The return of the BAFTA/Shell International and John Player award-winning series. 1: On the Carpet
This series of six programmes follows new ventures off the drawing board out into the risky world of manufacturing and selling. The pioneers of the Industrial Revolution created wealth for Britain and themselves. What reward is there for today's industrial innovator? Is Britain losing the skills which made her great?
The past year has witnessed a crucial struggle between ancient and modern in the carpet industry. Michael Rodd has been with the Worcestershire weavers, traditional craftsmen who make carpets today as lovingly and precisely as their Victorian forefathers. Judith Hann reports on the threat from the North, Edgar Pickering and his high-speed, simple-to-run tufting machines.
Along with Andrew Neil of The Economist and international expert Bernhard ten Hoeyel the team reveal that this unlikely corner of The Risk Business in fact contains the best of British
Drowess. But the danger is that one part of the industry may destroy the other.
Research
SUSIE DEWAR , RICHARD MORRIS Studio director JOHN GORMAN Producer MICHAEL BLAKSTAD BBC Manchester