Essex Handicrafts Association

About Essex Handicrafts Association

Essex Handicrafts Association was founded in 1909 with the object being to ‘promote education in the arts and crafts, in Essex and adjoining counties, particularly in organising classes, day schools, demonstrations and exhibitions’.

There are six branches throughout the county: Billericay (meeting in Billericay), Braintree (meeting in Braintree), Brightlingsea (meeting in Brightlingsea), Chelmer (meeting in Chelmsford), South East Essex (meeting in Hadleigh), and Woodlands (meeting in Loughton).

The County hold an Annual General Meeting at Stock Village Hall when cups are awarded for the best exhibit made within the previous year; the best display by a branch of work made within the previous year; and a cup for an item made from a kit, also made during the preceding twelve months.

A Brief History

Essex Handicrafts Association was founded by a group of philanthropists on August 9^th 1909.

Its purpose, in the Arts and Crafts spirit of the time, was to ‘promote education in art and crafts in Essex and adjoining counties, particularly in organising classes, day schools, demonstrations and exhibitions’.

At the turn of the century, in a reaction against industrialised manufacture, new organisations were funded by the affluent to encourage a return to quality, independent design and craftsmanship. The first forty patrons of EHA included royalty, the peerage and high-ranking military.

Membership of the Association gave craftsmen and women the opportunity to exhibit at County exhibitions to promote their work and gain recognition through various awards. These prestigious annual exhibitions were held across Essex from 1910 until 1939. Many professional associations became affiliated with a view to selling or providing instruction for others.

During the Second World War the organisation created support groups across the County to help communities share basic survival skills such as ‘make do and mend’ sewing skills.

In post war Britain, EHA took on a rather different role. Annual exhibitions returned from 1947 and remained the main focus, but the desire for wider access to knowledge and skills gave classes, day schools and specialist groups greater importance. The promotion of hobby crafts became as important as those of the professionals. A more social network of Branches grew in the County.

Various legacy projects were executed by members in the following decades which can be seen in numerous churches and public buildings across Essex.

In the Museum at Braintree the Essex Model House is a showcase of furniture and textile crafts in miniature, and the Essex Model Barn at Layer Marney Towers displays hand crafted agricultural miniatures.

At the start of the new millennium Essex Handicrafts Association had to, again, adapt for the future. The Annual Exhibition was no longer viable due to time and cost, so individual branches are now encouraged to exhibit and promote. Workshops, group activities and meetings are also now organised locally, making the focus more relevant. Once a year all members meet for the County AGM and showcase day.

Essex Handicrafts Association has remained a charity throughout.