Solidarity Trade Union

08/10/2026

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 123 - Hug Rug, Clayton West, Yorkshire (England)

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1432413709079188&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 123 - Hug Rug, Clayton West, Yorkshire (England)

NOW THAT we’re into October, the rotten weather is starting to come in with a vengeance. Cold, rain & mud are the order of the day. And this is when a great door mat comes into its own.

With this in mind, shoppers need look no further than Hug Rug. They’re a British brand of machine-washable rugs, doormats, runners, bathmats and related home textiles, designed and manufactured in Yorkshire.

Based in the village of Clayton West - between Huddersfield and Barnsley - West Yorkshire, they are part of the family-run Phoenox Textiles, which was founded in 1954 by local weaver Jack Mosley.

A WORLD FIRST

The company originally made fabric for bus seats and traditional hearth rugs. Phoenox created the world’s first machine-washable rug in 1970.

The Hug Rug brand itself was launched in 2007 with a focus on stylish, practical and sustainable products. It is now run by the third and fourth generations of the Mosley family (including Creative Director Lizzie Mosley). They employ around over 200 people across its two locations.

Their products - and features – include:

• Washable rugs, doormats, runners and mats that trap up to 95% of dirt, dust, mud and moisture.

• Many products are machine-washable at 30°C.

• Made largely from recycled materials, including recycled plastic bottles, recycled cotton (from old t-shirts), and recycled industrial plastic for rubber backings.

• Ranges cover practical everyday designs as well as more decorative styles, often inspired by nature or British themes.

• The company is a zero-waste-to-landfill business and this year installed solar panels at their Huddersfield mill.

BRITISH MANUFACTURING

Hug Rug emphasises British manufacturing, sustainability and “thoughtful living.” It markets itself as combining style with eco-credentials and everyday practicality (especially useful for busy households with children or pets).

The company prides itself on its positive & strong customer feedback. Products are sold via the company’s website (see below) and various retailers.

To find out more, check out: https://hugrug.co.uk/


• ALSO CHECK OUT:

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (1)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1151655323821696&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (2)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1325881283065765&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Terrific Twelve! (I)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1369959485324611&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – The Terrific Twelve! (J)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1422780210042538&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 121 – Doves Farm, Hungerford,
Berkshire (England)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1425819183071974&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 122 – The Wensleydale Spirit Company, Leyburn, North Yorkshire (England)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1429596149360944&set=a.241167498203821

07/10/2026

THIS MAY be of interest to those who're into trade union history:

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1778143577650892&set=a.262440725887859

07/10/26 - COUNTER CULTURE – MIDWEEK SONG LIST (168)

REGULAR READERS will recall that earlier this year we commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the UK General Strike (4th - 12th May 1926) by featuring lots of trade union/worker-related songs.

We’ve since been asked to produce a series of articles about the history of various trade unions. We kick off with the Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE).

It was founded in 1946 because of a merger between the Mental Hospital and Institutional Workers Union & the Hospital and Welfare Services Union. The idea was to build and create one union for health service workers ahead of the NHS’s establishment in 1948.

COHSE was dissolved in 1993. Here, it merged with the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE) and the National and Local Government Officers’ Association (NALGO) to form UNISON, which became the UK’s largest public-sector trade union.

We’ll take a further look at COHSE soon as it’s now time for some music.

As usual, we’ve got a real mixed bag of music spanning different genres. Here’s just a few highlights:

• Folk music is usually considered to be an indigenous form of music that originates from an ethnic community of a specific region. One thing that distinguishes it from other forms of music is that it’s normally passed down orally, often with considerable variation. Breo are a folk band from Galicia, an autonomous community in the northwest of Spain. Galicia has Celtic roots which are well on display in the track ‘Alumea-Lo Pan.’

• Rock & Metal have many sub-genres. Alternative rock (also known as alt-rock) is just one of them. It grew out of the independent music scene which was characterised by creative freedom, low budgets & a ‘Do It Yourself’ approach to music (similar to punk). The Kongos are a prime example of alt-rock. Their song ‘I'm Only Joking’ has a great beat to it – indeed, we defy anyone not to nod or tap along to it!

