Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited traditional family-owned weaving mill Marton Mills in Otley in West Yorkshire on 20 February 2024, in her capacity as President of the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT).

Marton Mills is known for its stock-supported range of pure wool tartans, Shetland tweeds and wool-blend fabrics. These fabrics, woven with precision and care, reflect the rich heritage of the region, which has been synonymous with high-quality textiles since the 18th century.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was given an immersive tour of the Marton Mills facility, where she gained insights into every stage of the manufacturing process, from yarn preparation to warping and weaving. She witnessed first-hand the meticulous craftsmanship and dedication of Marton Mills’ highly skilled workforce, many of whom have spent their lives in the textile industry.

The tour provided a comprehensive overview of Marton Mills’ commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation. From the creation of bespoke fabrics through their in-house design service to the intricate processes of yarn preparation, warping and weaving, every aspect of production reflects Marton Mills’ unwavering dedication to excellence.

One of the highlights of the visit was the presentation of a Service to Industry Award to Duncan Watts, Chairman, who has been working in the British textile industry for over 50 years. A testament to Marton Mills’ deep-rooted commitment to its employees and their contributions to the company’s success over the years.

Additionally, Her Royal Highness learned about Marton Mills’ plans for increased sustainability, including more solar panels on the warehouse roof.

These initiatives underscore Marton Mills’ commitment to reducing its environmental impact while continuing to uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality.

As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation, Marton Mills unveiled new launches, including the Arrochar Tweed shades, featuring yarns specially dyed to create a distinctive salt-and-pepper colouring. The Arrochar cloth, renowned for its durability and traditional dry handle, remains an ideal choice for highland jackets. Additionally, new Herringbone tweed shades, woven from a unique blend of multi-colored yarns, offer rich brown fabrics with deep blues, reds and yellows. To complement this, they have produced a new range of tartans known as the Kintyre collection inspired by the peninsula on the west coast of Scotland.

Marton Mills continues to set the standard for excellence in British textile manufacturing, blending tradition with innovation to create fabrics that are both timeless and contemporary.

The Royal Visit forms part of UKFT’s mission to support the sustainable growth of the UK fashion and textile industry.\

Adam Mansell, CEO of UKFT, said:

“We were truly honoured to introduce Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the team at Marton Mills. Her visit not only recognises the rich heritage and craftsmanship that defines our industry but also highlights the importance of British textile manufacturing on the global stage. Marton Mills is embarking on new initiatives to increase sustainability and new product launches yet remaining steadfast in its dedication to upholding the highest standards of excellence. The firm is a great example of a UK company continuing a tradition of excellence that spans generations and showcasing the best of British craftsmanship to the world.”

Laura Watts, Managing Director of Marton Mills added:

“It was such an honour and pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to Marton Mills. We are very fortunate that she is so supportive of our industry to help us raise the profile of British textiles, where raw materials are ethically sourced and quality fabric is sustainably made. Duncan, my father has been an inspiration to us all at the mill. He paved the way for Marton Mills and has been the foundation of our success. We are thrilled that he received an award to recognise his outstanding contribution to the industry.”

 

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Marton Mills is a UKFT member. To find out more about UKFT membership, click here.