More Apprenticeships – this time in Textiles

After meeting apprentices for Dalesman, for Craft and Design I carried out a major review of all training opportunities for careers in Textiles.

Apprenticeships in textiles are so rare that many people believe there are none.  But after weeks on the trail, I eventually discovered that there are a few, rare, specialised apprenticeships available in textiles.

And they are well worth taking, as there is a skills shortage in the sector.

But – do the wrong course, and you won’t have the skills you need.

So, if you want a career in textiles, where should you start?  Apprenticeship, degree course, evening classes, private tuition?

Craft and Design this month publishes a special report, investigating the pros and cons of all these, and other options.

If you’re interested in a career in textiles – either first time, or second time around – see what you could do in the Sept- Oct edition of Craft and Design Magazine.

Craft and Design Magazine website: http://www.craftanddesign.net/

A Bloom of Blacksmiths

I was lucky to be invited to a gathering of  blacksmiths to celebrate the birthday of Ryedale Folk Museum’s resident blacksmith, Robin Butler.

The smiths agreed that a collective of blacksmiths should be dubbed a ‘bloom’ – lovely as spring flowers, and also because Mediaeval iron smelting produced a ‘bloom’ of iron which had to be hammered to remove the slag.

The smiths all demonstrated making a nail.  It was good to see that the skills are not dying out, as Robin had taught several young volunteers at the museum.

One of Robin’s young ‘apprentices’ loved it so much that she took herself off to National Blacksmithing College.  When she graduates, she hopes to return to the area to set up her own forge.

Blacksmiths at Ryedale Folk Museum

Robin Butler and trainee blacksmiths

Ryedale Folk Museum has lots to offer: visit

www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk