TEXTILIE •OC1É7Y Registered Charrty Number 288531 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES, THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT AND THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST March 2025 FOR THE TEXTILE SOCIETY
The Textile Society Annual Report - April 2024 to March 2025
Membership
In 2024-25 the Textile Society membership increased across all categories.
Awards and Bursaries
Introduction
Proceeds from the Textile Society fairs and events are vital sources of income to fund the Student Bursaries, Professional Development, and Museum, Archive and Conservation promoting knowledge within the breadth of textile disciplines.
Museum, Archive and Conservation Award
In June 2024,16 applications were received for the Museum, Archive and Conservation Award. This was a significantly high number compared with previous years. All of the applications were of a high quality which proved a challenge for the judges, who decided to award the bulk of the money to a joint project between the William Morris Gallery and the British Library. This was for an oral history interview with the eminent textile designer Sarah Campbell, which will be made available online via the British Library. There will also be an accompanying exhibition on women designers of the 20th Century. This project was awarded £4,868.
There were two other strong applications:
Austen at a cost of £1,200. This was awarded to mark the 250-year anniversary of Jane
The Harris in Preston requested funding for the conservation of items to showcase in different galleries following their refurbishment. The Lead Judge recommended the society fund two items: a textile by Althea McNish and a cotton woven dress.
These additional projects pushed the funding budget up from £5,000 to £7,368. As there were additional monies available for the year, the Chair recommended increasing the 2024 budget to a maximum of £8,000 which was approved by the committee.
The Lead Judge noted that there were some organisations that we would not be funding but whom she would like to invite to write articles for Text , which was agreed. The Quaker Tapestry Museum was also highlighted for potential support.
Special Award
Following notification of the winners of the Museums Archive and Conservation Award the committee approved a further Special Award of £2,000 to the Quaker Museum for the conservation of important samplers reflecting the cultural history of women and girls.
Professional Development Award
In 2024 the Professional Development Award received 17 applications of which 6 were shortlisted and 3 were successful.
While the Society would have welcomed more applications, submissions this year more than doubled from the previous year, and the range and quality of applicants was improved.
The top award of £1,500 went to Sven Steinmetz for Form Weben, the development of his ingenious warping mechanism, designed to create off-loom multiple layer garments.
Wafa Ghnaim, based in the U.S. was awarded £750 for a collaborative study: The Green Fabrics of Bethlehem
Sally Anne Gaukrodger-Cowan was awarded £500 for Endangered Imperfect Renegade and Reimagined Tassels and Passmenterie
Brenda M King Prize for Critical Writing in Textiles
Publications
The Editor reported that, while three newsletters were scheduled per year, production of the Autumn 2024 newsletter clashed with the copy deadline for the Text journal, which made these two publications difficult to collate at the same time. It was proposed that the three newsletters be reduced to two issues per year to be published in the Spring and Summer, plus the annual journal Text. This was approved by the Committee.
The Chair recommended informing members that the two newsletters would be expanded editions with increased content. Members were informed in the subsequent newsletter, and the revised schedule will be subject to review.
Events
The Textile Society Manchester Antique and Vintage Textile Fair, 28 April 2024 In its 31st year, this was key event in the Textile Fairs calendar. A hub for all passionate collectors of textiles, it was the first antique fair to specialise entirely in textiles. It brought together antique and vintage textile dealers from around the globe with an array of items from Asia and Europe brought by leading specialists. Many dealers are world renowned experts who offer advice to Museums, Archives and Collectors. Costume, textiles, accessories span from 17th and 18th century to mid-century to precious remnants of court dress and world textiles. The fair is a source for objects and ideas, wall art and wearables, against a backdrop of interest in sustainability, upcycling and repurposing of the old into the unique and personal for fashion or interiors.
In 2024 the Armitage Centre advised that, in future, it could only offer dates outside of the academic year due to University of Manchester sporting commitments and final year examination. Following extensive research into alternative venues, no progress was made in determining a space of comparable size and facilities. Consequently, the Armitage Centre was secured for another year within their limited calendar, and Sunday 8[th] June 2025 was confirmed.