• Another sub-genre of Rock & Metal is Dark Rock (sometimes called Dark Metal). There’s no binding definition of Dark Rock, although bands associated with this sub-genre normally deal with
somber themes. Here we feature ‘Lies of War’ by a German band called Stigma.

• Oi is virtually always described as a White working-class sound. However, Ikazuchi - a Japanese skinhead band – are an intriguing exception to the rule. If you know of any other non-European Oi bands, please let us know.

Regular readers will know that we’ve a deep interest in different musical genres & sub-genres. If you have a favourite genre/sub-genre that we haven’t covered yet (in this or previous issues of the ‘Midweek Song List’) send us a link to the artist & provide us with any relevant background information.

Breo – ‘Alumea-Lo Pan’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI1yJyHr2wc&list=RDcI1yJyHr2wc&start_radio=1

Bronwyn – ‘Virginia Gal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M58yyFGfuL8&list=RDM58yyFGfuL8&start_radio=1

Defender - ‘Follow the Flame’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0XBAq0Xp3Q&list=RDq0XBAq0Xp3Q&start_radio=1

Home Front – ‘Eulogy’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdYpIzmv2Mc&list=RDcdYpIzmv2Mc&start_radio=1

Ikazuchi –‘The Way Of Destiny’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb4B7xkgwq0&list=RDsb4B7xkgwq0&start_radio=1

Janis Joplin – ‘Piece Of My Heart’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uG2gYE5KOs&list=RD7uG2gYE5KOs&start_radio=1

Kongos – ‘I'm Only Joking’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ip1irYWXck&list=RD3Ip1irYWXck&start_radio=1

Buzzy Lee – ‘Strange Town’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRnr6Sq1Le0

Nirvana – ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8&list=RDfregObNcHC8&start_radio=1

Wilson Pickett - ‘Hey Jude’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPki6mUDzOw

Super Blue Moon – ‘Fear’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNhWkLXTCCA&list=RDeNhWkLXTCCA&start_radio=1

Stigma – ‘Lies of War’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJBU-rytdsU&list=RDQJBU-rytdsU&start_radio=1

• READERS OF the Midweek Song List may be interested to know that Counter Culture produces two other regular features.

The first is ‘Culture Vulture’ which is our weekly entertainment guide. This long-running feature is available in audio-visual & text form. You can find it here on our page or on our website https://countercultureuk.com

The second – ‘Arts, Culture, History & Sport - is a more recent feature. It currently appears (on this page) on an ad hoc basis, but we hope to make it weekly in due course. You can find the most recent issue (dated 29th September) here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1769706118494638&set=a.262440725887859

• WE ALSO produce Song List Specials. Check them out here:

Song List Special – Peace: https://countercultureuk.com/2026/09/10/counter-culture-song-list-special-peace

Song List Special – Peace (2): https://countercultureuk.com/2026/09/14/counter-culture-peace-songlist-2/

Song List Special - Songs That Captured The Spirit Of The Old Grey Whistle Test: https://countercultureuk.com/2026/05/15/songlist-special-songs-that-captured-the-spirit-of-the-old-grey-whistle-test

Song List Special - Songs That Captured The Spirit Of The Old Grey Whistle Test (2): https://countercultureuk.com/2026/09/02/songlist-special-songs-that-captured-the-spirit-of-the-old-grey-whistle-test-part2

Song List Special – West Coast Punk 1977-78: https://countercultureuk.com/2026/05/23/west-coast-punk-1977-78-songlist/

Song List Special – West Coast Punk (2): https://countercultureuk.com/2026/06/02/west-coast-punk-songlist-2

Song List Special – West Coast Punk (3):
https://countercultureuk.com/2026/06/14/west-coast-punk-songlist-3/

• CHECK OUT Counter Culture on X (formerly known as Twitter) here:

05/10/2026

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 122 – The Wensleydale Spirit Company, Leyburn, North Yorkshire (England)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1429596149360944&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 122 – The Wensleydale Spirit Company, Leyburn, North Yorkshire (England)

MENTION THE WORD Wensleydale and most people would automatically think of cheese. However, in this issue of ‘Focus On Great UK Companies’ we’ll be looking at spirits – and not the type that’ll be making an appearance at Halloween!

