Bakers of Colyton 1

Back from a lovely week in Sark and with Mr Ducker relaxing in the Peak District we wanted to share our recent trip to Baker's of Colyton...a trip that has been far too long in the offing. 

Anyway, we finally made it by train and then local bus to Colyton for some Devon sunshine, hospitality and surroundings that even my camera phone makes look idyllic.

The buildings may vary in age but Farrow and Ball would have a field day with the textures, colours and hues. The atmosphere is one of quiet, steady work with good natured chaps going about their daily work with the minimum of fuss in bucolic surroundings; creating the finest leathers in an entirely sustainable way. 

This site has been a tannery since Roman times and has been in the Baker family since 1862. The only oak bark tannery remaining in Britain, Bakers' tanning methods have been perfected over the centuries to create leather that is unrivalled - hard wearing, strong and with distinctive colours - that we use throughout our bespoke shoe construction and for students on our courses.

James arriving at Bakers

The original  thatched building at the entrance to the Bakers' site housed the original currier - responsible for dressing the tanned hides

A painterly palette

An scythe, hoe, spade and sickle keep nature at bay

Where the waste water from the tannery runs away; no chemicals or pollution

Looking down on the oak bark store

Dressed hides in beautiful mocha, caramel, sable and honey

Rows and rows of nails in the beams - a story of past activities

Even the floor vents are beautifully designed

The brass roller

Andrew Parr sharing his knowledge with James

Unsorted, stacked bends

Ropes from the tanning pits, preserved and strengthened with the tanning process

More from Bakers next week. Until then happy shoemaking!