UKFT was saddened to learn that a key innovator in the East Midlands’ knitting industry died on 2 August 2023. Henry Hurt MBE was for many years the beating heart of UKFT member G.H.Hurt & Son (Henry was the grandson of the founder George Henry Hurt).

G.H.Hurt & Son is a Nottingham-based company which has designed and made luxury knitted lace clothing accessories in Nottingham for over 100 years. It is a long-standing tradition that British Royal babies are first presented to the country in a G.H.Hurt & Son baby shawl. The company is now run by the fourth generation of the family, Henry’s daughter Gillian, and was awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category in 2021.

Henry was very much an innovator. He spent many years experimenting with knitting machines and perfecting knitted lace on powered knitted machines. This enabled the company to transfer from traditional hand-frames to modern powered knitting machines. This single act ensured the continuation of this local Nottingham artisan craft and the company’s unique international reputation as manufacturers and purveyors of fine and exquisite knitted lace with intricate patterns. He was awarded the MBE for services to the knitting industry in Nottinghamshire, in 2009.

Like her father before her, Gillian has worked tirelessly to preserve the art of Nottinghamshire lace knitwear and presence and develop the skills required to keep the company’s products proudly made in Nottingham.

UKFT sends Gillian, Richard and the family our deepest condolences and is certain that the company is in the best of hands to continue Henry’s fine legacy.

VISIT THE G.H HURT & SON WEBSITE