And that’s because the Wensleydale we’re examining is the Wensleydale Spirit Company, a small-batch craft distillery based in Leyburn, North Yorkshire, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

It was founded in 2018 by local hotelier Chris Taplin (owner of the Stone House Hotel in Hawes). The distillery operates from a restored 19th-century engine and cargo shed on the platform of Leyburn train station, part of the heritage Wensleydale Railway line. This unique setting combines production with a visitor experience in a picturesque location.

PRODUCTS

The company produces premium spirits using traditional copper stills, with everything created and bottled on-site under bonded warehouse status.

The range includes:

• London Dry gins (notably under the Taplin & Mageean brand) — Signature Edition, Spiced Orange, Elderflower Orchard, and Peach & Basil.

• Flavoured vodkas (such as Tusky Vodka and TQ Vodka).

• Wensleydale Spiced Rum.

Its Signature Gin earned a silver medal at the World Spirits Competition in San Francisco.

GIN TRAIN EXPERIENCE

The site includes a production area, retail space for spirits and merchandise, and a fully licensed bar/tasting room.

It hosts guided tastings, private bookings, live music events, and the popular & unique sounding Gin Train Experience in partnership with the Wensleydale Railway. The business has been run primarily by the owner with part-time support for events and retail.

The Wensleydale Spirit Company emphasises local provenance in its gins & overall branding as capturing “the essence of the Dales.”

Here, local ingredients include:

• Water: Local crystal-clear Dales water, naturally filtered through the limestone landscape.

• Juniper: Wild junipers growing in the Dale itself (the core botanical for gin).

• Apples: Locally grown apples (used in the Elderflower Orchard gin, for example).

• Hops: From the Black Sheep Brewery, a well-known Yorkshire Dales brewery (featured in the Signature Edition gin).

(These local elements are combined with high-quality imported botanicals that are traditional for London Dry gin, such as orange zest from Spain, angelica root from Belgium, orris root from Italy, and coriander seeds from Morocco.

As we’ve noted previously, we view this as an opportunity for the government – or an entrepreneur - to step in and find ways of producing items of a similar quality in the UK.)

To find out more, check out: https://wensleydalespiritcompany.co.uk

• ALSO CHECK OUT:

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (1)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1151655323821696&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (2)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1325881283065765&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Terrific Twelve! (I)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1369959485324611&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – The Terrific Twelve! (J)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1422780210042538&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 121 – Doves Farm, Hungerford,
Berkshire (England)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1425819183071974&set=a.241167498203821

01/10/2026

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 121 – Doves Farm, Hungerford,
Berkshire (England)

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1425819183071974&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 121 – Doves Farm, Hungerford,
Berkshire (England)

DOVES FARM (Doves Farm Foods) is a British, family-owned organic grower, miller & food producer. They are the UK’s number-one organic flour brand.

It was founded in 1978 by Michael and Clare Marriage. They planted their first organic field in 1977 on the family mixed arable farm in the North Wessex Downs (near Hungerford, on the Wiltshire/Berkshire border).

Motivated by a passion for wholegrains, sustainable farming, and chemical-free food, they began milling organic wholemeal flour (initially selling it door-to-door) using traditional methods.

The business pioneered the reintroduction of several ancient/heritage grains (such as rye, spelt, einkorn, and emmer) to British soils after they had largely disappeared. It remains 100% family-owned, with two generations involved.

The farm and main production site are nestled in the North Wessex Downs countryside. The company practices organic farming focused on soil health, crop rotations, and wildlife support (avoiding artificial fertilisers and most pesticides). It mills grain using both traditional stone mills and modern roller mills.

