Bury students go to crafts day under expert eye of Patrick Grant

The event, by the Comino Foundation and Heritage Crafts, aimed to inspire and inform young people about careers in craft.

Blackburn-based clothes maker Patrick, who has clothed film stars and royalty, and has his own Savile Row business, stressed the importance of ethical and sustainable clothing to pupils from Derby High School and St Gabriel’s RC High School.
 

Derby High School pupils

“We need to stop buying bad stuff that’s made from bad materials and start making and buying good stuff that’s made locally, and made out of good materials,” said Patrick.

“If we lose traditional crafts then we will never get them back, so I hope [the event] inspires you and encourages you to consider a career where you make things.

“A job doesn’t have to be one where you’re at a computer, you could be using your hands to make something amazing.

“It’s only by having opportunities to try a bunch of things that you’re going to find the thing that really lights up your imagination.”

The event was held at Bolton’s Ladybridge High School, and also included pupils from Abraham Moss Community School, and Rochdale’s Falinge Park High School.

Patrick gave them food for thought when he revealed that there is already enough clothing on the planet to clothe the human race for the next 150 years.

Throughout the day, pupils were able to try their hands at hat making with Holly Johnson, pewter casting with Ella McIntosh, neon sign making with Richard Wheater and willow-weaving with Joe Gegory.

Helen Henrys, co-ordinator of media at Derby High School, said: “We hope our Year Nine pupils took away a passion for art and creativity from the day, and were inspired to consider a career they might not have thought about.”