Launch of Pride Passion and Skills Made in Sheffield Project

The event was opened by past Master Cutler Philip Rodrigo. Nick Duggan from The Hawley collection outlined the major elements of the project as mentioned below. Also in attendance were representative from the six Sheffield Heritage Companies, involved, Sheffield Museum , volunteers and trustees of the Hawley Collection and young people from The University Technical College.

The Ken Hawley Collection Trust, based at the Kelham Island Museum, has landed this major funding boost for its new project, ‘Pride, Passion and Skills – Made in Sheffield,’ which will capture disappearing crafts, protect priceless industrial knowledge, and inspire young people to take pride in the city’s manufacturing past — and its future.

‘This project will help preserve and share Sheffield’s world-famous tool and cutlery heritage, while creating new opportunities for people to learn skills, participate and feel pride in the city’s manufacturing past and present,’ says Keith Crawshaw, chair of the Ken Hawley Collection Trust.

‘Film crews working with young people from the University Technical College will capture the skills and processes at six local companies, Footprint Tools, Durham Duplex, Ernest Wright, British Silverware, Thomas Flinn’s and Staniforth’s for future generation and their prospective employees.’

‘It will create new digital films, to add to our growing YouTube channel which has over 13,000 followers and 1.5 million visits online’, enthuses Keith.

‘Two new interactive catalogues will also allow visitors to turn over the pages and marvel at the range of items made in Sheffield, along with a refreshed website to

make more of the collection accessible to people across the UK and beyond, for people who may not be able to visit in person.’

‘It will also offer hands-on opportunities such as work experience for young people, outreach activities for local communities, and a chance for volunteers and collectors to contribute knowledge, memories, and objects to a number of ‘digital galleries.

‘These will showcase some of the least accessible items in the Ken Hawley Collection, including the world’s largest collection of saws and micrometres, Sheffield’s famous pocket-knife makers Stan Shaw and George Wolstenholme.

‘The project will unlock and display for a worldwide audience, the enormous range of items made by James Dixon from tea pots to hip flasks.

‘Alongside this public-facing work, “Pride, Passion and Skills – Made in Sheffield” will strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Ken Hawley Collection Trust by reviewing governance and IT systems, recruiting, and training new volunteers, and building stronger partnerships with local industry and education providers,’ says Keith.

The Trust, based at Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield, holds over 100,000 objects which tell the story of Sheffield’s light trades – from cutlery and edge tools to measuring instruments and silversmithing.

‘It was built up over 30 years by Ken Hawley and is now cared for by volunteers and is of national and international importance, however, much of the knowledge behind these objects – including skills, working practices and personal stories, is at risk of being lost as companies close and skilled workers retire’ explains Keith.

‘This new project will work closely with Sheffield heritage manufacturing companies, schools, and community groups to connect past and present, and inspire future generations,’ adds Keith.