I was lucky enough to be invited to take photographs of the Hutchings and Harding Tannery which is located in the town of Sawston, near Cambridge in the UK. The tannery which was established in 1897 is shortly to be demolished and so this was a chance to record what is soon going to become history.

The internet states: “Hutchings & Harding Ltd was established in 1897 and remains a private company. Modern technology has been harnessed to the traditional skills and craftsmanship of the leather industry, providing a top quality chamois leather product with a personal customer service. Based in Sawston, just seven miles from the famous University town of Cambridge in Eastern England and 50 miles from London, our tannery dates back to 1645. We distribute our chamois leather and other products around the world, through agents, distributors, wholesalers and direct outlets, depending on the territory.

Today Hutchings & Harding continues to excel as a tannery for chamois leather, skiver leather and pickled grains. Our main activity remains the tanning of selected sheep pelts from around the world, exactly as it was when first established over 100 years ago.”

All the images were taken with the original Leica M9 Monochrom camera, which only takes Black & White pictures (my favourite type of photography), and the 28 and 35mm Leica Summicron F2.0 lenses. I also took a colour camera but feel this type of scene is better portrayed in black & white.