From Britain with Love

Melin Tregwynt was founded by my grandfather in 1912, although the mill itself has been in continuous production since the 17th century. I originally worked as an architect before returning to the family business - I was the only son so I thought I should give it a go before it was too late. I soon realised that it was a great opportunity to develop my design and marketing skills and it has provided me with a very fulfilling job that I love.

When I joined the business my architectural training drew me to the repetition, structure and rhythm of pattern. During the 80s and 90s we reinvigorated the Welsh double cloth tradition, weaving geometric fabrics that photographed well and looked good on the printed page, and this pared down approach helped define the brand.

Determined to continue producing in Wales, we've thought hard about what we have to offer in a competitive market. A desire to push techniques and equipment to their limits has prompted a more creative process of designing on the loom, and today our unique range of blankets, throws and cushions can be found worldwide.

The mill is in a small remote valley in Pembrokeshire near the coast. My grandfather bought the mill in 1912 and through the 1920s and 30s it processed wool which was then woven by local workers. During and after the war there was a boom in the Welsh textile industry as wool for knitting was not rationed. My father, Howard Griffiths, left school at 14 to work in the mill and learnt on the job - he embraced the small scale industry and the tourism it inspired. Our front room at home became the mill shop and strangers were regularly invited in.

Welsh Tapestry, a heavy densely woven double cloth, was unique to Wales and used to make bedspreads, blankets and garments. It almost died out as every mill in Wales had made it and by undercutting rivals eventually priced themselves out of the market. We thought it was time to bring it back and give it a new identity, so we combined the tradition of the Welsh doublecloth and Carthenni blanket with beautiful colours and innovative modern design.

The Mondo Spots in red and aqua are our bestsellers, but it does change with time and some of our more recent designs like the St David’s Cross are proving to be very popular. We’re always looking for new ways to use our fabrics, so we’ve recently introduced a collection of upholstery fabrics. We’re really pleased with them and they've recently been selected by the BBC for their new offices in Manchester. We also have two new designs out this autumn - Tote and Multi Stripe, and we're working with John Lewis on a range of blankets to coincide with The Prince of Wales' Campaign For Wool. Next year in 2012 it will be our centenary year.

The appreciation we get from people liking what we do, and the feeling that we’re helping to maintain a tradition of weaving that might otherwise be lost.

To maintain a traditional craft and to continue helping to support the local community. We believe passionately that manufacturing has to remain, even in a small specialised form, in Britain. Our design students lead the world but you can only teach design when experience of manufacturing is also available, otherwise you can't understand the limitations of a technique and you lose the ability to test its boundaries. If you don’t understand how a product is made how can you design it?

Probably when we were commissioned by Waitrose to make the biggest picnic blanket in the world for a TV advertisement in 2008.  It was the size of four tennis courts and to make it we wove 20 rolls of cloth - each 2m wide by 45m long - which were sewn together in a sailmaker's loft in South Africa, before being taken to the film location. Everybody was up for the challenge and we produced the cloth in less than 4 weeks - it was a brilliant example of a team effort.

We have our own mail order catalogue, as well as a shop and cafe at our mill so visitors can come and see our products actually being woven. We're stocked in design-led retailers and we make bespoke products for hotels and designers. We also attend trade fairs in London, Paris, New York and Tokyo, and have stores and customers around the world.

We like anybody who is still making things in Britain, from individuals like Rupert Spira the potter, Ann Catrin Evas the metalworker, Donna Wilson working in wool, to larger companies such as Corgi and Benchmark, and designers like Emma Bridgewater who makes her pottery in Stoke.

We have a weekly farmers market in Fishguard which has lots of great producers of meat, cheeses and local beers - we try to buy local whenever possible. Several local restaurants have their own day boats which means you can always get fantastic fresh fish and a good lobster or crab locally.

Our best holiday is to be at home! North Pembrokeshire has a fantastic and unspoiled coast. Good places to stay locally are The Grove in Narberth and Llys Meddyg in Newport (and not just because they use our throws and cushions!). Both are also great for food, or try The Sloop Inn and The Shed in Porthgain. Slightly further afield The Harbourmaster in Aberaeron is wonderful place to stay and to eat.

I like to cycle the 5 miles to work. I often won’t see a car or another human being but I will see a buzzard, some rabbits, the occasional fox or badger, and lots of sheep. Walking our three labradors on Strumble Head, going out sea rowing with mates, or relaxing with my wife in our (very low maintenance!) garden.