Making things better and making better things

I met Matt from the Northampton Sneaker Company about a year ago now and was inspired by his 15 mile source map. His shoes are designed and made in the town where he grew up. This podcast looks at what he does and why he does it. With the shoe and apparel sectors being only five years from losing key skills into retirement forever it is important to buy British when you can. Once upon a time every town had a thing it was known for. Increasingly we have towns and cities that could be "anytown". This podcast looks at the importance of UK manufacturing and how the shoe industry runs through Matt's blood - literally.

Jonny recovers old wood and makes new things from it. There is no such thing as waste - just endless possibilities. I met him in his Sheffield workshop to talk about what he does and how he does it. But most of all, why he does it and how it changes the perception of self.

Netherton Foundry make pans the way they were made 200 years ago. They know where every part comes from. They know everyone who supplies them parts. They believe in making things that are simple, better, beautiful and last for ever. The company is run by Neil and Sue Currie in Shropshire and I spoke to Neil at The Good Life Experience in September. We talked about what they do, but most importantly we talked about why they do it.