Latest news with #CharlesJones
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Inside Crockett And Jones With Managing Director Jonathan Jones
Crockett & Jones campaign A master of shoemaking since 1879, Crockett & Jones has built a reputation for crafting the finest shoes from their headquarters in Northampton. Still family-run, the brand continues to grow its loyal customer base, who all appreciate handcrafted Goodyear-welted footwear that are made with the same care as they were over a century ago. It's no surprise then, that the brand appeals to well-dressed men. Worn by some of the most quintessentially British names, cue Daniel Craig (as James Bond), Prince William, Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hardy, Crockett & Jones has been their go-to for everything from red carpets to royal engagements. Managing Director Jonathan Jones, great-grandson of co-founder Charles Jones Managing Director Jonathan Jones, great-grandson of co-founder Charles Jones, discusses the heritage of his family's brand, the art of British shoemaking, and the future of Crockett & Jones. Jonathan Jones: At Crockett & Jones, we strive to maintain the same standards set by our predecessors. Whilst our machinery has been updated over the years, we fundamentally follow the same processes with an emphasis on quality. We have operated in the same buildings since the 1890s, and take inspiration from our classic styles produced a hundred years ago. The words of one of our founders, below, form part of our DNA; 'Apply the best that is in you to the subject of technical education. Whether it be in the making of lasts, or the patterns, or the manipulation of materials, do not be satisfied until you have done your very best. Do not say 'This will do' or 'That is near enough.' If it is not right it ought not to do. Whether it is in the boot making or in the selling your aim should be to get the best fit possible. You will thereby cement the loyal support of your customers. Cultivate a sense of personal responsibility. Keep your own counsel and with perseverance and proficiency, such as you can attain by close technical study, you are bound to succeed.'- Sir James Crockett Crockett & Jones heritage shot JJ: We take this to mean aiming to be the best in our standards of workmanship and use of materials. The high standards of earlier shoemakers act as an inspiration for us. This knowledge and expertise is passed down from generation to generation. Crockett & Jones heritage shot JJ: The manufacture of high-quality Goodyear-welted shoes remains very labour intensive, requiring a highly-skilled workforce to carry out more than 200 separate operations during an eight-week period. This method, originated by hand-makers centuries ago, gives the shoes an exceptional degree of strength, durability and comfort in wear. The Goodyear welting process spans several production departments, each necessitating a multitude of different skills and experiences to ensure the shoes are completed to our exacting standards. Many of the operations, relying on excellent hand-eye coordination, take years to learn, and a lifetime to master. Crockett & Jones campaign JJ: High-quality materials, skilled labour, consistency through our management and continuity through thoughtful product development. JJ: There are many, the most important fundamentals of shoemaking, that have the biggest, and maybe lesser-known impacts on customers are leather quality — the quality of the leather we are using is second to none. We source our calf leather from the best tanneries in Europe, some of whom we have been dealing with for more than 50 our fit, the shoes and boots fit extremely well and are often regarded as comfortable from the first wear. These are the tried and tested reasons why many of our customers continue to return to Crockett & Jones time and again, and repeat business remains the foundation of our company's strength. There are, of course, other design details that one could highlight but the true value of our shoes lies in the materials and the fit. Crockett & Jones campaign JJ: Sustainability is a broad subject that companies can approach from many different perspectives. We believe the Crockett & Jones ethos is inherently sustainable. There are a few reasons why we consider our shoes to be more sustainable than much of the footwear around today. Materials: In our opinion, you can only produce high quality shoes by utilising and fully understanding high quality materials. All of the leathers used in the production of Crockett & Jones shoes are a by-product of the meat industry which, if not used, would be waste. By utilising high quality, natural materials in the production of our shoes we ensure they age well, in accordance with their owners! Crockett & Jones heritage shot Repairable: One of the benefits of owning a pair of Goodyear welted shoes is that you can have them re-soled without damaging the uppers, thereby prolonging their lifespan for many years. Think of it as giving your footwear a second lease of life! Timeless Product Development: As a family run business, Crockett & Jones is not at the mercy of shareholder pressure or growth driven strategies, and we do not overproduce our products or flood the market with seasonal changes. Sustaining our production to meet the demand from sales is a balancing act that requires great skill and even greater knowledge. Continually studying sales data to understand customer demand in turn minimises seasonal wastage, and reduces product discounting. The result of the above is a collection of footwear that truly stands the test of time with 'longevity', a word seldom used in 'fashion', at its core. Consumers have a responsibility to 'buy less and buy better.' Thinking of the long-term and sending shoes back to be repaired and rejuvenated is the right approach for the future. Crockett & Jones campaign JJ: We have participated in three James Bond films; the first one being Skyfall in which we had four C&J shoes featured. The styles were chosen for the films in collaboration with the Eon Production team together with input from Daniel Craig who was familiar with our collection. Crockett & Jones campaign JJ: We are great believers in maintaining continuity. Whilst we are operating in times when newness and marketing image is considered important, our loyalty comes from the consistency of workmanship, design, collections and service that we provide. Crockett & Jones remains committed to producing