Minor British Institutions: John Smedley
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There isn't very much left of the British textile industry, but we can be truly proud of its few survivors. After more than two centuries, the John Smedley company of Matlock in Derbyshire is still making the most gorgeously comfortable knitwear.
As winter draws on, it might be as well to mention that they make long johns, which ought to be British but in fact have their origins, understandably, in Canada.
Some 225 years ago, Peter Nightingale and John Smedley founded their company, but it was John's son, also John, who was responsible for its long success, built on using only the finest raw materials, employing the best workmanship and the spring water of the region to ensure that magical, soft, light quality, especially in their merino products.
It remains family-owned. Some 98 per cent of the company's production bears the tag "Made in Britain" – and seven out of 10 of their garments go for export. Worthy of celebration.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments