Red Rose Guild

The Red Rose Guild was founded in 1920 and ran, with a break during World War II from 1940-1946, until 1962 when it folded.

The Red Rose Guild came into existence as a result of a 1920 exhibition at the Houldsworth Hall in Manchester. The first exhibition was organised by the wood engraver Margaret Pilkington, born in 1891, who studied under Noel Rooke at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, London. She remained in touch with Rooke and Lucien Pissaro, another tutor, both of whom contributed to the 1920 exhibition. They were also among the patrons and guarantors of the first official exhibition of the Red Rose Guild of Artworkers, as it was originally called, held in October 1921 . Phyllis Barron and Ethel Mairet work was also sold from stalls in the early days.

Presentation was recognised to be important and in 1926 special stalls were constructed and a general colour scheme introduced of cream outlined with black and gold which proved an excellent background for the exhibits . Meticulous records were kept of the annual exhibitions including exhibition layouts, invitations, tickets, catalogues and photographs of stands together with general shots of the hall.

Bernard Leach and William Staite Murray had begun to exhibit in 1924 and were acknowledged by the Manchester Guardian in 1927 as two of the foremost present day English potters . For thirty years the Red Rose Guild provided a valuable exhibiting venue for guild members. Minutes record that Pilkington was a key figure in debates concerning the standard of work and from 1924 was also responsible for hanging the regular exhibitions of the Society of Wood Engravers. Quality of work was paramount to the selectors and exhibitors were often given guidance about which works to show. Pilkington was always a member of the selection committee, often as honorary secretary and occasionally as Chair. By 1925, 60 applicants were applying for 32 stalls, and the number of stalls increased throughout the 1930's and 1950's when there were more than 80. Membership of the Guild did not automatically guarantee a place in the exhibition, a rule that caused some dissent among members.

Pilkington promoted the commissioning of wedding gifts, prizes, presentations and civic regalia from craftspeople and advocated approaching Guild members to carry out this work. Occasionally special exhibitions were held by the Guild at the Whitworth Art Gallery on Oxford Road in addition to the annual shows. The records of the Guild are less comprehensive after the World War II when the Guild began to extend its work. For example Red Rose Guild was one of five sponsors of the Craft Centre of Great Britain and Pilkington and Harry Norris served on the council. Pilkington remained a champion of the crafts until her death in 1974.

From the guide to the Red Rose Guild archive, 1921-1962, (Crafts Study Centre)