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Made in Great Britain S01E01-S01E03 (1280x720p HD, 50fps, soft Eng subs)
E01 Steel
In this episode, four craft-makers experience Sheffield's rapid transformation from a rural market town to an industrial powerhouse that built modern Britain known as 'Steel City'. Sheffield became famous throughout the world for making high-quality steel blades and cutlery. Steph McGovern takes them through the ages and they are guided by local Sheffield cutler Corin Mellor. Starting in the 18th century, they are tasked with hand forging a scythe at Abbeydale Works. This farming tool found recent fame when used by a shirtless Poldark, but the makers discover it was one of Sheffield's biggest exports that launched Britain's steel industry. The process proves to be a hugely physical challenge. Next, they step into the heart of a Victorian production line to make cutlery stamped with the fashionable King's Pattern. Steph learns that the extravagant Victorian middle class had a different piece of cutlery for every type of food. They prepare the knives, forks and spoons ready for electroplating - 'blinging' up the cutlery by covering it in silver. The biggest innovations are yet to come. Travelling forward to the start of the 20th century, the makers learn that stainless steel was discovered in Sheffield, bringing affordable cutlery to the masses. They experience Sheffield's transformation into a war machine to defend Britain - making WWII commando knives using a heavy duty drop stamp. Now in the 21st century, Corin Mellor takes the makers to his state-of-the-art factory, David Mellor Design. Here, they make high-end stainless steel forks from one of factory's bestselling ranges. With the city's focus on quality rather than quantity, the craft-makers discover that Sheffield's historic cutlery industry is still thriving.
E02
This delectable episode traces our love affair with chocolate back to York. It was here that chocolate was transformed from a luxury drink for the rich into the nation's favourite treat. Presenter Steph McGovern leads the makers through the ages, guided by Yorkshireman and chocolatier Paul A Young.
Chocolate started as an expensive luxury drink. The makers begin the painstaking task of preparing the cocoa beans from scratch; roasting, shelling and grinding the beans, as would have been done in the Georgian era. Then in early Victorian times, the makers have to create a more affordable blended drink. They are appalled to learn that the ingredients include plaster, brick dust and crushed sea shells. The makers find a new respect for the health and safety laws that brought the poisoners to book.
Next, they make solid chocolate at last, made possible by Victorian ingenuity. They are creating hand-decorated chocolates with exotic flavours for an expensive selection box. The makers learn that late Victorian chocolate boxes were seen as the equivalent of a marriage proposal. In the 1930s, chocolate became available for all. The makers become Kit Kat developers, a snack created for the lunch boxes of the workers of Britain. This famous bar was invented in York and became one of the most successful chocolate bars in the entire world. Now in the 21st century, our four time travelling chocolatiers invent some artisanal chocolate bars of their own. They are all thrilled to have so much creative leeway and so many ingredients to choose from. It is clear that chocolate making is still thriving in York today.
E03
In this episode, the makers discover Luton's glamourous secret. While today the town is famous for its airport, it is a little-known fact that Luton once led the world in hat-making. The team learn how the hat industry was transformed from a small rural craft into a global fashion phenomenon. Even today, every fashionable milliner from Philip Treacy to Stephen Jones goes to Luton for their millinery supplies. Presenter Steph McGovern takes the makers through the ages, and they are guided by Awon Golding, a rising millinery star.
The makers begin their journey in the 18th century, making a fashionable straw Bergere hat. They sort individual pieces of straw into correct lengths, before plaiting it and hand-stitching it into a bonnet shape. The makers are shocked to learn that this painstaking work was done by children, some as young as 18 months old.
Next, it's the 1920s, when everyone in Britain was wearing a hat. The makers attempt to create a felt 'cloche' and 'trilby'. First, they make coloured dyes for their hats, which proves to be a long, arduous and smelly process. Then, they work against the clock to 'block' felt hats into shape in order to satisfy the massive demands of the era.
The makers then move into the world of modern-day couture millinery. There are still 17 hat-making businesses in Luton making extraordinary creations and their many high-profile clients include the royal family. Here, the makers are given complete free reign to produce a hat that expresses their personality.
First broadcast: November 2018
Duration: 1 hour per episode
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