This half-day event was a unique opportunity for delegates to engage first-hand with the history and material of shifu - the endangered art of weaving with kozo mulberry paper. The Textile Society welcomed Mrs Kazuko Sato and her interpreter to the UK. At 91 years of age, and with personal memories of Soetsu Yanagi and key figures in the Mingei Movement, Kazuko Sato is the embodiment of the Japanese art of shifu . This event included an illustrated talk and detailed demonstrations of this endangered heritage craft from Mrs Sato.
The event was recorded in the form of an article by Eleanor Burkett with a report by Pat Frost.
Committee Member Rose Sinclair agreed to give a lecture for the Voices Gloucester Threads Project on Saturday 21st September 2024 at the Folk of Gloucester venue. The £200 in line with Voices Gloucester scale of fees.
Japanese Madder: Exploring Natural Dyes at Kew Gardens, 4 October 2024 As a result of the Shifu event at the Garden Museum, London, in June 2024, this full-day event marked a visit for the first time to the UK by Ichiro Sugimoto Japanese researcher, akane (Japanese native madder). Working in collaboration with Siân Bowen (Artist in Residence) and Mark Nesbitt (Curator of the Economic Botany Collection, Kew), the event offered a unique opportunity for textile practitioners and enthusiasts to engage with a wide range of aspects related to Japanese plant dyeing. The event was recorded in the form of an article by Sian Bowen subsequently published in Text and a report by Pat Frost.
The Textile Society London Antique and Vintage Textile Fair, 13 October 2024
The fair offered an outstanding range of vintage fashion, antique textiles and costume sourced from around the world. Textiles from the 18th century up to the 1960s and 70s, furnishings including pre-1950s rugs, and unique fashion accessories could be found here. Visitors explored the fair for second hand books, ephemera and advice on textile conservation.
Conclusion
costs for venue hire and limited time for planning and organisation by its volunteer committee, the Society will need to balance costs and time constraints with the desire to promote the study of textiles through its events. Currently the majority of smaller events are subsidised by the Society.
While the membership has significantly increased in recent years, attendance at events has declined. The Society needs to explore the interests and expectations of its members to inform future event planning.
developed, demonstrating our commitment to textile education, while enhancing the Textile
Dr Linda Brassington Chair, the Textile Society June 2025
| Dr. Linda Brassington | Chair |
|---|---|
| Dr. Joanne Horton | Vice Chair and Student Bursary Lead |
| Dr. Frances Casey | Secretary (Appointed November 2024) |
| Dr. Leanne Tonkin | Co-Vice Chair and Museum Award (Resigned March 2025) |
| Sally Laker | Treasurer and Membership Secretary |
| Suzanne Smith | Awards and Bursaries Representative |
| Museum, Archive and Conservation | |
| Award | |
| Jennifer Shellard | Professional Development Award |
| Pat Frost | TEXT and News Editor |
| Clare Bungey | TEXT and News Production Editor |
| Desiree Jeans | Website Editor |
| Holly Walker | Publicity Officer |
| Professor Emerita | Conferences and Symposia team |
| Lesley Millar. MBE | member |
| Roselind Sinclair. | Publications team member (Appointed |
| MBE | September 2023) |
| Years ended 31st March Students Concessions Individual Family Small Institutions Large Institutions |
Receipts YE 24 YE 25 Difference (YE 24/25) % change £ £ £ 2,385 2,847 462 19% 3,288 4,600 1,312 40% 8,124 8,465 341 4% 250 280 30 12% 543 768 225 41% 1,458 1,728 270 19% 16,048 18,688 2,640 16% |
|---|---|
| Years ended 31st March Students Concessions Individual Family Small Institutions Large Institutions |
No. Members YE 24 YE 25 Difference (YE 24/25) % change 170 201 31 18% 209 267 58 28% 346 368 22 6% 9 10 1 11% 21 32 11 52% 29 34 5 17% 784 912 128 16% |
