The Feltmakers Company Today
Today the Feltmakers Company are a modern, thriving and very relevant influencer of the modern trades and international business. The Hat making and Millinery industries in the UK represent the very highest standards of quality, design, high fashion and craftsmanship in the World. These businesses export globally and generate considerable revenues for the UK Economy.
Additionally, new Innovation with modern felt applications continue to evolve, used for insulation in automotive and space technologies, in modern buildings for both sound and heat insulation, in water filtration – largely in Developing Countries. Synthetic felt is also being researched and developed at British Universities working with leading Industry expert manufacturers this generates new patents, innovations and commercial growth.
The Company promotes and runs our own Industry leading Design Awards, where we mentor young designers and apprentices through Universities and Colleges, with entries from across the globe with substantial cash prizes and recognition. This provides opportunity and exposure to up and coming designers, craftsmen and women to showcase their talents and to get guidance, help and advice from world leading Manufacturers and Designers with real world knowledge and experience. The Livery also showcase their work at Charitable events in London often at events with the wider Livery movement.
This year, this includes the bi-annual Red Cross Christmas Market in the Guildhall Old Library, where the company will be selling hats made by local milliners and members of the Company.
The Company’s Charitable and Philanthropic works, and the City
The City of London Corporation and Livery Companies are major charity donors and promoters of old and new traditional crafts, industries as well as key modern City services. Livery Companies have close working relationships, and cooperation is often achieved through Sport, the Feltmakers, for example, organise and run the Inter-Livery Tennis Competition at Queens Club annually. All the proceeds of which got to charity.
Property and Assets, historically the Feltmakers’ Company has benefitted from, legacies, donations and bequests including property which is effectively managed and generates considerable income for charitable use.
The Feltmakers have a historic affiliation with a type 23 Destroyer being HMS Lancaster, currently in refit, we support the Officers and Crew and their families and dependents.
Our commitment to Charitable giving is fundamental, this has changed from simply giving cash donations, to now active engagement and participation by our members. Who through using their own professional skills and talents can help and assist our charities. Likewise, sometimes simply providing extra ‘pairs of hands’ is what the charity needs and this provides members of the Company with a good opportunity to work at grass roots level and to really understand the needs of the organisation, it is also immensely fulfilling.
Amongst many others, the Company supports Treloars College and Helen Arkell Dyslexia charity.
The Company’s reach is global with a number of International relationships, especially the Swiss Guild of Feltmakers. Our members visit them in Zurich and they visit us in London, we all appreciate the traditions and protocols of these exchanges and camaraderie.