Northern Crafts Centre

Organisation of British crafts people

Northern Crafts Centre LtdFormation| 1963; 62 years ago (1963)

|

Defunct| 1974
Type| Craft organisation
Purpose| To preserve, promote and improve fine craftsmanship in Great Britain[1]
Headquarters| 35 South King Street, Manchester, M2 4LG[2]

Region served

| United Kingdom
Leader| Harry Norris

Northern Crafts Centre Ltd was first Registered as a charity 7 March 1963 and removed from the Register of Charities 6 April 1993 as it had ceased to exist by that point.[3] The centre had a strong association with the Red Rose Guild of Designer Craftsmen with most of their exhibitions for many years, including some permanent stock being held in retail premises.[4] The membership of Margaret Pilkington on the Council of Management was fundamental to this association.[5][6] However much of the centres history has been lost to time.[7] It was established as a "not for profit" organisation, seeking to promote good craftsmanship and enable commissioning of works.[8]

The ticketed opening by Colonel William Loris Mather, Chairman of the Civic Trust for the North West, was on 11 September 1963 at 4pm.[9][10]

The Northern Crafts Centre closed in 1974 following the death of a number of key individuals; the first chairman, Harry Norris died in April 1968.[11]

## Known exhibitions

[edit]

In addition to specific exhibitions an ongoing exhibition of arts and crafts took place. Most advertising did not name specific artists, although sometimes available from articles and other sources.

Caption text  Start Date | End Date | Exhibition | Known Artists

|
|
|

11 Sep 1963 | Ongoing till 1974 | Red Rose Guild of Craftsmen - Opening Exhibition[12] | Not Known
15 Dec 1963 | 21 Dec 1963 | Special Gifts Display[13] | Not Known
13 May 1964 | 06 Jun 1964 | Red Rose Guild of Craftsmen Spring Exhibition[14][15] | Mary Farmer, Stanislas Reychan, Geoffrey Whiting
24 Aug 1964 | Sept 1964 | Three Northern Potters[16] | D Clarkson, Derek Emms, L F Matthews
23 Oct 1964 | 26 Nov 1964 | Red Rose Guild of Craftsmen - Autumn Exhibition[17] | Derek Emms, Mary Farmer

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "NORTHERN CRAFTS CENTRE LIMITED - Charity 221324". register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
2. ^ "Northern Crafts Centre". The Guardian. 29 August 1963. p. 7. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
3. ^ "Northern Crafts Centre". Manchester Evening News. 16 January 1962. p. 6. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
4. ^ "City to have permanent crafts centre". The Guardian. 30 August 1963. p. 4. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
5. ^ "Promoting Fine Craftsmanship". The Birmingham Post. 23 January 1963. p. 13. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
6. ^ "Northern Crafts". The Guardian. 5 February 1963. p. 4. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
7. ^ "Red Rose Guild". Crafts Study Centre Archives, University for the Creative Arts. Red Rose Guild Manchester. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
8. ^ "Crafts Centre". The Bolton News. 31 August 1963. p. 4. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
9. ^ "Northern Crafts Centre". Manchester Evening News. 29 August 1963. p. 2. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
10. ^ "Exhibition to portray craftsmanship". The Guardian. 12 September 1963. p. 13. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
11. ^ "Records of the Red Rose Guild". Crafts Study Centre Archives, University for the Creative Arts. Red Rose Guild Manchester. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
12. ^ "Northern Crafts Centre". The Guardian. 29 August 1963. p. 7. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
13. ^ "Northern Crafts Centre - Special Gifts Display". Manchester Evening News. 15 November 1963. p. 2. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
14. ^ "Red Rose Guild of Craftsmen Spring Exhibition | Exhibition". ArtFacts. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
15. ^ "Red Rose Guild of Craftsmen Spring Exhibition End". Manchester Evening News. 13 May 1964. p. 10. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
16. ^ "Three Northern Potters". The Guardian. 24 August 1964. p. 7. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
17. ^ "Red Rose Guild of Craftsmen - Autumn Exhibition | Exhibition". ArtFacts. Retrieved 29 July 2024.