|---|---|
| Gross Income Less Third-party fees Income after fees Costs Net cost |
£ 2,490 258 2,232 3,618 (1,386) |
|---|---|
| YE | YE | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Art Work and Design | 2,835 | 4,657 |
| Newsletter Printing | 539 | 694 |
| TEXT Printing and distribution | 5,334 | 9,817 |
| Miscellaneous Costs | 0 | 173 |
| 8,709 | 15,340 |
| YE | YE | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Student Bursaries | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Museum, Archive and Conservation | ||
| Awards | 4,430 | 9,368 |
| Professional Development Awards | 1,700 | 2,750 |
| Brenda M King - Critical Writing | ||
| Award | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 12,130 | 18,118 | |
| YE 31st March | YE 31st March | 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | General | Bursaries | 2024/25 | 2023/24 | ||
| Funds | Fund | Fund | Total | Total | ||
| Receipts | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Membership Fees | 20,075 | 20,075 | 14,661 | |||
| Videos | 130 | 130 | 20 | |||
| Day Events | 2,490 | 2,490 | 365 | |||
| Conference/AGM | 0 | 0 | 3,320 | |||
| TEXT | 0 | 0 | 10 | |||
| London Fair | 16,881 | 16,881 | 14,941 | |||
| Manchester Fair | 11,826 | 11,826 | 18,834 | |||
| Donations | 0 | 1,457 | 1,457 | 4,003 | ||
| Bank interest recived | 51 | 208 | 259 | 283 | ||
| Total Receipts | 51 | 24,360 | 28,707 | 53,118 | 56,437 | |
| Payments | ||||||
| Administration & | 2,286 | 2,286 | 1,472 | |||
| Committee travel | ||||||
| expenses | ||||||
| Sponsership | 980 | 980 | 0 | |||
| Third party charges | 348 | 935 | 1,284 | 1,414 | ||
| Day events | 3,618 | 3,618 | 1,532 | |||
| Conference/AGM | 0 | 0 | 8,100 | |||
| Newsletter/TEXT | 15,340 | 15,340 | 8,709 | |||
| IT | 930 | 930 | 1,495 | |||
| London Fair | 9,104 | 9,104 | 7,848 | |||
| Manchester Fair | 9,740 | 9,740 | 3,472 | |||
| Awards & Bursaries | 18,118 | 18,118 | 12,130 | |||
| Total Payments | 0 | 23,502 | 37,897 | 61,399 | 46,172 | |
| Net movement in Cash | ||||||
| Funds | 51 | 857 | -9,190 | -8,282 | 10,265 | |
| Opening Cash Funds | 5,073 | 27,732 | 33,424 | 66,229 | 55,964 | |
| Transfer | -2,000 | -16,023 | 18,023 | 0 | 0 | |
| Closing Cash Funds | 3,124 | 12,567 | 42,257 | 57,947 | 66,229 | |
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT MARCH | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | |||||
| Cash Funds | ||||||
| Bank Current Accounts | 32,140 | 38,680 | ||||
| Bank Deposit Account | 3,124 | 5,073 | ||||
| Virgin Deposit Account | 22,683 | 22,475 | ||||
| 57,947 | 66,228 | |||||
| OTHER MONETARY | ||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Prepaid Expenses | 994 | 1,944 | ||||
| LIABILITIES | ||||||
| Income received in | ||||||
| advance | 2,870 | 10,340 |
NOTES
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The trustees aim to maintain Funds equal to at least one year's normal expenditure.
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All income was unrestricted and expended on charitable activities on which the Society is exempt from tax
-
Net income from Trade Fairs is primary purpose trading which is designated to the Bursaries Fund to finance bursaries and other awards
TEXTILIE •OC1É7Y Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Thè Textile Society I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Textile Society (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {'the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under s. 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under s. 145(5)(b} of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. (1 IAccounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act,. or (2IThe accounts do nol accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Jordan Abbott Bsc ACA Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Carpenter Box Limited Piper House 4 Dukes Court Bognor Road Chichester West Sussex P019 8FX Date.. 1011212025 11