timeless, stylish and wearable classics. We consciously don't chop and change our product collections thereby ensuring that customers are able to re-purchase their trusty pair of Boston in Dark Brown Suede or Connaught in Black Calf (that they may have loved for two, three or even four decades!) Choosing materials and colorways that stand the test of time means that styles like our Coniston Derby Boots in Tan Scotch Grain, perhaps purchased in the mid-90s, remain as up to date today as the date they left our factory. However, as an example of evolution, Coniston is now available in additional versions including Dark Brown Scotch Grain, the very popular Dark Brown Rough-Out Suede and Black Rough-Out Suede with a lightweight, chunky rubber sole - a very different aesthetic from the original but still Coniston. Crockett & Jones campaign JJ: With the global trend for casual dressing and sneakers becoming mainstream, the market for traditional craft made shoes is gradually reducing. However this will create opportunities for the remaining high-quality makers of traditional leather shoes when trends change and demand recovers. We think high quality shoes like ours, that last and look better over time, will be even more valued and appreciated in the future. There is potential for us to therefore attract more customers and increase our distribution around the world. It's always a challenge to maintain the high standards of our shoe making, but satisfying to know how much our customers appreciate the finished product! Crockett & Jones campaign
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fun to Do: Street art, pirate festival, acrobatics and more
Looking for something to do during the next week? Here are just a few happenings in Hampton Roads. The ViBe Creative District will host its second annual VB Street Art Festival, featuring more than a dozen selected artists from Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Vancouver, British Columbia. Artists will paint Friday through Sunday on 18th and 19th streets, Virginia Beach Oceanfront. For more information or artist bios, visit Denim and Diamonds concert series, featuring King George and Sir Charles Jones with Marcellus the Singer, Cecily Wilborn, Fat Daddy. 8 p.m. Friday at Portsmouth Pavilion, 16 Crawford Circle. Tickets start at $49.85. For more information or to buy tickets online, visit Blackbeard Pirate Festival, featuring the Grand Pirate Bash and Blackbeard's Pirate Encampment. The Bash is from 7-10 p.m. Friday at Virginia Air & Space Science Center, Settlers Landing Road, Hampton. Tickets are $35, but limited. The festival, including Pirate Encampment, is from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Mill Point Park, 100 Eaton St., Hampton. For the complete schedule, visit Virginia Arts Festival presents soprano Renée Fleming performing 'Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene,' featuring pianist Howard Watkins. 3 p.m. Sunday at Harrison Opera House, 160 W. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. Tickets start at $58. To buy online, visit Guitarist Ace Frehley brings his '10,000 Volts' tour to Virginia Beach. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Market St. Tickets start at $65.15, which includes fees. To buy online, visit UniverSoul Circus returns, bringing more than 30 years of acrobatics to Hampton Roads. 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, with dates and times through June 22 under a big top tent next to Military Circle mall, 880 N. Military Highway, Norfolk. Tickets start at $43.95, which includes fees. For more information, visit For discounts including 'Me + 3' four-pack options, visit Events may change. Check before attending. Want more information about what's happening around Hampton Roads? Sign up for our Weekend Scoop newsletter. Patty Jenkins,
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blues singer Sir Charles Jones to bid farewell with Shreveport concert
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — American blues and Southern soul singer Sir Charles Jones will be performing live in Shreveport. Grammy-award winner Ashanti to perform live at the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel The artist will take the stage for his Farewell Show, where fans can enjoy him performing some of his biggest hits. He released his self-titled debut album in 2000. Some of his popular songs include 'For Your Love,' 'Never Let You Go,' and 'For Better or Worse.' According to his website, Jones' sophomore album, Love Machine, spent 57 weeks on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaked at number 28. Beyonce adds this Louisiana native to Cowboy Carter tour setlist Jones' farewell show will also feature special performances by Avail Hollywood, Big Kue, Badd Newz, Miss Lady Blues, and Myia B Music. The event will take place on Saturday, July 12, at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, starting at 8:00 PM. To buy your tickets, visit Ticketmaster. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour under attack for £400m sewage plant ‘the size of Wembley Stadium'
The Environment Secretary has been attacked for his decision to relinquish swathes of Cambridge's green belt for a £400m sewage plant as big as Wembley Stadium. Steve Reed has approved controversial plans to relocate Anglian Water's sewage plant in Milton to Honey Hill, as part of a major development across Cambridge which will include 8,000 new homes. It comes despite a backlash from local residents and advice from planning inspectors to withhold the plans to build sealed sewage digesters as tall as 26m on agricultural land. The new plant would occupy 22 hectares – exceeding Wembley Stadium's 18 hectares of internal floor space. The Government has committed £277m of taxpayer money on the project, with total costs running to £400m. Despite assurances from Anglian Water, local communities have warned that nearby villages and schools will be affected by fumes emitted from the plant. Charles Jones, a resident of nearby village Fen Ditton, said: 'Anglian Water says it's unlikely we'd have any odour problems in the village – but that's not the same as saying you never would. 'There's a number of stresses here, but the most immediate thing is, we are going to lose a slice of Cambridge's green belt. To see it go with this big industrial thing in the middle of it … Next thing you know, you'll get speculative developments around the outside. 