Category: 1952

Mike Dennett’s First Performance in Front of Laurel & Hardy

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Nottingham born ventriloquist and comedian Mike Dennett, whose career spanned seven decades, passed away at the age of 82. He died peacefully at his home in Blackpool on 2 December 2024 after living in the town for 41 years, surrounded by loved ones following a short illness. A celebrated figure in the world of entertainment, Dennett was known for his sharp wit, stage presence, and enduring dedication to his craft. Born with a natural talent for performance, Dennett made his stage debut at just 10 years old at the Nottingham Empire, performing at Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy’s Christmas Party… Read more »

The Rise of Febland Group

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Febland Group Ltd has been a cornerstone of the British retail and distribution landscape for over 70 years. Established in 1952, the company began its journey under the leadership of Dexter Febland, whose family legacy in the business continues to this day. As the company grew, challenges arose, particularly in the safe and efficient importation of highly detailed and delicate pieces from Italy. To address these challenges, in 1965, Dexter’s father, Anthony Febland, founded Febland Italiana, a haulage business with offices and warehousing in Novara, Italy. This enabled the company to better manage the export of cargo to Italy and… Read more »

From David Halsall Toys to HTI

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Founded in 1952, HTI is one of the UK’s largest independent designers and manufacturers of children’s toys, with a long-standing reputation for supplying some of the world’s biggest retailers. The company operates globally, with offices and showrooms in the UK, Hong Kong, Germany, Holland, and China. HTI has a clear vision to become the first choice for high-quality, innovative toys, aiming to provide children worldwide with the opportunity to grow and have fun through imaginative play. The company began its journey as David Halsall Ltd, initially supplying UK-made toys and fireworks. A key turning point came in 1968 when Graham… Read more »