Page 15 - Stories

There can be no doubt that whistles are at the heart of everything we do here at ACME Whistles, and the biggest clue is in the name. Company founder Joseph Hudson was an inventor with a curious and driven mind, but whistles were not his first interest.

When he noticed a need for whistles that could cut through the hubbub of Victorian city streets, docks and railway stations, he was able to use his knack for innovation to engineer whistles that caused a revolution in their own right.

After finding this niche in the market and applying his natural talents, Hudson was able to start his own company manufacturing whistles in the heart of Birmingham in 1870. It was within his company that Hudson was able to produce some of the most iconic and enduring whistle designs in the world.

Unfortunately, being an industry-leading company always comes with the risk that cheap copycat products will enter the market, and this is certainly true of ACME Whistles. The truth is, a cheap copycat whistle can never

The UK has a long history of innovation within the rail sector and many engines that are famous all over the world were made by British hands before being shipped overseas; this heritage is certainly something to celebrate.

Since the earliest days of steam the UK has been at the forefront of every aspect of rail, from designing and manufacturing these magnificent engines, to finding innovative ways to expand networks across countries and continents. This reputation for innovation and world class quality remained with UK manufacturers even as steam engines gave way to modern diesel and electric engines.

If you are a rail enthusiast then you will know the thrill of spotting a rare or historic engine and being able to appreciate the wonder of its workings. Most people with an interest in rail will agree that the golden age of railways were the days of the steam engine, and even those who are not in the hobby can appreciate the spectacle of a steam engine being given a run on special occasions

There is nothing like heading outdoors to enjoy some of your favourite pastimes and pursuits, and for every activity there is an ACME whistle that will match your pace. Tough and built to last, every whistle we make is designed for superior performance in the most challenging of conditions. Whether you are an avid hiker, hunter or boater, make sure to pack an ACME for your next adventure.

The diverse range of whistles produced by ACME Whistles covers all the bases for all manner of outdoor hobbies, professions and pursuits in a compact and highly portable format. Our customers demand the absolute highest standards in terms of build quality and reliability which is why our whistles are made using traditional techniques in our Birmingham factory, and each is tested before leaving the workshop.

Safety and survival

Hikers and camping enthusiasts will appreciate the extra security that a high quality safety and survival whistle can provide. The ACME Survival Whistle 649 is a true favourite among

It is a sad fact that, due to many socioeconomic factors, the manufacturing sector in the UK is no longer the global powerhouse it once was. As a nation we are simply making less ‘stuff’ than in previous years, instead relying on imports to meet our needs.

It’s true that making things overseas and importing them to our shores can be a money saving exercise, but it often comes with a decrease in the quality of the goods.

At ACME Whistles we are dedicated to manufacturing a superior product that is unmatched by cheap imports, and once you have used one of our beautifully crafted whistles you will understand why. Our reputation for quality has stayed with us for over 150 years, and to this day we still use time-honoured techniques and trusted tools to manufacture our whistles.

We know that the only way to make whistles to an exacting standard is to have skilled and experienced technicians involved in every part of the process. As such, our whistles are largely hand-tooled and each is visually

Spring will soon be upon us, and as well as warmer temperatures and longer days we are looking forward to the waking of the natural world. One of our favourite things about spring is that it is a wonderful time of year to appreciate our native and migratory birds. Many start to become more active in the early spring as they go about building nests and raising chicks, and the pleasant, mild British springtime makes for much more enjoyable bird watching.

Whether you are a keen, committed bird watcher or simply want to try something new and learn a little more about our native wildlife, spending time in nature and observing our wonderful native species is a gratifying experience. You don’t necessarily have to head out into the middle of the countryside to enjoy a spot of bird watching, it can easily be done from your own back garden or even the city streets.

Some bird species are more closely associated with certain parts of the country than others so you won’t see every native or visiting

Thinking back to your school days there are probably plenty of vivid memories you can draw upon to paint a picture of your experience. From the sound of the school bell to the smell of chalk dust, there are just some things that seem to be a universal experience for school kids the world over. With that being said, few memories are as clear or well remembered as the sound of the teachers’ whistle.

Whether on the sports field or playground, every school kid knows the distinct sound of their coach or teacher’s whistle and that it means one simple thing: pay attention! For those times when a clear, direct message needs to be sent, people working in the education sector need a whistle they can rely on.

For decades, teachers and other educators have placed their trust in ACME Whistles because we provide a superior product. Once you have tried one of our whistles you will understand why they are a favourite among teachers, sports coaches and other professionals. We’re proud of our reputation

If there’s one thing that the UK is famous for, it’s the sheer amount and availability of stunning rural landscapes. Even when you are in our biggest cities you are never too far away from somewhere more pastoral or wild and the country is dotted with incredible national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Despite the relatively small size of the UK you might be surprised that there’s a considerable amount of undeveloped and pastorally managed land to explore. We as a nation have a long and much celebrated tradition of making the most of these landscapes and something for everyone to enjoy.

From hiking and shooting, to fell walking and mountain climbing, there are many different activities which thousands of people take part in every year, with some even coming from overseas to experience what our lands have to offer.

Whether you are looking for something thrilling and active or prefer a more relaxed pace, make 2023 the year you spend more time outdoors in the countryside.

It

Did you know that your dog has a superpower? Those noses aren’t just adorable, they also completely shape how your dog sees and interacts with the world. A dog’s sense of smell is estimated to be between 10,000 and 100,000 times more powerful and accurate than our own because having a sensitive snout was key to their survival prior to their domestication.

Not only do they have many more olfactory receptors than we do, the part of their brain dedicated to analysing scents is also roughly 40 times bigger than ours. This means that every time a dog takes a deep breath in, they can perceive and make sense of a rich tapestry of smells that we are completely oblivious to.

As you can imagine, having such a keen sense of smell means that dogs are naturally led by their noses and many love nothing more than getting their noses to the ground to find out who has been through the area and when. Dogs need an appropriate amount of exercise for their breed and age, but they also thrive when given a good