What's in a Name?

Alec Hunter Humanities College was named after Braintree’s leading textile designer of the 1930’s. Alec Hunter was born in Haslemere Surrey. After serving in the army during the First World War, he joined his father’s weaving firm at Letchworth. His father was a textile designer with a tradition of silk weaving.  

In 1927 Alec Hunter's family moved to Edinburgh, Alec worked there producing contemporary fabrics. He joined Warner and Sons, local weaver, in 1932, later becoming the manager and the director of the Braintree factory. He was responsible for producing traditional silks and brocades woven for the Coronation ceremony of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. Alec Hunter was a kind, generous man who was honoured by many associations and societies. Not only was Alec Hunter school named after him, many roads on the King's Park Estate are named after his designs: Deerleap. Linfold, Harwell, Bridport and Broadoaks.

Rebecca Mecklenburgh