Eastcombe WI

KAREN welcomed members and three visitors to the meeting by saying she hoped they would enjoy the evening.

It is the time of year for obtaining names of members prepared to stand for the new committee so members were asked to complete the nomination forms provided.

Marion explained that the exhibition at the Folk Museum in Gloucester had been extended until Christmas but that from October 1, the museum would only be open on Saturdays and at half term.

Members were reminded of various dates – September 24, lunch club will be at The Ram, Bussage and the October one will be October 29, at Hunters Hall.

The food club will meet at Bisley Farm Shop at 6.30pm on Tuesday, September 22.

The craft group will meet at Pauline’s on September 30 from 2 – 4pm and on October 27 at Olive’s.

The Italian Evening fundraiser to provide a local defibrillator will be on September 29.

Members were asked to arrive at 7.30pm and to remember to bring a bottle with them.

After refreshments Karen introduced Shaun Bird, the speaker for the evening. Shaun is the Operations Manager for Turnball and Asser, by Appointment to HRH Prince of Wales Shirtmakers.

Shaun explained that the company was founded 130 years ago in a factory in Walthamstow, London and had moved first to Gloucester and then to its present factory in Quedgeley.

He has worked 31 years with the company starting in London then moving to Gloucestershire.

The company has shops in Jermyn Street. London and New York.

The factory makes about 70,000 shirts a year of which 18,000 are bespoke.

A bespoke shirt has 30 – 40 measurements taken before a pattern is made, followed by a sample shirt that is fitted with maybe a second sample, before the final shirt is handmade.

Once this has been done the pattern is kept in a book ready for future orders. Shirts can be re-fitted for customers and can be re-cuffed or re-collared if necessary.

There are 25 processes from pattern cutting, collar and cuff assembly, button holing and pressing to make a shirt.

There are 65 machinists with only eight on the collar section which is the most difficult to do.

A bespoke shirt used to take 14 weeks to complete but since expanding to the American market is now done in two and a half weeks plus an extra week if embroidery is required.

Most shirts are made from finest Egyptian cotton which is woven in Italy, although some summer shirts are made from linen and some from a cashmere and cotton mixture.

Buttons are handmade in Italy by traditional methods using mother of pearl shells.

Shaun said that the company had supplied shirts for the James Bond films and had dressed all the Bonds with a limited edition being made for the Casino Royale film.

They had also supplied shirts for The Sting, Mission Impossible and Kingsman films as well as many famous people.

Prince Charles visited the factory in 2013 spending time in various departments and using some of the machines.

The company now makes boxer shorts, pyjamas and nightshirts, ties, pocket chiefs and ladies’ shirts as well as traditional shirts.

They now take part in London Fashion Week and advertise although in the past as shirtmakers they were passed down from father to son and grandson.

Shaun concluded his talk by answering members’ questions.

He was thanked for his most interesting and informative talk by Glenys.