Sheffield scissor maker wins Heritage Crafts Trainee of the Year Award 2024
6th December 2024 | ANNOUNCEMENTS | OUR STORIES
James Morton has won the 2024 Heritage Crafts Trainee of the Year Award, supported by the Marsh Charitable Trust, including a £1,000 prize awarded at a special presentation at Eltham Palace on Tuesday 26 November 2024.
The award celebrates an outstanding student of heritage crafts, whether that’s through a formal apprenticeship scheme, a less formal traineeship, an institution-based course with a high degree of practical training, or even be pursuing ‘portfolio-style’ training comprising of short-courses and workshops.
James Morton joined Ernest Wright Scissors in Sheffield at 17, bringing a passion for metalworking that began at age 12, having taught himself blacksmithing in his parents’ garden and garage. Now an apprentice at Ernest Wright, he is learning the art of metalworking from two experienced Master Putters – Eric Stones aged 81 and Cliff Denton aged 80. James excels not only in the technical aspects of metalworking but also in his deep appreciation for the art and history of the craft.
The other two finalists for this year’s award were Marlene Lagnado, who joined the stonemasonry workshop of Matthias Garn following a two-week internship, picking up skills naturally and with real deliberation and focus, and Sam Rowland, who began helping wheelwright Greg Rowland in his workshop during COVID, since when he has completed two apprenticeships, gaining a merit and a triple distinction.
The Marsh Charitable Trust runs a portfolio of awards with a number of nationally and internationally recognised partners to celebrate the outstanding contributions of people who are committed to social, cultural and environmental causes.
Photo: James Morton, winner of the 2024 Trainee of the Year Award, and David Clarke, Heritage Crafts Chair. Photo by Robert Wade.