UNION CYCLE WORKS

Social Enterprises come in many guises, helping disadvantaged individuals lead better lives through creating products that have value and contribute to the costs of running the charity. Building and fixing bicycles is a popular model because the users become proficient mechanics and can look after their own bicycles, and bicycles are always in demand so are easily sold.

Union Cycle Works based in Deptford have taken this model and created a really great looking business and community project, both for the disadvantaged and for cyclists who don't have their own workshop (which is a common issue in London).

They've also got an excellent best brand identity. Check out their website www.unioncycleworks.org.uk

MODERN DAY ARTISAN: RICKY FEATHER

Ricky Feather is the epitome of cool, producing some incredibly detailed frames with attention lavished on them at every point of production. This is my favourite film in the Modern Day Artisan series, probably just for the fact I love bicycles! I would recommend checking out more of Ricky's work at his site... http://feathercycles.blogspot.co.uk/ which includes the great Rapha collaboration which saw Ricky win the Best Road Bike at this year's Bespoked Festival in Bristol. More info on that here www.bespokedbristol.co.uk.

CYCLOCROSS FILM

3 peaks cyclocrss race is back this month for another epic race. Last septmember I filmed parts of the race to produce my first short.

BROMPTON BICYCLES

The Brompton fold-up bicycle is a design classic in the truest sense. It was born out of the practical requirement for a better folding bike by the young engineer Andrew Ritchie in the early seventies, and the basic design has only been improved through better materials, geometry and components.

In this film the managing director at Brompton, William Butler-Adams, describes wonderfully the ethos and mindset at the company and accurately sums up cycling in UK cities. He is giving a talk at MADE festival in Sheffield this month which I'm really looking forward to! For more info on MADE visit www.madefestival.com.

The company has taken the bold move, and in my opinion the right move, of not forcing growth for growth’s sake or compromising quality for improved margins, as the bikes are still manufactured in the UK.

Having ridden my housemate's Brompton before it was nicked I know they are a dream to ride with a surprising amount of acceleration and top speed.



Any information on the producer and director of this film would be appreciated so they can be credited appropriately, thanks.