Doves Farm produces for retail, wholesale, foodservice, bakeries, and manufacturing (including private label). Interestingly, it has dedicated gluten-free facilities and a pasta factory in northern Italy (opened/commissioned around 2024). Sites are nut-free.

Their key brands include:

• Doves Farm — Organic flours (plain, wholemeal, bread, specialty, and heritage/ancient grains), baking aids (e.g., yeast, baking powder), organic breakfast cereals, and organic biscuits/digestives.

• FREEE — Leading gluten-free range (flours, baking mixes, breakfast cereals, pasta, oat bars, cookies, biscuit crumb), certified by Coeliac UK and made in dedicated facilities.

• Wessex Mill — Acquired in 2022; a traditional brand with around 125 years of milling history, using local Wessex wheat for bread and culinary flours.

The company offers roughly 200 products across categories such as flour, pasta, breakfast cereals, snack bars, cookies, baking mixes/aids, and crumb. It mills a wide variety of grains, pseudo-cereals, pulses, and more.

Their outreach is impressive:

• Customers in around 40 countries (roughly 390 worldwide).

• Available in major UK supermarkets, health food stores, farm shops, and online (plus bulk for trade).

• Over 60 taste and quality awards in the last 15 years.

We were interested to read that Doves Farm has a vision that includes making good food a natural choice for everyone. They play their part by manufacturing & selling honest, sustainable, and tasty cereal-based foods.

It goes without saying that organic certification (Soil Association since the early days) is central to their needs. The business emphasises farming in harmony with nature, responsible sourcing (including RSPO-certified palm oil where used), waste reduction, and clean ingredient labels.

To find out more, check out: dovesfarm.co.uk

• ALSO CHECK OUT:

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (1)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1151655323821696&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (2)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1325881283065765&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Terrific Twelve! (I)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1369959485324611&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – The Terrific Twelve! (J)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1422780210042538&set=a.241167498203821

28/09/2026

• Focus On Great UK Companies – The Terrific Twelve! (J)

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1422780210042538&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – The Terrific Twelve! (J)

WE’VE PREVIOUSLY noted that any shopper can support UK companies & products. All they need to do is put their money where their mouth is.

And it’s possible to do this without breaking the bank at the same time. Here’s how:

• Be positive & make a point of deliberately looking for UK products. Depending on your budget, buy what you can – even if it’s just one extra item. Imagine the difference it’d make to UK companies if every shopper did this!

• Wherever & whenever possible support local & independent farmers’ markets and small businesses. (Also, make a point of using cash if you can.)

• Buy fewer, higher-quality UK-made items. They’ll last longer & many companies also offer a repair service.

• Do your research. Check which companies are really UK-owned & buy from them.

• Recommend UK companies/products to your friends, neighbours & relatives.

If you’re really pressed for time, here’s some tips to help you out:

• We know that you can’t research everything. Therefore, just choose an issue that matters to you (say animal welfare) and support any UK company that has this as one of its core values.

• Be consistent and be realistic. Wholescale change is not going to happen overnight. However, small consistent changes (such as switching brands) all add up.

• Talk to your family, friends & neighbours about these ideas. One person acting alone can make a difference. But collective action can magnify this many times over.

It’s worthwhile noting that these ideas do work. Here’s just two examples:

• Consumer pressure has forced companies to drop plastic packaging, improve factory conditions, adopt cage-free eggs & so on.

• Brands like Patagonia – who sell the likes of outdoor clothing & travel gear - have grown because of conscious consumers.

As we mentioned earlier, all shoppers need to do to support UK companies & products is put their money where their mouth is. We know that times are hard, so just do this in small steps. There’s no need to break the bank.

Start small, stay informed, and be consistent. Support great UK companies & products!

