Look back with us over our year at Humphries Weaving, bespoke projects, awards & a Royal visit.
As we reflect on this year at Humphries Weaving. As bespoke fabric manufacturers who work directly with clients and companies to create their fabrics into woven reality, sometimes you don’t know where your next project might take you. This year, not only are we able to celebrate the projects we have completed but also the Awards and recognition the mill has received for sustainability as well as the private visit of her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales in September.
At the start of the year, we launched our new website, marking a new chapter at Humphries Weaving & officially welcoming guests in our newly decorated showroom.
We love our digital showcase of some of the wonderful projects we create, bringing our world of bespoke textiles to life. Here is the story of our new showroom space to welcome customers. If you would like to visit us, get in touch with our team.
We also visited Deco Off in Paris and will be visiting again in 2026, let us know if you would like to see Charlotte from the team!
In February, we celebrated the completion of the project at Arundel Castle, Natalie Mumford had the pleasure of attending the party hosted by the Duchess of Norfolk to celebrate the makers involved in restoring the Queen Victoria’s State bedroom at Arundel Castle. These craftsmen included: Sevinch Passementerie, R D Robins Upholsterer, Hesp & Jones, J 5 Interiors, Chyrowski Studio.
Find out more about this project on our portfolio page or the article in Country Life (3rd September 2025) ‘Fit for a queen: The Story of Queen Victoria’s state bed at Arundel Castle’ By Annabel Westman documents the approach and history.
In March, Charlotte worked with V&A Academy and spoke at their Made In London Course, focusing on the past history and present industry of Weaving and Spitalfields.
Find out more about this project on our portfolio page or the article in Country Life (3rd September 2025) ‘Fit for a queen: The Story of Queen Victoria’s state bed at Arundel Castle’ By Annabel Westman documents the approach and history.
As well as, finishing weaving the custom design for Highclere Castle, Merica bedroom
In April, we had the pleasure of weaving a special panel in honour of His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester’s visit to Gainsborough House, for the exhibition Masterpieces from Kenwood: The Splendour of British & French Painting.
As well as we wove our Diamond Carriage Cloth for Jonathan Wood client’s Hispano Suiza car’s silk cushions. Photographs with thanks from Simon Kidston.
In May, whilst Charlotte was in New York and Newport, we were honoured to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise, for our work on sustainable textile production. The King’s Award For Enterprise Sustainable Development recognises outstanding UK businesses and is the most prestigious business award in the country.
“Sustainable development means meeting today’s needs without ruining the ability of future generations to meet theirs, balancing economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection (the “three pillars”) to create a thriving world for everyone long-term.”
In the same month Natalie had the honour of representing the mill at the official King’s Award reception held by His Majesty the King at Windsor Castle. Sharing exchanges with The Princess Royal, president of the UKFT who also visited the mill in 2017, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Duke of Gloucester, who met some of the team on his visit to Gainsborough House earlier in the year. As well as other awardees from a bakery to Brompton bikes!
In June, The Henry Ford Estate shared the fabric which we reproduced for them using the cushion from an original sofa from the home of Clare & Henry Ford, in Michigan USA.
In July, we were winding a custom coloured warp for the Gretchen Brocatelle, in Gretchen Gold, a historic project which we worked closely with Clean Edge System and the house owner, to create the perfect gold silk for wall upholstery.
In August, not all of our work is for historic houses, but all of our work is bespoke to each project. We were scheming with our plain fabric for a walling project with an interior designer. Weaving with luxurious fibres such as silk, wool and linen, we can create fabric to line your home with to create a wonderful, soft atmosphere.
In September, the Princess of Wales was welcomed to Sudbury Silk Mills by Managing Director Julius Walters, who is the10th generation of the Walters family, alongside Geoffrey Probert HM Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, Cllr. Andy Welsh the Mayor of Sudbury, and members of the national press. Natalie Mumford, Director of Humphries Weaving, acted as host for the visit and was delighted to introduce the specialists within the mill.
We place great emphasis on our people and the local community and take pride in generating employment for local people into roles with training and long-term development, enabling them to grow their skills and knowledge. Internal development is particularly important and the number of people that have been able to progress and develop their careers within the company is something of which we are very proud. We were delighted that some of our team had the opportunity to share their experience with Her Royal Highness, each with their own unique story.
In October, Natalie and Charlotte had a wonderful trip to Scotland, visiting beautiful private homes and castles. We can’t wait to show what we were doing there!
In November, we welcomed Clare, Countess of Euston, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, for the formal presentation of The King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.
(also Pictured here Mark Pendlington, DL has been appointed to the role by His Majesty The King, succeeding Clare, Countess of Euston, CVO, when she retires in April 2026).
In December, we knotted in and wove this beautiful custom stripe warp for a private home. Custom colour and bespoke weaving is our a specialty of ours, if you have a project and would like to develop your own colour & fabric, contact us and come and visit us in the new year.
After a busy year at Humphries Weaving, we are looking forward to a welcome break. The mill will be closed from 23rd December until 5th of January, when we will look forward to welcoming you to our showroom or visiting you!
