Durham Stick Makers receive funding boost from Banks

Durham Stick Makers, based in Fence Houses, has been awarded £1,836 from the Banks Community Fund to purchase specialist equipment that will help grow its membership and continue teaching the traditional craft of stick making.

The group meets twice weekly at the Fence Houses Community Centre and is the only club of its kind in the North East.

Members range in age from their 20s to their 90s and come from across County Durham and the wider region.

Michael Timmins, secretary of Durham Stick Makers, said: “Our group was born out of a desire to keep this endangered heritage craft alive, and our aim is to preserve it, educate future generations about it and engage with the local community.

“The social side of what we do is also really valuable, with the chance to spend time in a welcoming environment a couple of times a week being especially important for the well-being of many of our older members.

“As a small community group, we don’t really have the cash available to make a capital purchase like this in one go.

“Having the Banks Group’s support is going to make a real difference to our long-term future, and we’d love to see more people coming along to our classes and workshops in the coming months.”

The club is working to raise membership to at least 50 by next year, through evolving links with a number of Durham University colleges.

The grant has funded three new sets of frames, which are used to prepare the materials before work on carving them begins and will give them more capacity to accommodate the new members they are looking to attract.

The club teaches and promotes the heritage craft of constructing traditional walking sticks, canes and shepherds’ crooks from timber, animal horn and antlers—a skill which dates back more than 2,000 years.

Members have made a number of items for King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Duke of Northumberland.

They also carry out stick repairs for a nominal fee and offer charitable help to people who require a walking stick due to injury, age-related disabilities and financial difficulties.

Beyond its craft work, the group provides a valuable source of companionship and social interaction for members, especially those who may otherwise feel isolated.

Mr Timmins said attracting younger members is key to ensuring the tradition continues.

He said: “Giving a craft like stick making a sustainable future means gaining younger people’s interest in it, giving them the chance to learn all about it from those who have the knowledge they need and providing the equipment they need to put their learning into action.”

Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, said: “Incredible levels of skill and craftsmanship go into making these wonderful creations and it’s a pleasure to see these local experts at work.

“The Durham Stick Makers have a real commitment to pass their knowledge on to future generations and we’re very pleased to be supporting their drive towards doing so.”

The Banks Group’s community funds are independently managed by Point North, formerly known as the County Durham Community Foundation.

Anyone from a community close to a Banks Group project who is interested in applying for funding from the Banks Community Fund should contact the company via its website enquiry form to find out if their group or project is eligible.