As the global mattress industry races to cut costs, simplify sourcing, and scale up margins, one British manufacturer is taking a radically different approach.

Norfolk, UK. April 23rd 2025 – Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Company, a Royal Warrant-holding heritage brand based in Norfolk, has just launched its Traceable Wool Mattress Collection — and in doing so, it’s challenging long- standing industry norms around wool sourcing, transparency, and sustainability.

This new collection is crafted using hand-teased British wool but unlike other manufacturers that rely on a single large-scale wool supplier, Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. has created a network of British farms supplying fleece of varying scale, location, and character. 

From shepherds with just a few sheep to larger flocks of over 3,000, every farm is paid above market rate, with fast, fair compensation that allows even the smallest holdings to remain viable.

The Status Quo: Profitable for Retailers, Devastating for Farmers. The problem? It’s systemic.

Across the UK, sheep farmers face a harsh reality. The value of raw fleece has plummeted in recent years. For many, the price paid by British Wool doesn’t even cover the cost of shearing, and in some cases, farmers have opted to burn wool because selling it results in a net loss.

“We’ve seen the disconnect up close,” says Amanda Oldfield, Managing Director and founder of Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. “Farmers are being squeezed while the market keeps charging more. It’s a model that rewards volume and convenience — not fairness, sustainability, or true quality.”

By going against the grain, Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co. is demonstrating that it’s possible to build a product that is ethically sourced, beautifully made, and commercially viable — all while restoring value to the material itself.

A Cooperative-Led Sourcing Model

Rather than purchasing from a centralised depot or aggregator, the company has built a small cooperative of British farms. Some are multi-generational businesses on the moors. Others are new entrants with a few dozen animals. This diverse model reflects the real face of British sheep farming and directly supports those who are often left behind in mass-market economics.

“The reality is that larger farms can often survive on meat alone,” says Amanda. “But smaller farms rely heavily on wool. By paying more, and paying quickly, we’re helping rebalance an economy that’s been skewed for too long.”

The company hopes this model will inspire other manufacturers to reconsider their sourcing chains, not just from an ethical standpoint, but as a business opportunity. “Consumers are ready for products with meaning, provenance, and principle,” Amanda adds. “And we believe the future belongs to companies who are willing to lead, not follow.”

Handcrafted in Britain – Built to Last

Each mattress in the Traceable Wool Collection is handmade using traditional techniques, including hand-teasing of wool — a process that enhances comfort, airflow, and longevity.

There are no foams, no fillers, and no synthetic fire retardants — just layers of natural fibres like British wool, alpaca, cotton, horsetail, and cashmere (in the Signature Collection).

The company has designed three mattress ranges to cater to different needs:

Why Traceability Matters Now More Than Ever

The growing consumer demand for traceability has put pressure on brands to show their working. But transparency without real-world impact is just marketing. This collection offers traceability with teeth — including named farm sourcing, direct engagement, and on-the-ground insight into how the wool was raised and handled.

It’s a genuine effort to realign customer values with production practices — not just because it sounds good, but because it’s what the industry should have been doing all along.

The Environmental Cost of the Current System

Beyond economic fairness, there’s a clear ecological argument for change. Unsold or underpaid wool is often treated as waste, even though it is biodegradable, renewable, and naturally fire-retardant. In contrast, the foams and petrochemical fillers used by mainstream manufacturers are resource-intensive and land-fill bound.

“Wool is one of the most sustainable materials on earth,” Amanda says. “It regulates temperature, repels dust mites, and doesn’t require flame-retardant chemicals. Ignoring its value is not just bad economics — it’s bad for the planet.”

Wrought Iron and Brass Bed Co.’s direct-to-farm model also helps reduce carbon emissions, bypassing the delays and detours that fleece typically endures when processed through the centralised supply chain.

Rethinking the Supply Chain — from Soil to Sleep

As sustainability becomes a non-negotiable in modern manufacturing, the question is no longer “can we afford to do this?” — but rather, “can we afford not to?”

This collection is a blueprint for what mattress manufacturing can look like when principle drives practice. It’s slower. It’s more complex. But it’s undeniably better.

