I’m Sophie Chew, and I have the pleasure of working at Droyts Fine Soaps, a wonderfully unusual, historic soap manufacturer in Chorley, Lancashire.

Working in such a fascinating environment, surrounded by antique machinery, traditional craftsmanship and people with a wealth of knowledge, has given me a real enthusiasm for sharing the Droyts story.

In my own time, I enjoy visiting local groups and organisations to give friendly, informal and entertaining talks about the factory, its history and the remarkable way we still make soap today.

I particularly enjoy bringing a little-known piece of Lancashire’s industrial heritage to life, sharing the stories and unusual details that people might otherwise never get to hear.