My interest in the Dorset Button industry was developed during my time as Chairman of two museums – Shaftesbury Abbey Museum & Garden and Gold Hill Museum.
Social history has always been an interest of mine and Dorset Buttons stemmed from this interest. Having read the available history on these small simple buttons, and seen them in museum collections, I realised how important they were in shaping the livelihoods of ordinary people living in East Dorset. This interest grew into a passion and I not only learnt how to make Dorset Buttons, but also researched their history and the impact of national events on this cottage industry.