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Chorley, UK. April 23rd 2025 – Global process control and instrumentation equipment provider Fine Controls has renewed its contracts with Bespoke Digital Agency for the twentieth year in a row.

Established over thirty years, Wirral-based Fine Controls provides process controls and instrumentation solutions to manufacturers in a wide range of sectors, but especially chemical, power, energy and water industries.

Last year, Bespoke delivered an updated version of the two-thousand page website as part of its ongoing web design work in Preston and surrounding areas, following a series of strategy and design workshops.

Through the workshops, Bespoke worked with Fine Controls on refreshed key objectives for the site, customers profiles and ecommerce strategy, which led to a restructure of the existing site to increase user-friendliness and boost performance. 

The updated site also provides integration with Fine Controls’ stock control system and digital payment provider, and a secure log-in area for customers providing easy access to previous orders. 

Further added features include “you may also like” hints at checkout, linking to related products, and a regularly refreshed “featured products” section to help customers with their search. 

Fine Controls has now also renewed its digital marketing retainer with Bespoke, which has generated an average annual increase in sales for the company of 12% every year since the client and agency first began working together. 

Bespoke Co-founder & CEO Steve Brennan said: “Since its inception in 1994, Fine Controls has been supplying cost-effective yet responsible, reliable and tech-led process controls and instrumentation equipment in a broad variety of sectors.

“Partnering with leading brands, they are known for their speed of response and delivery of parts, and their support staff are all qualified engineers with a wealth of experience in process control and instrumentation.

“We’re very proud to have worked in partnership with them, now going into the twentieth year, having worked together so successfully through the highs and lows of everything from Brexit to Covid.”

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London, UK. April 7th 2025 – Three new clinicians have joined the London Bridge Sports Medicine Group (LBSM Group) as they look to serve more patients across London and further afield.

The group has grown with the addition of Sport and Exercise Medicine Consultants Dr Lewis Raiman and Dr Richard Antbring, and MSK and Sports Podiatrist Maddie Tait. LBSM supports a wide range of patients, from casual sports enthusiasts to elite athletes, helping their recovery from sports-related illnesses, and improving their performance.

Dr Ajai Seth, Founder and Medical Director of LBSM Group said: “I’m thrilled to welcome Lewis, Maddie and Richard to the LBSM Group and to be able to support a larger community of fitness enthusiasts in London and beyond. My mission has always been to keep people fit, active and away from injury and I know that they have that same philosophy, so they’re a really great fit for us.”

Maddie Tait, a Musculoskeletal and Sports Podiatrist, is already helping patients at LBSM Group’s clinics at Old Broad Street and in the Shard. 

Her addition to the team will provide greater support to injured patients through her expertise in foot and ankle injuries and biomechanics of the lower limbs, as well as those needing braces, boots and orthotics.

Ms Tait said: “I really enjoy helping patients improve their quality of life and achieve their personal goals, and working with Ajai, Richard and Lewis means I can bring ongoing support for our patients with complex foot and ankle injuries. I also perform gait and biomechanical assessments to help athletes improve their performance, and provide measuring and fitting services for our specialist orthotics and braces for those recovering from injury. So it’s a brilliant, varied and really interesting role.”

Dr Lewis Raiman, a Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine, opened the group’s new Highgate clinic in North London.

On his appointment to the new role, Dr Raiman said: “I’ve known Ajai for a long time and it made so much sense to join LBSM because of the infrastructure he’s built, and his passion for helping people keep fit and healthy aligns we mine, so I’m glad that we can now support patients in North London and Hertfordshire too.”

Dr Richard Antbring, a Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine, opened the group’s second new location in Mile End, East London and also sees patients in Highgate.

 

At the opening of the new clinic, Dr. Antbring said: “East London has so many thriving local sports groups and facilities that I was really delighted when the opportunity came up to work with Ajai and LBSM to open a new clinic in Mile End, and see patients in Highgate, too. I’m committed to providing individual and personalised care and again it’s something that fits in well with the LBSM approach.”

Clinicians Tait, Raiman, and Antbring will play a pivotal role in delivering specialised care to people across London. 

