Durham Stick Makers carve path for growth

A County Durham heritage craft group is set to expand its activities after securing funding to invest in specialist equipment and support future growth.

Durham Stick Makers, a community group dedicated to preserving the traditional craft of making walking sticks, canes and shepherds’ crooks, has received a four-figure grant to boost its capacity. 

The £1836 award from the Banks Community Fund has enabled the group to purchase three new preparation frames, allowing more members to work at the same time.

Based at Fence Houses Community Centre, the group is the only one of its kind in the North East and currently has 35 members drawn from across the county and wider region. 

Ages range from people in their twenties to those in their nineties, with plans now in place to grow membership to at least 50 over the next year.

The new equipment is expected to support this growth, alongside developing links with several Durham University colleges.

Alongside teaching an ancient craft, the group also repairs walking sticks for a nominal fee and provides practical support to people who need mobility aids but face financial or physical challenges.

Durham Stick Makers’ secretary Michael Timmins said: “Our group was born out of a desire to keep this endangered heritage craft alive, and our aim is to preserve it, educate future generations about it and engage with the local community.

“The social side of what we do is also really valuable, with the chance to spend time in a welcoming environment a couple of times a week being especially important for the well-being of many of our older members.

“Giving a craft like stick making a sustainable future means gaining younger people’s interest in it, giving them the chance to learn all about it from those who have the knowledge they need and providing the equipment they need to put their learning into action. 

“As a small community group, we don’t really have the cash available to make a capital purchase like this in one go.

“Having the Banks Group’s support is going to make a real difference to our long-term future, and we’d love to see more people coming along to our classes and workshops in the coming months.”

Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, added: “Incredible levels of skill and craftsmanship go into making these wonderful creations and it’s a pleasure to see these local experts at work.

“The Durham Stick Makers have a real commitment to pass their knowledge on to future generations and we’re very pleased to be supporting their drive towards doing so.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →