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Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

@katefossey, from Belfast, is a full-time student on the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme with a background in hospitality and mural painting. Her bursary will fund intensive one-to-one training with @moore_letters in Belfast, focusing on water and surface gilding and hand-lettering styles.

Kate’s bursary is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the All Ireland Heritage Skills Programme.

Kate said: “Securing this support from Heritage Crafts means a lot to me. Being given the opportunity to undergo specialised heritage craft training, and take time and space just to learn is wonderful.”

Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Andy Thorpe, from Glasgow, holds a Diploma in Bespoke Tailoring from The Tailoring Academy, and is currently working as a factory worker, producing made-to-measure Highlandwear garments. His bursary will fund a year of structured, one-to-one workshop training with established bespoke tailor @alis_le_may in Glasgow, focusing on core hand skills and complex bespoke fittings.

Andy’s bursary is supported by @costume_society.

Andy said: “I am extremely grateful to Heritage Crafts and the Costume Society, as this bursary gives me the opportunity to properly progress in my craft, moving beyond study and into hands-on learning. It opens up access to proper training, specialist facilities and the knowledge of an exceptionally skilled tailor, giving me a chance to develop my practice in a way I simply could not have managed alone.”

📷 Alis Le May

Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Clinton Geldard @clinton_geldard, from Berkshire, is a veteran with over 20 years of experience in vehicle engineering and a long history of self-taught trim work, welding and fabrication. His bursary will fund specialist training at the @autointerioracademy and @artizantraining, focusing on advanced sewing techniques, machine maintenance and leatherwork skills for car interiors and wider leatherworking practices.

Clinton’s bursary is supported by @theleathersellers.

Clinton said: “The funding will give me the skillset to start my business and give me a career with longevity and purpose.”

Over 20 posts we are profiling the recipients of our recent round of training bursaries.

Laura Spencer @nova.stainedglass, from London, entered the stained glass trade in January 2025 through proactive unpaid placements, and has built a technical foundation in glass cutting, leading and site-based restoration at two London studios. Her bursary will fund a glass painting masterclass with @derekhuntartist, followed by 12 days of intensive one-to-one mentoring with @studioorme.

Laura’s bursary is supported by the British Society of Master Glass Painters @bsmgp.

Laura said: “This funding gives me the time, space, expertise and tools to explore glass painting, and enables me to take my maker skills to the next level. I’m excited to develop my own visual style with guidance from teachers I deeply admire, and to create stained glass pieces that reflect all my new learnings!”