 “We already help thousands of patients recover from poor health and achieve their goals no matter how big or small they are, so to have them on board to expand our sports injury and performance medicine services is just fantastic.” said Dr Ajai Seth.

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Aylesbury, UK. April 17th 2025 – In an astonishing coincidence, Aylesbury-based author Alan Nettleton may have predicted a real-life scientific breakthrough in his children’s science fiction novel Space Kids – The Journey of Hope, published in 2021.

Written mainly to inspire the author’s own children, the book features a 12-year-old girl named Sophie who leads a daring space mission to the distant exoplanet K2-18b. On this imagined world, Sophie and her child-only team discover intelligent alien life. Fast-forward to 2025, and scientists from the University of Cambridge have now detected potential signs of life on the very same planet.

“It’s surreal,” says Nettleton. “When I picked K2-18b as the setting for Sophie’s adventure, it was one of many distant planets I could have chosen for the story. I never imagined the real planet would make headlines just a few years later.”

The Cambridge team, using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), recently observed chemical signatures in the planet’s atmosphere that include dimethyl sulphide (DMS), a gas on Earth only produced by living organisms such as marine microbes. If confirmed, this could be the most compelling evidence yet of biological activity beyond our solar system.

“This is the strongest evidence yet there is possibly life out there,” said Professor Nikku Madhusudhan, who led the study. “If this association holds, then this planet could be teeming with life.”

The detection is currently at a confidence level of 99.7%—high, but still below the five-sigma threshold required for a scientific confirmation. Nevertheless, the coincidence between the fictional story and the cutting-edge science unfolding now has captured the imagination of local readers and scientists alike.

Space Kids – The Journey of Hope was the debut novel of Alan Nettleton, who penned his first children’s sci-fi novel during lockdown. His work encourages curiosity about science and space exploration in children aged 8–12 and has been praised for its blend of adventure, optimism, and scientific accuracy.

“It just goes to show the power of storytelling,” Nettleton said. “I hope this inspires young people in Aylesbury and beyond to look up at the stars and wonder, ‘What if?’”

The scientific findings have been published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, with more data expected in the coming years.

Space Kids – The Journey of Hope is available to purchase on Amazon. https://amzn.eu/d/j78uhH8

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UK-Based Company Challenges Industry Standards with Innovative Manufacturing Process

London, UK. April 17th 2025 – DIY Splashbacks, the leading UK innovator in custom glass solutions, has unveiled ground breaking manufacturing techniques that make toughened antique mirror glass splashbacks accessible and affordable for homeowners across the United Kingdom. This technological advancement directly contradicts the longstanding industry claim that mirror glass cannot be toughened for safety and durability.

Customer Success Story Highlights Significant Cost Savings

Kent resident Michael recently experienced the transformative benefits of DIY Splashbacks’ innovations first hand. After receiving quotes exceeding £3,000 for an antique mirror splashback and being told by multiple installers that toughened glass mirrors were impossible to produce, Michael discovered DIY Splashbacks’ unique offerings.

“What sets DIY Splashbacks apart is not just their pioneering manufacturing process that successfully toughens mirror glass, but their comprehensive support system for customers,” Michael explained. “Their detailed online tutorials guided me through measuring and installing a custom 2.4 meter by 0.75 metre T-shaped antique mirror glass splashback myself, reducing the total cost to just £815 and saving me over £2,000.”

Innovation Meets Accessibility

DIY Splashbacks has developed proprietary manufacturing techniques that overcome traditional limitations in glass processing. This innovation enables homeowners to access premium design features previously available only at prohibitive costs.

“We’re proud to challenge industry misconceptions while making luxury kitchen features accessible to more homeowners,” said a spokesperson for DIY Splashbacks. “Our toughened antique mirror glass meets all safety standards while providing the distinctive aesthetic quality our customers desire.”

Empowering DIY Enthusiasts

Beyond manufacturing innovation, DIY Splashbacks has invested significantly in comprehensive educational resources, including:

These resources empower customers to complete professional-quality installations themselves, dramatically reducing overall costs without compromising on quality or safety.

DIY Splashbacks (www.diysplashback.co.uk) specializes in custom glass solutions including toughened mirror glass, printed glass, coloured glass splashbacks, and antique mirror glass splashbacks. Their innovative manufacturing processes and comprehensive customer support have established them as the UK’s premier provider of affordable, high-quality glass splashbacks for kitchens and bathrooms.

For additional information about toughened antique mirror glass splashbacks or other custom glass solutions, visit www.diysplashback.co.uk.

WALSALL, UK. April 17th, 2025 – A new 25% tariff on imported aluminum, imposed by the Trump administration last month, is driving up costs for critical U.S. infrastructure projects. 

Surespan Limited –  a key supplier of industrial access solutions for U.S. infrastructure – now faces major cost pressures due to these tariffs, which took effect on March 12, 2025. One month later, with the tariffs still in place, those added costs are rippling through public projects with an urgent financial impact.

In one case, a $500,000 infrastructure project currently out for re-bid has seen its price tag jump by an additional $150,000 solely due to the aluminum import tariff. Surespan is the only supplier capable of meeting this project’s highly specialized requirements, so the 25% tariff cost on its components is unavoidable. This means an effective 30% budget increase on the project – an overrun that will ultimately be paid by taxpayers, as public infrastructure is funded by municipal and federal budgets. Local officials scrambling to re-budget warn that these unforeseen costs could force cutbacks elsewhere or higher taxes at the community level.

“Our team at Surespan is committed to providing essential, high-quality components for American infrastructure. However, these tariffs create unavoidable cost pressures that are ultimately reflected in the price of public projects, placing a direct financial impact on the communities these projects serve,” said Robert Fletcher, Business Development Director at Surespan, underscoring the company’s concern. 

Surespan continues to work with project stakeholders to mitigate costs, but Fletcher noted that the tariff acts as a direct surcharge on public works that no amount of supplier efficiency can offset.

Broader Impact on Communities and Development

Economists and industry analysts nationwide confirm that these tariffs are inflating costs across multiple sectors and delaying key developments. Reports indicate that the 25% duty on steel and aluminum is driving up prices and extending lead times for projects in renewable energy and construction alike. Wind farm and power grid initiatives face higher material costs and potential delays as a result of the import taxes. In the construction industry, one homebuilder described materials prices as having “gone through the roof” since the tariffs took effect. For everyday Americans, these rising public project costs strain already-stretched household budgets, especially for lower- and middle-income communities. 

When infrastructure improvements cost more, the financial burden circles back to taxpayers – whether through increased taxes, utility fees, or diverted public funds that could have supported community services. With critical projects from road repairs to renewable energy installations now more expensive and slower to materialize, the tariffs are sparking urgent calls for policy attention.

Robert Fletcher added: “Stakeholders in both industry and government are watching closely. The added $150,000 on a single project is a stark example of a nationwide trend: tariff-driven cost surges that ultimately hit the public wallet.

“As infrastructure needs grow and funding is stretched thin, the pressure is on to address how trade policies are impacting the very communities they aim to protect. We are urging media and policy leaders to scrutinize these developments, as the true cost of tariffs becomes increasingly clear in towns and cities across America.”

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BEDFORD, UK. April 17th, 2025 – CRDOne, a growing digital marketing agency based in Bedford, has been shortlisted for both Business of the Year and Business Person of the Year at the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2025. This latest recognition follows a standout 2024 for the company, marked by a national Client Satisfaction Award and its strongest year of growth to date.

Founded in 2021 by Carl Darnell, CRDOne has steadily evolved from a solo freelance venture into a fast-growing search marketing agency. Focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses succeed online, the agency delivers practical, results-driven strategies across SEO, paid digital advertising and website design.

The dual nominations highlight the company’s impact and leadership within the local business community. The Business of the Year category celebrates CRDOne’s operational growth and client success, while the Business Person of the Year nomination recognises Carl Darnell’s entrepreneurial journey, from freelancer to agency founder, and his role in driving the company forward.

