http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0VL5J33lPs

As the FA.com describes in its article:

'The FA Cup silversmith Thomas Lyte this week returned the famous trophy to The FA in preparation for Saturday’s Final.

After spending the last year with the current holders, Chelsea, The Cup was handed over to Thomas Lyte for some last-minute maintenance ahead of the Wembley showpiece.

Jim Rosenthal presented the official handover in Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade and he was joined by former Manchester City midfielder Paul Lake and one-time Wigan defender Kevin Kilbane.

Also in attendance was Kevin Williams, Thomas Lyte’s master silversmith, and he explained a bit more about his involvement with The Cup.

He told FATV: “The FA, to their credit, let the [winning] club keep The Cup, so [it] gets a year of going round, being celebrated so it’s therefore going to get knocked and dropped and dented and it’s my job to take those out.'

To read the whole article visit: http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/News/2013/May/thomas-lyte-fa-cup-handover-kevin-williams-kevin-kilbane-paul-lake.aspx

On its last appearance before the big match on Sunday, the Cup was on display to the great and the good of the sport world.

Our Master Craftsman Kevin Williams added the final touches to the repair of the Cup and Jim Rosenthal hosted a Q&A with Football legends Kevin Kilbane and Paul Lake.

Kevin Baker CEO talks to BBC's Simon Jack on the Today Program, BBC Radio 4

Friday Boss: Kevin Baker  of Silversmith's Thomas Lyte talks candidly of preserving and growing British Silver Craft.

'There were once thousands of silversmiths in Britain- now there are just hundred. Kevin is trying to reboot an industry in which Britain excels- but appears to be neglecting' says Simon Jack.

Kevin Baker explains: 'We restore famous pieces of silver globally, we work for palaces, military regiments, and restore the FA Cup and the Ryder Cup.'

'There were once thousands of silversmiths in Britain, now there are around 100.

Kevin Baker is trying to reboot an industry in which Britain excels - but appears to be neglecting.'

To listen to the whole podcast visit the BBC website at:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22213850

Hosted by Dermot O'Leary, the awards show recognises the best of UK television and its stars.

Actors and presenters from the most talked-about TV shows in the country, including Strictly, TOWIE and The X Factor, and other famous faces from the nation's favourite soaps were among the talent who waltzed down the red carpet and braved the freezing temperatures.

The X Factor is nominated for best talent show so judge Tulisa obviously wanted to look her best, wearing the Thomas Lyte Caro Clutch in gold.

TV presenter Melanie Sykes arrived for the awards walking down the Red Carpet accessorising with the stunning Caro Clutch in sea green.

Our ‘Eliza’ handbags in grained leather looked stunning and felt right at home on the catwalk; their mustard, cognac and petrol shades contrasting beautifully with the catwalk’s designers styles; Issa, Alberta Ferretti, Inbar Spector and Gina – brilliantly combining  traditional English craftsmanship with fashion’s contemporary styles and colours.  Because they are worth it….!

]]> Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:46:56 +0000 BBC News Business Online has featured Thomas Lyte Sporting Trophy Workshop.

Here is a part of an article :

''Winners of our major sports tournaments such as Tennis ATP World Tour are invariably rewarded with enormous silver trophies. But although everyone has seen the trophies, it seems no one knows where they are made, according to Kevin Baker chief executive of  Silversmiths Thomas Lyte.

The answer is: they are often made in small workshops such as this one on an industrial part in Essex. ''Craft matters'' says Mr Baker whose company's turnover has soared in the last decade. '' It's about creating beautiful things, and it's not always related to price''.

Mr Baker's company produces other goods too, such as hand crafted bespoke leather and  silver goods- but it is the making and designing of silverware such as the ATP trophy that offers the greatest potential. ''Sport touches everyone's lives'' he says. ''The market is enormous and the potential within sport is only growing''.

''Within silver we work for royal households or for superyachts, but 40-50% of the silver market is sports'', says Mr Baker. The customers are sports clubs or sports marketing firms, and trophies are not always large. Replicas are sometimes made and there is a great market for souvenirs that are given as corporate gifts.

Revenue comes also from restoring the trophies such as the FA Cup. ''The FA Cup has become a powerful symbol of what the event is about'' says Mr Baker. ''You play for the Cup but the silver is very soft, so when the trophy is uplifted it is often damaged. Fortunately the beauty of silver is that it can be re-sculpted''.

The silver is done by Thomas Lyte's 10 craftsmen and apprentices. ''With silver we have the finest skills in the world here in the UK'', says Mr Baker. ''But honestly, sadly the competition is not strengthening. We've seen major competitors closing or downsizing''.

Consequently, working with traditional tools methods is a dying art. ''If you look at luxury there are so many workshops being closed'', says Mr Baker. ''All those skills will be lost- there's so much not written down. There are probably fewer than 100 craftsmen left, and many of them don't work for the major companies''. (...)

We were delighted to host the Beyond Sport 2012 London Reception on the 20^th June at our Thomas Lyte’s flagship store in Mayfair’s Burlington Arcade. The intimate star-studded private gathering saw Seb Coe, the London 2012 Organising Committee Chair, and Sir Keith Mills, the Chair of the II Foundation receive the Leadership in Sport Award, supported by P&G.. The stunning award was designed by Thomas Lyte to a detailed Beyond Sport brief, and hand crafted in our London Workshop by master Silversmith Kevin Williams, who’s skilled hands also ensure that iconic trophies such as The FA Cup, The Ryder Cup and The Web Ellis Rugby World Cup are in top condition each year for their appearances! The Reception marks one month to the Beyond Sport Summit 2012 on 23^rd-25^th July, which brings leaders in the international worlds of sport, philanthropy, politics and business together to address sport’s role in driving positive social change.

Combining two of this season’s hottest trends – pastels and the super girly – the Alice Clutch is our favourite go-to bag for SS12. Handcrafted from the softest nappa leather and bang on trend lizard skin, these candy coloured clutches are just the business

The SS12 collections heralded the return of all things girly, with pastel hues making a serious fashion comeback. These edible candy-coloured clutches are guaranteed to inject a touch of playful femininity into your summer wardrobe.