If you want to Buy British, check out the following links:

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (1)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1151655323821696&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (2)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1325881283065765&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Terrific Twelve! (I)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1369959485324611&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 109 – Benridge Woolworks, Hartlepool, County Durham.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1373426758311217&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 110 – Lick Gelato, Newcastle, Co. Down (Ulster)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1388237910163435&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 111 – Warburtons, Bolton, Lanacshire (England)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1391800683140491&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 112 – Forest Sofa Ltd, Salford, Lancashire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1394717496182143&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 113 – Aiguille Limited, Staveley, Cumbria (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1397995269187699&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 114 – Bolney W**e Estate, Bolney, Sussex (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1400674105586482&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 115 – Ginsters, Callington , Cornwall.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1404082028579023&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 116 – Buffalo Systems, Sheffield, Yorkshire, (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1406657478321478&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 117 – Mojo Cables, Leeds. Yorkshire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1410175821302977&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 118 – Axon Motorhomes, Bacup, Lancashire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1412716494382243&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 119 – H Roberts & Sons DI Limited, Desford, Leicestershire, (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1416167714037121&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 120 – Clarence & Bean, Tiverton, Devon (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1418797377107488&set=a.241167498203821

24/09/2026

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 120 – Clarence & Bean, Tiverton, Devon (England).

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1418797377107488&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 120 – Clarence & Bean, Tiverton, Devon (England).

CLARENCE & BEAN is a UK-based quality confectionery manufacturer specialising in gourmet fudge and handmade chocolate. Founded in 2007 by Christopher & Kimberley Brady, it’s based in Tiverton, Devon.

The company is well-known for producing award-winning gourmet fudge & handcrafted chocolate products. Fudge is traditionally made in small batches in copper pots using high-quality ingredients. They produce fudge in a variety including:

• Clotted Cream
• Traditional Vanilla
• Caramel & Sea Salt
• Chocolate Fudge
• Cookie Dough

Readers who love fudge will be interested to learn that Clarence & Bean have won awards for their Butter Fudge Topped Milk Chocolate Slab & Christmas Pudding Fudge.

Other products include Easter eggs, shortbread biscuits and holiday rock.

FARM SHOPS

All the above items are supplied to independent retailers, farm shops, delis, gourmet wholesalers, national chains, and international distributors.

The company emphasises food safety/quality standards, works with local suppliers.

Importantly, Clarence & Bean make significant use of British products and emphasise local/UK sourcing. It works with local suppliers as part of its production process.

Indeed, they describe their gourmet fudge as a “truly British product,” handmade in the UK using traditional methods (small batches in copper pots) and “traditional local recipes.”

CLASSIC BRITISH PRODUCT

A signature feature is Clotted Cream, which they incorporate into many (or all) of their 25+ fudge flavours for rich caramel and dairy notes. Clotted cream is a classic British product strongly associated with Devon and Cornwall (South West England). Cornish clotted cream has Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status and must be made from milk produced in Cornwall.

(However, not every single ingredient is exclusively British. Its more-or-less standard in the confectionary industry to source the likes of sugar, glucose syrup, palm oil, cocoa & certain flavourings from abroad.)

In short, a member of Taste of the West, Clarence & Bean describe themselves as “The Quality Confectioners,” focus on artisan production methods while operating as a scalable business for wholesale and export.

For more information check out: https://clarenceandbean.com/

• ALSO CHECK OUT:

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (1)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1151655323821696&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (2)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1325881283065765&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Terrific Twelve! (I)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1369959485324611&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 109 – Benridge Woolworks, Hartlepool, County Durham.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1373426758311217&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 110 – Lick Gelato, Newcastle, Co. Down (Ulster)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1388237910163435&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 111 – Warburtons, Bolton, Lanacshire (England)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1391800683140491&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 112 – Forest Sofa Ltd, Salford, Lancashire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1394717496182143&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 113 – Aiguille Limited, Staveley, Cumbria (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1397995269187699&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 114 – Bolney W**e Estate, Bolney, Sussex (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1400674105586482&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 115 – Ginsters, Callington , Cornwall.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1404082028579023&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 116 – Buffalo Systems, Sheffield, Yorkshire, (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1406657478321478&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 117 – Mojo Cables, Leeds. Yorkshire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1410175821302977&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 118 – Axon Motorhomes, Bacup, Lancashire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1412716494382243&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 119 – H Roberts & Sons DI Limited, Desford, Leicestershire, (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1416167714037121&set=a.241167498203821

21/09/2026

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 118 – H Roberts & Sons DI Limited, Desford, Leicestershire, (England).