'It'll all end up being spoilt and not very good to anybody.' Mr Reed gave the green light to plans to deliver 5,500 homes on the site of the vacated plant, as well as an extra 1,425 homes on land that had otherwise been constrained by an 'odour zone' around the Milton site. The historic city is central to Labour's ambitions to build 1.5m homes by the end of parliament. It has mandated the Cambridge Growth Company to draw up a housing target for the city, which could add hundreds and thousands of homes by 2050. Ministers are also on a drive to increase building on green belt land. Under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's planning reforms, large swathes of green belt land have also been redesignated as 'grey belt' areas to make it easier to build homes on. Heather Williams, leader of the Conservatives at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said the decision is 'sad and devastating' for residents, and that ministers appear to be treating Cambridge as a 'cash cow' at the expense of the countryside. Ms Williams said: 'The Government needs to understand that for us in the countryside, this is our quality of life that they're messing around with. The stress they have put people through, to then just ignore the evidence and do what they want – it's cruel. 'Where we're heading as a country is very concerning, because the green belt can't be replaced – once it's gone, it's gone.' Campaigners are assessing the scope for a judicial review and looking to raise funds for the undertaking. Margaret Starkie, chairman of the Save Honey Hill campaign group, said: 'Cambridge is such a crowded, small city that we need these green spaces. 'As you drive towards Cambridge, your entrance from the east will be overshadowed by stacks as high as 26m, taking up an area as big as Wembley's football grounds. This will have such a terrible impact.' 'We are angry that the process is such that it's really not fit for purpose, that planning inspectors with many years of experience, who looked very carefully at everybody's submissions, should have their recommendations thrown out at the whim of a Secretary of State.' A spokesman for Defra said: 'The Secretary of State's decision follows a thorough examination during which all the relevant issues were considered in detail.' David Barnetson, of Anglian Water, said Mr Reed's decision was 'a significant milestone in facilitating this for Greater Cambridge and moving to the next phase of activity'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
10-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Labour under attack for £400m sewage plant ‘the size of Wembley Stadium'
The Environment Secretary has been attacked for his decision to relinquish swathes of Cambridge's green belt for a £400m sewage plant as big as Wembley Stadium. Steve Reed has approved controversial plans to relocate Anglian Water's sewage plant in Milton to Honey Hill, as part of a major development across Cambridge which will include 8,000 new homes. It comes despite a backlash from local residents and advice from planning inspectors to withhold the plans to build sealed sewage digesters as tall as 26m on agricultural land. The new plant would occupy 22 hectares – exceeding Wembley Stadium's 18 hectares of internal floor space. The Government has committed £277m of taxpayer money on the project, with total costs running to £400m. Despite assurances from Anglian Water, local communities have warned that nearby villages and schools will be affected by fumes emitted from the plant. Charles Jones, a resident of nearby village Fen Ditton, said: 'Anglian Water says it's unlikely we'd have any odour problems in the village – but that's not the same as saying you never would. 'There's a number of stresses here, but the most immediate thing is, we are going to lose a slice of Cambridge's green belt. To see it go with this big industrial thing in the middle of it … Next thing you know, you'll get speculative developments around the outside. 'It'll all end up being spoilt and not very good to anybody.' Mr Reed gave the green light to plans to deliver 5,500 homes on the site of the vacated plant, as well as an extra 1,425 homes on land that had otherwise been constrained by an 'odour zone' around the Milton site. The historic city is central to Labour's ambitions to build 1.5m homes by the end of parliament. It has mandated the Cambridge Growth Company to draw up a housing target for the city, which could add hundreds and thousands of homes by 2050. Ministers are also on a drive to increase building on green belt land. Under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's planning reforms, large swathes of green belt land have also been redesignated as 'grey belt' areas to make it easier to build homes on. Heather Williams, leader of the Conservatives at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said the decision is 'sad and devastating' for residents, and that ministers appear to be treating Cambridge as a 'cash cow' at the expense of the countryside. Ms Williams said: 'The Government needs to understand that for us in the countryside, this is our quality of life that they're messing around with. The stress they have put people through, to then just ignore the evidence and do what they want – it's cruel. 'Where we're heading as a country is very concerning, because the green belt can't be replaced – once it's gone, it's gone.' Campaigners are assessing the scope for a judicial review and looking to raise funds for the undertaking. Margaret Starkie, chairman of the Save Honey Hill campaign group, said: 'Cambridge is such a crowded, small city that we need these green spaces. 'As you drive towards Cambridge, your entrance from the east will be overshadowed by stacks as high as 26m, taking up an area as big as Wembley's football grounds. This will have such a terrible impact.' 'We are angry that the process is such that it's really not fit for purpose, that planning inspectors with many years of experience, who looked very carefully at everybody's submissions, should have their recommendations thrown out at the whim of a Secretary of State.' A spokesman for Defra said: 'The Secretary of State's decision follows a thorough examination during which all the relevant issues were considered in detail.' David Barnetson, of Anglian Water, said Mr Reed's decision was 'a significant milestone in facilitating this for Greater Cambridge and moving to the next phase of activity'.
