Bishopsland announces the opening of its new HQ

Bishopsland announces the opening of its exciting new home for professional training and partnership with the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre

Bishopsland Educational Trust have disclosed to Benchpeg that they are thrilled to formally announce that their project to relocate and establish a future for silversmithing has been generously supported by the South Square Trust and the De Beers Group. The project is also part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with Vale of White Horse District Council as the lead authority and an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant. In addition, Bishopsland have received donations from private donors and corporate sponsors.

This brand new initiative marks a transformational moment in Bishopsland’s history and silversmithing and craftsmanship in the UK. Through the creation of a vibrant hub the organisation will enable the delivery of professional silversmithing craft skill training and continue to build on a 30 year legacy by its founders.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre, the new Bishopsland site has purpose built workshops designed to teach and inspire the next generation of emerging makers. Spanning an impressive 7,750 sq ft, the first phase of development of the historic Grade II listed site has been transformed into spacious workshops and dedicated machine and hammering rooms. Further renovations will offer creative spaces, incubation workshops, and meeting and display areas. Residents on the course will live nearby in National Trust accommodation specially leased to Bishopsland. The new cohort of 12 early-in-career makers commenced their year-long programme in September 2024.

Over the last year, Bishopsland invited visionary partners, dedicated supporters and corporate sponsors to join them on this ambitious project to shape a brighter future for craft education, ensuring the preservation of professional silversmithing skills and supporting talent at every level. With core funding provided by the Bishopsland Educational Trust of nearly £300k as an investment in our own future, we have had additional funding from key industry supporters keen to play a part in developing this exceptional new space, namely the South Square Trust and De Beers Group among other private donors. The Trust has also received valuable tool donations, offers of help, and generous discounts from the industry, all of whom are keen to support and play a role in this journey.

“We are pleased to have been able to support Bishopsland to get established at their new base. Our roots are in silversmithing, and we believe Bishopsland plays a critical role in ensuring that the UK continues to be a world leader in the craft, helping makers develop their skills.”

- South Square Trust

Bishopsland continue to be immensely grateful to their ongoing programme supporters, including the Goldsmiths’ Company and Centre, the V&A, the Clothworkers’ Company, the Radcliffe Trust, the Arts Society, the Silver Society, the Arts Council, the Company of Arts Scholars, the Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Company, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Nugee Foundation, Rural England Prosperity Fund and a number of livery companies. Their unwavering support, along with that of the Friends of Bishopsland and numerous individual donors contribute to Bishopsland's ongoing ability to support the training of emerging makers.

Howard Dellar, Chair of Trustees Bishopsland Educational Trust said:

“We are delighted to be working with the National Trust and Buscot and Coleshill Estates and to have found a beautiful, flexible, adaptable location for our workshops, offices, incubation spaces, Tools Library and our cohort. Working alongside other heritage and skills organisations on the estate was a major factor in our selection of the site. By entering this agreement with the National Trust, we are securing the future of our programme of professional craft skills training for another 30 years”.

Angela Cork, Principal of Bishopsland added:

“We are incredibly excited about the future of Bishopsland and moving into our beautiful new home. In a changing and evolving market, there are opportunities for growth and potential in international markets for silversmithing and jewellery. We are confident our partnership with the National Trust will open opportunities for our cohorts and Fellows to reach wider audiences and foster greater recognition for excellence in British design and craftsmanship.

Bishopsland aims to develop its new home as a leading centre for silversmithing and jewellery training - working with partners across industry to create a place where aspiring makers can not only train to become a silversmith or jeweller but learn the key business skills to forge a career either as a self-employed or employed professional. As a small organisation, Bishopsland will be well placed in its new home to pivot quickly to help meet industry’s needs while providing a space where the wider industry can feel at home. As the site develops, there will be opportunity for industry seminars and master classes to ensure the organisation is stimulating professional practice across the UK whilst speaking up for, and working with, the industry as a whole.

We have been overwhelmed with the positive support for our new home and been inundated with generous pledges of support from Friends and Fellows, ranging from financial donations to pieces to auction such as Grant Macdonald Silversmiths who generously donated a drawbench, Clive Burr a fly press and Brian Marshall a whole workshop of tools. It is a heart-warming example of the industry helping the industry and we are proud to be continuing the 30-year legacy built by our founders. We are incredibly grateful to our early supporters and sponsors for helping us reach this important milestone and I look forward to welcoming the industry over the coming months.”

Christian Walker, General Manager Buscot & Coleshill Estates summed up by adding:

“Bishopsland’s focus on teaching the traditional heritage skills of a master silversmith adds a dynamic new string to the work of the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre at Coleshill and builds on the estate’s rich past as a creative hub inspiring creativity alongside tradition”.