interview with Dorothy Shrimpton from the museum about their preservation project and with Mr Cook about the final days of the local industry. Next Fletcher introduces the concept of large factories and we see views of the Arkwright Mill at Cromford in Derbyshire, the River Derwent and the Cromford Canal as well as the exterior of Richard Arkwright’s house - Willersley Castle. Fletcher describes the operation of the business with a piece to camera and we also see exterior views of workers’ cottages at Cromford, the Greyhound Hotel and the Belper North Mill which was a very early iron framed factory. Next we move to Coventry for a look at the use of jacquard machines in the ribbon making industry. Local expert Peter Mitchell talks to camera about the subject and we see cards being manufactured and in use (probably at the Cash works) and see views of workers’ houses built by Joseph and John Cash in Coventry. Next we see views of the Lace Market in Nottingham and Fletcher gives another talk to camera about the local lace industry. We see lace menders at work (in the top storey of a factory with good light) and inside a lace making factory. Mr Barnes talks about the work of a twist hand (lace machine operator).
Programme Consultant: Dr Jennifer Tann
Commentary Spoken by Gwyn Richards
Camera: Kevin Latimer
Sound: John Marshall
Film Editor: John McCarthy
Producer: Donald Shingler