THE BBC will air a special behind the scenes documentary tonight celebrating 40 years of the New Balance shoe factory in Flimby.

As part of the ‘We are England’ series this documentary, called ‘Northern Sole’ will follow two new starters and say farewell to veteran Roy, who’s been at the factory for 40 years.

Roy Bell started his career in the industry as soon as he left school in 1970 at Millers Shoe Factory in Cockermouth.

Millers closed its doors in the early 90s but by then, Roy had already moved to another company.

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In 1982 New Balance set up a factory in Flimby, a small village just a few miles down the road and Roy has been there ever since.

At that time the Flimby facility was the only factory owned by the multibillion-dollar American business outside of the USA.

The programme will also feature 24 year-old Jordan from Maryport who is part of the training team at the factory and Workington born, new starter Rachel who is part of the embroidery team.

John Wilson, who is the executive vice president of manufacturing for the company, is part of the documentary and talks about how the site has developed over the last 40 years – having worked for New Balance for 50 years.

John Wilson said: “It’s been a great time growing as we have and hopefully, we’ll be around for the next 40 years.”

This year, New Balance celebrated 40 years of Cumbrian manufacturing by producing a special set of trainers to commemorate its milestone.

The tongue proudly states that the shoes were ‘made in England’ and the inside of the box pinpoints Flimby on UK map.

80 per cent of what they make in Flimby is exported all over the globe and the anniversary trainers will be no exception.

Northern Sole: We are England will air on Friday, November 11 at 7.30pm on BBC One in the North East and Cumbria before becoming available on BBC iplayer.

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