These accolades come shortly after CRDOne was named winner of the Client Satisfaction Award at the Business Awards UK in late 2024, a nod to its hands-on approach and long-term client partnerships.

Reflecting on the company’s progress, Carl said: “We’ve worked really hard to stay focused on what matters, delivering real results and staying honest with our clients. To be recognised not just nationally but now locally too is incredibly meaningful for our team.”

With the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards celebrating outstanding achievements across the region, the winners will be revealed at a ceremony in June 2025.

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Bridging Tradition and Innovation with a Global Sound

LOS ANGELES, USA. April 10th, 2025 – With Echoes of the East, acclaimed Indian classical vocalist Kamini Natarajan and her 14-year-old daughter Shivali Chandrashekar deliver a genre-defying debut that fuses the ancient with the avant-garde. The album, which dropped on March 21, 2025, reimagines Indian classical music for a new generation by intertwining it with deep house EDM—resulting in a strikingly global sonic tapestry.

This mother-daughter collaboration isn’t just unique—it’s a bold creative leap that seeks to elevate world fusion music to unprecedented heights. Born from their shared heritage and diasporic experience, Echoes of the East moves effortlessly between meditative ragas and pulsating electronic beats, inviting listeners to dance, reflect, and feel.

A Soundscape That Transcends Borders

Produced by genre-hopping veteran Ken Elkinson, who has over 100 albums to his name, the album showcases seamless production that doesn’t dilute tradition but amplifies it. Each track on Echoes of the East is carefully crafted to preserve the soul of Hindustani classical vocals while enveloping them in expansive, immersive electronic textures.

Tracks like “Rising Waves”, based on raga Kamod, set the tone with a vibrant, celebratory energy that feels both sacred and modern. “Regal Ascent”, grounded in raga Darbari Kanada, tells the mythological tale of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhana mountain—a story brought to life through deep, resonant tones and cinematic soundscapes. Meanwhile, “Euphoric Rays” offers an electrifying spin on the Gayatri Mantra, fusing Indian sargam with high-energy synths and dance-floor-ready momentum.

The result is a listening experience that transcends cultural and generational boundaries—a musical dialogue between past and future.

A Mother’s Legacy and a Daughter’s Voice

Kamini Natarajan is no stranger to innovation. A globally respected artist and teacher, she has spent her life mastering and evolving Indian classical music, performing for audiences across India, the U.S., and beyond. Known for her deep-rooted spiritual expression and genre-crossing collaborations, Kamini brings both reverence and risk to this project.

Her daughter, Shivali Chandrashekar, marks her debut with Echoes of the East—but her contribution goes far beyond a supporting role. A trained Hindustani vocalist since age five, Shivali co-composed songs, sang lead vocals, and helped shape the album’s creative direction. Born in Los Angeles and raised with a deep appreciation for her Indian roots, Shivali embodies the album’s very essence: duality, dynamism, and fearless expression.

“Music gives me the power to connect with my roots while also being myself,” says Shivali. “I want other teens to know that you don’t have to choose one identity—you can celebrate both.”

Cultural Milestone in the Making

“This album is a bridge—between generations, between musical traditions, and between cultures,” says Kamini Natarajan. “It reflects who we are as a family and as artists: rooted in the depth of Indian classical music but unafraid to explore and connect through modern sound.”

Echoes of the East is more than just a record—it’s a statement. At a time when genre lines are blurring and global identities are converging, this album offers a compelling blueprint for what modern multicultural music can be. It’s an invitation to explore the space where spiritual meets synthetic, tradition meets beat drop, and generations come together in harmony.

Poised to make waves across both electronic and world music scenes, Echoes of the East is not just a listening experience—it’s a movement.

The album was released worldwide on all digital platforms March 21, 2025. Listen now on Spotify.

Follow Kamini Natarajan at www.kaminimusic.com and on social media for more updates and behind-the-scenes content.

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EMBARGOED UNTIL 16/04/2025

Bath, UK. April 16th 2025 – Parents of the 735,000 three and four-year-olds being offered a school place today (primary school offer day, 16 April ’25), are urged to get their children’s sight tested before term starts in September to prevent them being disadvantaged in the classroom.

