Weaving Stories: A Celebration of our Heritage at Brinscall Hall
We were absolutely delighted to host The History & Heritage of Withnell event at the beautiful Brinscall Hall—a day that brought together our community, celebrated our shared past, and gave a deeper understanding of the stories behind our brand.
The event transported guests through time, beginning with the boom of the cotton industry in Northern England. Families—like our own—travelled from far and wide, drawn by the promise of work and a better life. Withnell, became a hive of textile production, home to mills, bleachworks, and dye houses that shaped not just the land, but generations of lives. This is how we decided on the name Withnell for our brand it not only encompasses so much of our rich heritage, it's also where we are based.
Our guests were fascinated by how Withnell played a part in the wider industrial movement—from cottage weaving traditions governed by craft guilds to the powerful automated looms of Marriage and Pinnock Ltd.
See image below of Withnell Mill.
We shared striking facts the mill consumed 370 tonnes of coal and 4 million gallons of water every week. And our local streams, once running clear, turned vibrant hues from dye runoff—beautiful, but toxic, laced with chemicals like arsenic.
More than history, this event was a deeply personal celebration. Each piece in our collection was displayed with its own story and we included a fashion show at the end thanks to models, Lynn, Leila & Eva.
Our clothing is inspired by the women in my family whose lives were rooted in Withnell the place and cotton mills. So much of our story stems from our past but we look to the future, not following trends but what feels authentic to us honest clothing made to love, wear and share and last.
Special stories were shared about our Ada vintage linen blouse, to Helen’s full-skirted dress inspired by her time as a silk weaver, to Jack’s workwear jacket named after my grandad a local farmer—our brand honours these real stories and the enduring values they passed down: sustainability, quality, resilience, and love of place.
Guests enjoyed Prosecco and soft drinks, engaging talks, and delightful cakes kindly provided by the Brinscall Baker, adding a homemade touch to a heartwarming day.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the rich tapestry of Withnell’s heritage. Your support helps us keep these stories alive—and inspires us to keep creating pieces that carry history forward. We’re so grateful to everyone who attended sold out our tickets, contributed, and supported us in making this event so memorable.
It won’t be the last—you’ve inspired us to keep celebrating what makes Withnell truly wonderful.
Until next time!
With special thanks to my best friend Gail, for helping me organise everyone's arrival, my son and son in law for organising the parking and my daughter for serving our community drinks and cake my family and friends make running Withnell a dream and are a huge support.