Clog dancers in the British Isles wear British clogs (obviously - but as most people know about Dutch clogs, it's an important distinction to make).  British clogs have wooden soles and leather uppers. Clogs were made in the largest numbers between 1840 and 1940, with craftsman cloggers probably busiest about 1910. Clogs became extensively used when the Industrial Revolution started, and workers in the new factories needed waterproof, hardwearing footwear. When your soles wore out, you had new ones nailed to your uppers - and when your uppers wore out you had new ones nailed to your soles. The soles had 'irons' or 'rubbers' added to them to help them last longer. The soles of clogs for dancing are bare wood, and are slightly curved to help the dancer keep on his/her toes. Now there are very few clogmakers left, mostly making clogs for dancers like us, and for the tourist trade. But remaining clog makers are enthusiastic craftspeople, so well worth cultivating if you have a chance! And a pair of well-fitted clogs can be very comfortable. There are still families in Lancashire of the opinion that a toddler will learn to walk better in clogs!

Contact us at mail@charnwoodclog.co.uk