Welcome.
Durham Guild was founded in 1979 by five people with an interest in weaving and spinning. (see below A Brief History) Over the years the Guild has evolved and currently maintains a membership of around 40 people with a vast variety of interests and skills. Two of the founder-members still play an active part in the Guild. We offer a warm welcome to new members at all levels of experience, including absolute beginners.

The objectives of Durham Guild are the promotion and preservation of spinning, weaving, dyeing & other related textile crafts and we are affiliated to the National Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers. The Guild is a registered charitable organisation.

We meet twice monthly and arrange a yearly programme of talks, workshops and other events. The Guild also holds selling exhibitions at various local venues, and organises group visits to places and events related to our crafts, eg. weaving mills, studios, exhibitions, trade fairs etc.

VENUES
 All our First Thursday Meetings will be held at Redwood Lodge. Third Thursdays and workshops will continue to be held at St. Oswald's Institute. Please check details on Diary page.

Meetings.

As stated above,the venues for the Guild's Programme will be divided between St Oswald's Institute in Church Street and Redwood Lodge (Guide Hut) nearby in School Lane. (see map on 'How to locate us')

First Thursday in the month(except August) 7.30-9.30pm Redwood Lodge This usually takes the form of an illustrated talk, lecture or demonstration, sometimes including 'hands-on' experience with some aspects of crafts. There is a small charge which includes refreshments.



Third Thursday in the month(except December) 10am-3pm St. Oswald's Institute
This 'drop-in' day-time meeting allows an opportunity for members to share individual expertise and make progress on personal and group projects. From time to time a 'Third Thursday' is designated as a day for sharing specific skills.

Community Work.
Guild members often get involved with the community, giving demonstrations at various events and venues. These events are usually at weekends and provide an opportunity to promote the work of the Guild.

 

Books & Equipment
The Guild holds a collection of weaving and spinning equipment and a small library of related books,all of which is available for loan to members.

The Journal for Weavers, Spinners & Dyers
This is the National Association's quarterly magazine available to Guild members at a reduced subscription rate.



Shipley Weavers.
A few members meet in the workroom at the Shipley Art Gallery Gateshead on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month at 10am - 1pm. If you are interested please drop in for a chat and a coffee (free). Check with the Shipley before coming.

For details please contact Secretary e-mail  angela.colbridge@tiscali.co.uk

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In the beginning…...

The seed was sown amongst five students attending a WEA class in Tapestry Weaving. With no further advancement available they decided to set up their own group in the then newly opened Durham Arts Centre in Castle Chare. The building has since been converted to trendy flats and one wonders who now occupies the large attic which stretched the whole length of one wing and was accessed by a dangerously narrow, curved staircase.
The latter was eventually pronounced a fire hazard and the group moved to a room in Alington House in the Bailey.

A huge increase in rent prompted the next move to Redwood Lodge in School Lane. This Durham County Guide HQ remained the home of the Guild until it was needed for daily use by a Play Group.
At that time the Guild moved to St. Oswald’s Institute, which is connected with St.Oswald’s Church across the road, and currently we use both of these venues.(details above and on Diary page.)


A Group becomes a Guild…..
Before long the growing group joined the National Association of Guilds of WS&D and became known as Durham Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers, giving first place to spinning, unlike the National Association. A further step was a successful application for charity status. Arts Council grants for workshops meant that such textile luminaries as Marianne Straub, Hilary Chetwynd, Mabel Ross, Rodrick Owen, Penny Porter and Michael Crompton all featured as tutors in the early years. The tradition of seeking always the best continues to the present day, borne out by our current Diary page.

The Guild reaches out…...

Amongst numerous public projects undertaken, ‘Knit a Square’ proved so popular, it was repeated. Shoppers and visitors in Durham Market Place were invited to knit a square from hand-spun wool, the end products being added to and assembled as coats and raffled for good causes. In 1987, during the 1300th Anniversary of St Cuthbert’s death (his bones are buried behind the high altar in the Cathedral) the Guild produced The St. Cuthbert Trail. Selected shop-windows en route to the Cathedral displayed tableaux illustrating events in Cuthbert’s life, the hand-made figures and animals all depicted in textiles.

In 2001, due to foot and mouth, the famous Masham Sheep Fair was going to be devoid of livestock, but the organizers decided to go ahead and use it to raise funds to help the beleaguered farming community. Requests were sent out for all and sundry to fill the pens with home-made sheep and shepherds. The Guild rose to the challenge and put together a multi-coloured sheep and shepherd, glad to be part of this ingenious event.

The Guilds moves forward…..

In 2000, the last stage of the National Association’s travelling Millennium Exhibition came to Durham City and was hosted by the Guild, linked with eight other Guilds in the region. The venue was the DLI Museum and Art Gallery and was launched in style by David Bellamy.



This occasion was the catalyst for producing the Bishop’s Mitre (see Guild Projects). Since the inception of the Guild its members have been motivated by exhibiting their work, and this stands to the present day. The Guild regularly mounts its own exhibitions and has established good relations with several venues in and around Durham, including the University’s Oriental Museum and Botanic Gardens. The Guild also has forged strong connections with the Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead, Sunderland Museum and Art Gallery, and more recently, the McGuinness Gallery at Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

Updated 21 June 2010