This year, we were again blessed with fine weather for the Feltmakers ’ Luton Lunch at the Luton Masonic Pavilion on Friday January 27. After Grace, thirty Liverymen and guests sat down to a hearty meal with a main course of roast beef.

We were very pleased to welcome again, Veronica Main, Curator of Costume and Textiles at  Luton Museum, as our speaker. She told us about the first helmets for the Luton Police Force, which were made of straw plait, and demonstrated two such helmets and also two early truncheons.

She then showed a beautiful bonnet, which had been very recently donated to the Hat Collection of the Museum; a silk cap almost certainly made in Italy to be worn at home by a lady of substance, in the late nineteenth century. Veronica also told us about the use being made of donations from our Company by the Museum towards the conservation of old and important hats, both silk and felt.

Following a vote of thanks by the Master, the Lunch concluded. Again a very successful and convivial event and much enjoyed by all present. We hope for an even larger attendance next year.