The Start Rite company of Norwich claims to be the oldest shoemakers' company in Britain - founded in 1792. In 1955, they received the Queen's Royal Warrant, having supplied shoes for Prince Charles and Princess Ann. A second Royal Warrant came in 1989 from Prince Charles - Princes William and Harry had StartRite footwear too. Altho the warrants were withdrawn in 2003 when production moved overseas - although Prince George was wearing SR shoes in the official photograph for Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday.
As a child I remember the distinctive advertisements showing two children walking hand in hand. I always wanted a pair of my own [too expensive, my Mum said!] But I thought of the ad again this week, when Steph sent me a lovely picture of the boys walking into nursery together
Update: I sent this to StartRite Customer Services and had a lovely, prompt email in reply saying they rarely got such nice messages, and it was much appreciated
Aw, they look so sweet! Brotherly love at its best!
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DeleteThanks for the memory!
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DeleteBoth our sons had very broad feet and the only shoes that seemed to fit were Start-rite. We always shuddered when they had to have new shoes. After toddler-hood they fitted into Clark's still expensive but slightly cheaper. Sad production moved abroad away from Norwich, they were still made there when the boys wore them. Such a cute picture of your lovely boys. Regards Sue H
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DeleteAwww, what a great pic!
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
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DeleteIsn't that sweet! StartRite was such a good make, the shoes lasted a long time.
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DeleteSuch a cute photo of the boys, it very much resembles the Start rite pic.
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DeleteWhat a sweet picture! Kx
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ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable photo. The StartRite customer care team must have been delighted to get your email and photo, it would have made a nice change from the usual questions and complaints.
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DeleteVery cute photo of your grandsons. It used to be like taking a second mortgage out when buying new shoes for our daughter as she walked early and had wide feet! Did the Delia post not happen, was very confused by the picture not matching blog content. Xx
ReplyDeleteMy mistake, I was working on tomorrows post and published it early. It will arrive in the morning!
DeleteI always wanted start-rite, but had to have Clarkson for the extra broad fitting. At my girl's grammar school they even specified the style and brand of shoe, indoor and outdoor shoes, start-rite or Clark, this style or that in black
ReplyDeleteMy school just specified two pairs, black leather, one 'outdoors' one 'indoors'
DeleteAs a child, my feet were narrow, and most shoes, if the length was right, were loose width-wise. Start-Rite were the only shoes which fit me properly, much to my parents disappointment!
ReplyDeleteMum tried me with Clarks, but they were dreadful, slipping about and rubbing, so back to Start-Rite we went!
I wish I could get such well fitting shoes now that I'm retired! X
It seems that many children were either Clarks OR StartRite . I was neither - and usually had the cheapest Mum could find in Freeman Hardy & Willis!
DeleteWhat a lovely pic of George and Jacob! X
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DeleteI never had Start Rite shoes either Clarks for me. The phot of the boys is so sweet and how nice you had a reply from the company. Just waiting for Waitrose to arrive with our order and some stuff has also been collected which was advertised on our local FB page for free. Catriona
ReplyDeleteAt least it was Waitrose, I understand that nobody is getting their Sainsbury order today due to a technical malfunction
DeleteI had to have Start Rite shoes as a child as I was born bow legged and after several years of shoes made at the local children's hospital which were built up to correct the bow. The doctors told my mother that only ST shoes would provide the necessary support. I hated them, plain, brown and boring when all my friends had much more exciting shoes than me. Now in me mid 60's I am so please mum followed the doctors advice as I have straight shin bones and feet that are fairly normal not like most of my old friends who have bent and curly toes from ill fitting shoes.
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So glad you mum was wise
DeleteHow lovely
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DeleteThat is such a lovely photo of the two boys. It reminds me of a photo my friend prompted me to take years ago when our grown sons were walking ahead of us, each with their toddler in their arms!
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DeleteOh for the days of fastening the buckles on those little red leather and navy leather Start-Rites for my two (bought for them by one of their Grannies luckily!).
ReplyDeleteHave you noticed how many children's shoes have velcro fastenings these days? "Learning to tie shoelaces" will become a lost art!
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