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Merrythought

Says it began 1930Where Ironbridge, ShropshireNames William Gordon Holmes, Florence Attwood

Bingie
Bingie, photographed by Merrythought.

The story of Merrythought began in 1930. William Gordon Holmes, owner of a spinning mill in Yorkshire called 'Holmes & Laxton', recognised the opportunity to make premium soft toys from the luxurious natural fibres they sourced. He found a beautiful brick foundry building in Ironbridge, home of the industrial revolution, and with the help of a team of skilled local seamstresses, Merrythought was born. The first collection was designed by Florence Attwood, a remarkable pattern maker who overcame many challenges associated with being deaf and unable to speak, to create some of our most iconic designs. The original factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire, remains Merrythought's home to this day.

Quoted from merrythought.co.uk, in Merrythought's own words. We have not edited it and we do not vouch for it.

What they make