Shropshire Guild of contemporary craft

The idea was formulated by outgoing Chairman and potter at Coalport China Museum, Ralph Jandrell. Ralph said “I was coming to the end of my time as Chairman, and nobody within the group had stepped forward expressing a wish to become the new Chair – so I decided to put the idea forward to pay a local marketing and pr company who we have worked with for a few years. Members of the Guild don’t have the time to take on the job, as we are all working so hard on our own businesses; it made simple sense to employ someone to undertake the role for us”.

Each County within England has their own type of craft guild or association, but to employ a Chairperson is a first for Shropshire and the Country.

The Much Wenlock based company is Lilac Sky Marketing, PR and Photography – owned by Sophie Eades. Lilac Sky promotes The Guild’s annual and prestigious ‘Gorgeous’ Contemporary Craft Fair, which is held at Enginuity in Ironbridge each October. Sophie of Lilac Sky said “I was very surprised but pleased to have been asked. I am very passionate about local crafts and local small businesses so to have the opportunity to not only be paid but also to promote the group further is wonderful for Lilac Sky”.

Ralph continued “Lilac Sky has been wonderful to work with, Sophie is very supportive and helpful in everything she has done with the Guild. Last year visitors to ‘Gorgeous’ were up 60% on the previous year, so we know Sophie works very hard to promote us.”

The Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft has members all over Shropshire, including basketmaker Ted Bruce from Oswestry, Leatherworker Su Nickless from Craven Arms and Blake and Janette Mackinnon, Ceramic jewellery designers from Ludlow.

Sophie has already formulated future plans for the Guild, including trying to find a permanent exhibition space or shop to exhibit and sell the work of Guild members. Sophie continued “many other Guilds in the country have hugely successful permanent shop spaces, which can only be seen as very positive wherever it may be sited.” Sophie continued “Shropshire has an absolute wealth of creative talent, from furniture to glass, leatherwork, ceramics, jewellery and so much more – we should all be supporting these small companies some of which work from their spare rooms or sheds. What is so important is that they are all keeping these skills alive which would otherwise be lost.”

Sophie, who formally took over Chair of the Guild this week said “it is going to be very exciting and challenging taking on this role, and I am very positive about plans that I have made and look forward to working very closely with all the members of The Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft”.