A Trip to de Montfort University, Leicester

Hello once more to one and all. We are enjoying the last warm days of the summer, the sky is blue and the breeze is balmy - long may it last!

We've been on a trip this week...up to Leicester to visit De Montfort University. It was lovely to meet some of the footwear team; Nanette Westberg-Brown the Footwear Programme Course Leader...Head of Footwear Design, Steve Weston and Senior Lecturer, Phil Stewart, who we know from old. Nanette gave uis the full tour...

Deborah & Nanette in front of the last wall

Endless choices...

We haven't visited the footwear course for some time and were blown away by the V.J. Patel building where Art and Design is housed. It's a vast, open, airy building with windows overlooking the river and surrounded by old red-brick and shiny new University buildings.

The expansive and well-equipped closing room

Finishing machine

Design work and presentation

Student design work and prototypes on display

 The treat at the end of our visit was a walk through the corridor of workshop where students can do 3-D printing, prototyping, spray painting, woodwork etc., a veritable craftsman's playground! We're just wondering when they're starting mature student courses, because I think we'd both sign up like a shot!

3-D printing and prototyping

After much shoe talk, we then enjoyed a walk back to the station along New Walk (which isn't new at all, dating back as it does, 200 years!)

An imposing warehouse-style building

'Foot print' of an old building

All in all a great trip. We're looking forward to returning soon when the students are back to share some of our experience and experiences with them! Until next week, happy shoe making everyone.