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1416167714037121&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 118 – H Roberts & Sons DI Limited, Desford, Leicestershire, (England).

YEARS AGO, the UK had a thriving industry which produced magnifying glasses and magnifiers. Today, everything in this field appears to be made abroad – mainly in Japan, Germany, Switzerland.

However, there is one slight exception to the rule. And it’s provided by H Roberts & Sons DI Limited of Leicestershire.

Their primary business is supplying & distributing metrology, inspection, torque, and search & detection equipment.

All of this equipment sourced from established manufacturers (such as Mitutoyo, Bowers, TESA, Mahr, Trimos, Sylvac and Plastiform) and supplied either as catalogue items or as customer-specific configurations of proven products.

However, the light at the end of the tunnel is that they do perform UK-based manufacturing and customisation for bespoke/modified items via their Leicestershire facilities.

Here, they operate an in-house machine shop with skilled engineers. This allows them to modify existing tools and manufacture custom/bespoke instruments to meet specific customer requirements. Bespoke items are described as a speciality.

We realise that this is not perfect, but we take the view that little is better than nothing.

We also feel that the government of the day should ensure that the UK is as self-sufficient as is possible. They should take a look at this particular industry & make efforts to kick start its revival. This would create more jobs & apprenticeships as supply meets demand.

For more information about H Roberts & Sons DI Limited, check out their website: https://www.hroberts-di.com

• ALSO CHECK OUT:

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (1)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1151655323821696&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Fantastic Forty-Eight (2)
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1325881283065765&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies - The Terrific Twelve! (I)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1369959485324611&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 109 – Benridge Woolworks, Hartlepool, County Durham.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1373426758311217&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 110 – Lick Gelato, Newcastle, Co. Down (Ulster)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1388237910163435&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 111 – Warburtons, Bolton, Lanacshire (England)
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1391800683140491&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 112 – Forest Sofa Ltd, Salford, Lancashire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1394717496182143&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 113 – Aiguille Limited, Staveley, Cumbria (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1397995269187699&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 114 – Bolney W**e Estate, Bolney, Sussex (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1400674105586482&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 115 – Ginsters, Callington , Cornwall.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1404082028579023&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 116 – Buffalo Systems, Sheffield, Yorkshire, (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1406657478321478&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 117 – Mojo Cables, Leeds. Yorkshire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1410175821302977&set=a.241167498203821

• Focus On Great UK Companies – 118 – Axon Motorhomes, Bacup, Lancashire (England).
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1412716494382243&set=a.241167498203821

19/09/2026

Tonight on TV: Made in Dagenham — BBC One, 11.40pm (12.55am in Scotland)

Counter Culture have highlighted that Made in Dagenham is on BBC One tonight — and for trade unionists, it’s essential viewing. The film tells the story of the 1968 Ford sewing‑machinists’ strike, when working‑class women at Dagenham refused to accept being graded as “unskilled” and paid less than men doing equivalent work. Their fight for dignity and equal pay didn’t just change Ford — it helped change the law.

The review captures the real texture of workplace solidarity: the clatter of the sewing machines, the banter, the small acts of care that make a factory a community. When Ford tried to downgrade their work, the insult wasn’t abstract — it was personal. And the machinists organised, argued, stood together and won.

It’s a reminder that every right we rely on today was carved out by workers who refused to be quiet. Collective action is messy, human and absolutely essential — and Made in Dagenham shows that better than almost any film.

Read the full Counter Cultureture review here:
https://countercultureuk.com/2022/12/17/made-in-dagenham/


And this week’s full Culture Vulture guide:
https://countercultureuk.com/2026/09/19/culture-vulture-19-25-september-2026/

Thanks to Counter Culture for the heads‑up.