Staff Member: Diane
Job Title: Utility Machinist
Please tell us about your career journey so far:
I was the first in my family to go into shoemaking. I hated exams and being forced to be academic, so I had already lined up a job in shoemaking before I had officially left school!
I started in the shoe trade at just 15, with my first job at Barker’s Shoes. I spent eight years there, learning in the factory and at Wellingborough College. The company was owned by William Barker, and I still have fond memories of the place and the people I worked with - many of whom I’m still in touch with today.
After Barker’s, I tried my hand at coat-making with Aquascutum, but working in textiles didn’t feel quite the same as working with leather. I missed the shoe world, so I moved on to Church’s Shoes, where I worked for 28 years, with a couple of breaks in between to try something different, like fitness instructing. Church’s had a great sense of community, and it was a wonderful place to work. Though the company evolved away from this over time, my love for shoemaking has always stayed with me.
Why did you choose Crown Northampton?
I was searching for that sense of community I missed and the old-school ways of working. Crown Northampton stood out to me because of the small, close-knit team that could offer this alongside the job I love to do.
There’s a real sense of community in the workplace, which makes it enjoyable to come in every day.
What makes Crown, Crown?
At Church’s, I mostly worked on traditional dress shoes, but the styles here at Crown are completely different. It’s my first time working in a made-to-order factory, and I love hearing the stories behind the shoes we make. Sometimes, we even take photos of the shoes partway through the making process to update our customers - it adds a really personal touch.
These shoes aren’t just made for a shelf!
What is your favourite leather to machine?
Chromexcel and Cordovan are my favourites, especially when working on the Harlestone or Everdon styles. The natural oils in these leathers make them really satisfying to machine. It’s great to get my hands on leathers like these. They’re smooth, flexible, and just feel right when you’re working with them. It’s the kind of leather that makes you proud of what you’re putting together.
What’s your personal style and does it involve a Crown Northampton product - you can be honest!?
Yes, to be completely honest, most of Crown’s styles don’t exactly match my personal look, but I do love the Hi-Top Abington sneakers in black Chromexcel with the white toe caps - they fit perfectly with the outfits I wear. I’ve been into fetish clothing for years, probably influenced by Northampton’s strong history of gothic culture, and I love getting dressed up in rubber outfits. I also enjoy dyeing my hair in different colours; right now it’s blue, but I like keeping everyone guessing what colour will be next!
As for my favourite Crown Northampton product, it will be the custom pair of Abington Hi-Tops that I’m working on. They’ll have glittery toe caps and back strips. Working here means I get to be creative and work on my own projects, which I love.
My husband, who works in manual labour and goes through a lot of belts, says his Crown Northampton belt is by far the best he’s ever had, he has the Ink Cavalier - it’s held up better than any he’s worn before.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
The people here are lovely, and the flexi-time is a huge bonus. It’s great to have flexibility with holidays, too. There’s a real sense of community in the workplace, which makes it enjoyable to come in every day.
Tell us about your life outside of work...
When I’m not at work, I love taking holidays to the forest. I’m not one for the sun - I prefer the peacefulness of places like Sherwood or the Forest of Dean. We stay in lodges with hot tubs, and I get to watch bats, which I absolutely love. It’s something the whole family enjoys; we all share a love for the calm and quiet of the forest, and it’s a tradition we look forward to every year.
I’m also fascinated by history, especially the War of the Roses and the Tudors. Visiting historical sites like Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London is something I never get tired of. Another regular tradition for me is the Butlins 80s weekends with my sister - it’s all about the camaraderie, music, and a good drink, and we always have a great time. Work hard to play hard!
Let’s finish with a fun fact about you...
I’ve got a pub at the end of my garden, which I’ve named "The Slaughtered Lamb," just like the one in An American Werewolf in London. It’s my own little sanctuary, and I especially love it at Halloween, which happens to be one of my favourite times of the year. With my love for bats and all things spooky, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the season!
*****
Thank you, Diane. Interview over - you can head off to Butlins now, as we know it’s that time of year!
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Diane and learning more about her journey into shoemaking, her personal style, and her role at Crown Northampton. As the newest member of the team, Diane has already made a real difference with her passion for creativity, craftsmanship, and community, and we’re thrilled to have her on board.
We’ll be sharing more stories from the team soon, so keep an eye out for the next Meet the Makers feature, where you’ll get to meet more of the skilled individuals behind Crown Northampton’s handmade products.
