preserving the threads of history thanks to the broderers’ charity trust

We are delighted to announce that the Ulster Folk Museum has received a generous £20,000 grant from the Associated Companies’ Joint Venture Project, with thanks to the Worshipful Company of Broderers – one of the historic Livery Companies of the City of London – and their charitable arm, the Broderers’ Charity Trust (BCT).

Founded in the Middle Ages as the Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost of the City of London, the Broderers were established to promote and protect the art of embroidery – then a major City trade. Today, the Company continues this legacy through the Broderers’ Charity Trust, created in 1977 to encourage charitable giving in support of embroidery and its cultural heritage.

Every year, the Broderers’ Charity Trust contributes to a joint donation made by the Associated Companies – the Mercers, Masons, Cooks, and Broderers – and every four years, the Broderers select the recipient of this grant. In July 2024, National Museums NI submitted a proposal to support an ambitious and meaningful project at the Ulster Folk Museum, focused on conserving and showcasing a unique collection of white work embroidery, for which we have been successful.

This funding will support work that aligns with the four key pillars of the Broderers’ Charity Trust’s mission:

Progression of the Craft – Keeping Embroidery Relevant Today

£3,000 will be used to acquire two pieces of contemporary embroidery by third-year textiles students from the Belfast School of Art at Ulster University. These acquisitions will help bridge traditional white work techniques with modern interpretations and keep embroidery vibrant and visible within contemporary craft practice.

Preservation of Valuable Embroidered Objects

£5,000 will support essential conservation work at the museum. This work ensures these delicate and historically rich items are protected for future generations.

Education of Young People

To inspire and train the next generation of makers and curators, £2,000 will fund a two-month placement for a third-year student or recent graduate of the Belfast School of Art to assist in documenting the white work collection. An additional £1,000 will be used to deliver workshops and creative activities aimed at engaging younger museum visitors, as part of the museum's public programme.

Embroidery as a Living Part of Our Social Fabric

£8,000 will be dedicated to the production of a beautifully illustrated print publication exploring the white work collection, its cultural significance and the conservation process. A further £1,000 will support the planning and preparation of an embroidery-themed conference to be held at the Ulster Folk Museum – an event that will bring together experts, makers and the public to celebrate embroidery as a vital part of our cultural identity.

We look forward to welcoming members of the Broderers’ Guild to the Ulster Folk Museum later this year in October, for a special visit to see the impact of their support.

We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and look forward to sharing more as the project unfolds.