The following was a feature in Shropshire Magazine with photography by Jamie Ricketts.
In the heart of Shrewsbury is Drapers Hall – the historic home of the town’s oldest surviving guild.
Today, Shrewsbury Drapers Company, which was granted a Royal charter to trade in wool in 1462, is a volunteer-led organisation dedicated to community service.
There are approximately 86 members or Freemen who willingly give their time and expertise.
Although they come from all walks of life, they all share the same passion for preserving the guild’s heritage.
This includes the running of the Drapers’ almshouses for the benefit of local residents and encouraging textile design and education with an annual competition for both adults and students.
The current Master is Trevor Hunt, a retired surgeon who worked at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. He is supported by Senior Warden Nancy Sykes Waller and Junior Warden Mandy Thorn.
Trevor joined the Drapers around 13 years ago, inspired by his family’s links with the wool and textile industry.
“It’s one of the relatively few medieval provincial guilds still remaining, the heritage and history appealed to me. In my case, there is a link because I had paternal ancestors in the textile and woollen industry,” he explains. Trevor, who had previously been Senior Warden for 12 months, took over the reins at the annual Charter Night in March.
The evening includes The Ceremony of the Loving Cup, which represents friendship and fraternity.
It’s just one of the many traditions the Drapers try to preserve as well as their work in the community.
Drapers – the name given to merchants dealing in woollen cloth in medieval and Tudor times – are first mentioned in Shrewsbury in 1204, when they occur as individuals in the first Guild Merchant Rolls of the town. They controlled the export trade in woollen cloth from Wales through to London and further on into Europe. They were wealthy merchants who made their money from the wool trade. Some of the town’s prominent figures were Drapers.
“The Prides of Pride Hill were Drapers, Rowley of Rowley’s Mansion was a Draper and Thomas Bowdler was also a Draper,” explains Trevor.
In 1444, Shrewsbury Drapers founded their first almshouses before being incorporated by Royal Charter in 1462.
The first group of 13 timber-framed cottages and a common hall were built in the churchyard facing St Mary’s Street, then known as Ox Lane.
“Degory Watur was the first Warden and was instrumental in founding the almshouses,” says Trevor.
“The almshouses provided homes for widows and spinsters who received money, fuel and clothing from the Drapers.”
Today, the Drapers’ almshouses, currently totalling 51 units, are spread over four sites in Shrewsbury – Drapers Place, Fairford Place, St Giles and Holy Cross – and another site in Newport.
“We aim to provide safe, secure and affordable housing and a community spirit,” says Trevor.
“All of the running of the almshouses is done by volunteers and two part-time staff,” he adds.
Drapers Place, which offers 25 purpose-built single and twin bedroom apartments, opened in 2016 close to Shrewsbury Abbey.
There are four bungalows at St Giles set around a private garden and five almshouses at Holy Cross, adjacent to the Abbey.
At Fairford Place, just off Longden Coleham, there are currently 16 bedsits, however, a £2.4million project is under way to redevelop and modernise the site. Eight new apartments will be built and 12 studio apartments will be upgraded to one-bedroom apartments.
The scheme, which will bring the total number of units to 59, is being funded with the Drapers’ own reserves, grants from Homes England and other donors, and through a commercial mortgage.
“By spring next year, the new building will be complete and by the autumn the whole project will be complete,” says Trevor, who serves as a director on the board of Shrewsbury Drapers Holy Cross Ltd, which is the arm of the Shrewsbury Drapers which has responsibility for the management of the almshouses.
To apply for a place, residents need to be living in Shropshire or Powys or have close connections to the area; capable of independent living; approaching or already reached retirement age; in housing need and without financial resources; and be able to benefit from and contribute to, living in a community.
“We do encourage a sense of community. At Fairford Place, we have the Mulberry Room and at Drapers Place, have The Bradbury Room. These are community rooms and we have coffee mornings which the residents can attend and so do some of the Drapers,” says Trevor.
Another way the Drapers pay homage to their roots while supporting the local community is through their annual textile competition, which has been taking place for more than 25 years.
There is a different theme every year and the 2024 theme was ‘The Four Seasons’ with the exhibition taking place at Shrewsbury Library.
The competition, supported by the London Drapers, The Worshipful Company of Woolmen and Tweedmill Textiles, is for a piece of textile work which preferably will include some wool, although not essential.
It can include other materials such as decorative needlework and collage.
“The exhibition maintains a link with our heritage of trade in woollen cloth during medieval times,” says Trevor.
There are four categories in the competition including amateur adults, students aged 16-22 and the Young Textile Design Competition for school students in Key Stage 3 (Years 7,8,9) and Key Stage 4 ( Years 10,11)
There is no theme for the schools – students can enter a textile piece from their course work.
In addition to Shropshire, the competition is open to The Marches’ area, traditionally Drapers trading territory, which includes the neighbouring counties of Herefordshire, Powys, Monmouthshire and Wrexham.
There are many prizes and certificates including gold, silver, and bronze awards in all categories. Certificates of Highly Commended and Commended are also awarded at the discretion of the Judges.
The Graphic Textile Award, introduced in 2021, is presented to any entry in the Textile Design Competition who in the opinion of the Judges demonstrates an outstanding graphic textile design ability.
Entrants in the student category are also eligible to enter the ‘Jackie Ryan Memorial Award’, which provides an opportunity for a student of textiles/ design to have a work experience placement with Tweedmill Textiles Ltd, of Flint.
“We had 137 entries in 2024. We are proud to be supporting people who enjoy working in textiles, a few of whom may want to pursue a textiles career,” says Trevor.
In 2021, Shrewsbury Drapers Company was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK.
Created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation, it is presented to outstanding groups of volunteers whose level of initiative and impact are truly exceptional.
Drapers Hall also plays a role in supporting tourism and trade in Shrewsbury with part of the building home to Rhubarb restaurant and bar.
The guildhall, built in 1585, is a half-timbered building and home to original antiques such as Master’s chair, dated 1662, and a chest which was made to hold the Drapers Company’s deed and records.
It was made by Francis Bowyer in 1637 and the central ‘column’ on the front can be removed to disclose the three locks; the Master and Wardens each held one key.
“We are an active guild with a modern purpose. Yes, there is a ceremonial side to what we do but through our almshouses, which we have run continuously since 1444, we provide affordable housing for the community,” says Trevor.
Shrewsbury Drapers Company is always interested in hearing from people who are interested in becoming members.
