Whitby firm asked to supply nets for Disney’s latest film Maleficent

8:34am Wednesday 4th December 2013 in News


By Laura Knowlson, Business editor

Steven Leadley founded Caedmon Nets in Whitby in 1989

A CASTING call to appear in one of Hollywood’s next Blockbusters has been netted by a Whitby business.

Caedmon Nets has been asked by Briar Rose Productions to supply hand knitted nets for Disney’s latest film Maleficent.

Starring Angelina Jolie, the film is based on the Sleeping Beauty Story.

Steve Leadley, who founded Caedmon Nets in 1989, said he thought it was a “wind-up” when he was called and asked to produce four lightweight nets to be used in the movie for catching ravens.

He said: “I took the call and really thought it was a wind-up from one of my mates. Then they followed it up with an email, and we realised it was genuine.

“We made the first versions from sisal, but they were just too heavy for the actress to handle, so we sourced some lighter-weight spun flax from Egypt.

“We had to be careful about things like the colouring of the flax as the nets had to look authentic in the movie’s medieval setting. We can’t wait to see them in action.”

Mr Leadley, who runs the business with his wife Diane, comes from a longstanding Whitby fishing family.

He was taught the craft of hand-making fishing nets by his grandfather, Jim, who was instrumental in setting up the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations.

Steve’s great-great grandfather, Robert Leadley, died in the Whitby lifeboat disaster of 1861.

Caedmon Nets is one of only a handful of companies in the UK making nets.

As well as fishing nets, the company makes many other types, including sporting nets, scramble nets for playgrounds, transport, waste management and haulage.

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