 

Good sight is essential to give all children the best possible start at school – youngsters with poor vision learn around only half as much as classmates who have good or corrected vision.[i] However, a new report from the charity Eye Health UK reveals that 70% of parents don’t take their children for a sight test before starting school (if EVER), leaving more than 100,000 pupils in the 2025 school starter cohort at risk of falling behind due to an undiagnosed vision problem.[ii]

 

David Cartwright, optometrist and chair of Eye Health UK explains: “One in five children in the UK has an undiagnosed vision problem that will hinder their learning and development. It’s often difficult for parents, carers or teachers to recognise when a child might be struggling with their eyesight*; however, sight tests are free (on the NHS) for all children at high street optical practices. Children requiring vision correction are also entitled to an NHS voucher that can be used to pay for glasses.”

 

David continues: “Starting school for the first time can feel stressful for parents and children but ensuring a child’s eyesight is up to scratch can help them settle-in quickly and aid their learning.” 

 

Twenty-one per cent of parents said they relied on school to check their child’s eyesight,[iii] however school vision screening is not a substitute for a comprehensive sight test at a high street optician.[iv] Many Local Authorities also fail to offer screening services. Research by BIOS (British and Irish Orthoptic Society) highlights how school vision screening is a postcode lottery as just 57% of authorities in England offer a service as directed by the National Screening Committee.[v]

 

Living with an undiagnosed eye condition can have profound consequences for any child. As well as affecting learning it can impact mental health, lead to low self-esteem, trigger headaches; cause difficulties building relationships and making friends, precipitate clumsiness and be mistaken for bad behaviour. Some symptoms also overlap with signs of dyslexia and ADHD.

 

The Our Children’s Eye Health report found a worrying number of parents are clueless when it comes to caring for their children’s vision and eye health. 

 

Two-thirds (64%) of parents surveyed for the report have no idea how often a child should have their eyes tested; whilst 6 in 10 (59%) parents aren’t aware that children’s sight tests are free at high street opticians. Seventy-five per cent have no idea that the NHS provides eyewear vouchers for children. A quarter (24%) of parents believe that their child does not need a sight test because the child’s eyes are “fine”.[vi]

 

All children should have their eyes tested at age three to four years and then every one to two years thereafter or as recommended by their optometrist. This advice applies even if you think your child’s eyes are “fine”.

Many parents are also unaware of signs of common childhood eye conditions including shortsightedness (myopia), lazy eye (amblyopia) and squint (strabismus). Fewer than half (49%) thought regular headaches could be linked to poor vision; just a third (33%) linked a turning or tilting head to possible difficulties with how well a child can see, whilst 29% recognised a dislike of bright lights and 13% linked orienting drawings poorly on paper with possible vison problems.

Parents are also failing to make the link between healthy habits and children’s sight. A staggering 86% of parents surveyed were unaware that time outdoors was important for eye health – despite spending two-hours-a-day outdoors being a factor in preventing myopia (short-sightedness).[vii]

 

Environmental factors during early childhood, particularly those that limit visual input or cause misalignment, play a significant role in the development of other childhood eye conditions too, including amblyopia (lazy eye).

 

David Cartwright explains: “Limiting screen time and balancing activities that require eyes to focus on close objects, such as reading, with time outdoors as well as engaging in activities to stimulate vision, are crucial, especially during a child’s early years when their eyes continue to develop.”

 

Protecting young eyes from the sun’s UV and serving up generous helpings of fruit, veg and oily fish are also important ways parents can help keep their children’s eyes healthy but just 32% of parents surveyed were aware of the importance of protecting against UV and only 34% made a connection between diet and eye health.[viii]

 

The Our Children’s Eye Health report also found that for 9 in 10 parents their local opticians would not the first place they would seek help if their child experienced problems with their eye health despite many practices offering NHS appointments for urgent and minor eye conditions.

 

Routine sight tests from age three or four are crucial to give kids the happiest, healthiest start in life. Read the Our Children’s Eye Health report and discover more at www.visionmatters.org.uk

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