Farnham World Craft Town welcomes HRH The Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate craft, heritage and creativity

Farnham World Craft Town was honoured to welcome HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KT KG GCVO to the town on Thursday 12 February 2026, marking a landmark moment in Farnham’s continuing journey as England’s first designated World Craft Town.

The Duke is passionate about the arts and gives much of his time to organisations that enable young people to develop their skills. His Royal Highness spent the day learning more about the special role of craft in Farnham through visits to several organisations.

Earlier in the day, The Duke visited University of the Creative Arts to learn about the blending of traditional craft skills with emerging technologies, and join a Creative Economy Roundtable.

Highlights at Farnham Pottery

• HRH met makers celebrating five year’s as England’s first World Craft Town
• met Potters at work and participated in stained glass window making
• The Duke learnt about the Farnham Maltings craft programme and the Farnham creative network
• HRH met makers developing skills at the Farnham School of Furniture Making
• The Duke met young people learning pottery skills as part of DofE Award

His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, was welcomed to Farnham Pottery, a historic ceramics site with roots in the nineteenth century that has been carefully restored and transformed into a thriving creative community hub. The visit celebrated Farnham’s long tradition of making, alongside its contemporary craft economy, built on strong partnerships between cultural organisations, educators and the Town Council.

The Duke met Guy, Elaine and Alex Hains, owners of Farnham Pottery, who described the restoration of the site and its role today as a centre for professional practice, education and creative collaboration.

His Royal Highness discussed the town-wide programme that nurtures skills, enterprise and public engagement in craft with representatives from the Farnham World Craft Town partnership, including Farnham Town Council, Farnham Maltings, the University for the Creative Arts (UCA).

The Duke heard about the Farnham Maltings extensive craft programme, including maker incubators, exhibitions and the long-running October Craft Weekend, now in its 30th anniversary year. The Maltings continues to play a central role in supporting professional makers and connecting craft with the wider public.

His Royal Highness learnt of the work of the award-winning New Ashgate Gallery – a nationally respected contemporary craft gallery based in Farnham, which supports makers through exhibitions, professional development and retail opportunities. The Gallery plays a key role in connecting emerging and established craftspeople with new audiences and markets, helping to sustain viable creative careers as well as fostering community engagement.

The Duke also met Professor Aftab Gharda FRSA, Regional Director (Europe) of the World Crafts Council whose attendance underlined Farnham’s international standing within the global craft community. Farnham’s designation as a World Craft Town reflects the town’s leadership in promoting craft as a driver of culture, skills and economic vitality.  As part of his visit, Professor Gharda discussed the potential for the University for the Creative Arts to be involved in the World Crafts Council’s new Global Craft Academy being established in partnership with Birmingham City University.

The visit also highlighted Farnham’s commitment to nurturing and sustaining creative enterprise. His Royal Highness met participants from the Farnham Creatives Network and the Creative Business Programme, which supports creative practitioners through mentoring, networking and business skills development across disciplines including ceramics, jewellery, illustration, paper art and mosaics.

A further focus of the visit was the Farnham School of Furniture Making, where the Duke met students and tutors involved in professional furniture-making courses. These courses support the transition from training into sustainable careers, combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design and technical expertise, and reinforcing Farnham’s reputation for excellence in wood-based crafts.

The Duke also met young makers aged 11 to 16, taking part in practical pottery classes that build confidence, creativity and technical skills. Some of the young people involved were completing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, highlighting the strong links between craft education, personal development and community engagement.

The Mayor of Farnham, Councillor George Murray, said: “Farnham’s World Craft Town status reflects centuries of making and skill, alongside a clear commitment to supporting creativity today and for future generations. It was a great honour to welcome His Royal Highness and to showcase the breadth of talent, education and collaboration that defines our town. This visit was a proud moment for Farnham and for everyone involved in sustaining our creative community.  His Royal Highness has been an inspiration for all involved and will help launch the next generation of makers and sustain the wider partnership.”

Following the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit Guy Hains, owner of Farnham Pottery, said: “Farnham Pottery has always been about people, skills and shared creativity. Welcoming His Royal Highness was a tremendous honour and a recognition of the collective effort that has gone into restoring this place and building a vibrant creative hub. The involvement of the World Crafts Council and our local partners shows the strength and reach of Farnham’s craft community.”

Professor Aftab Gharda of the World Crafts Council said: ”Farnham was the first town in England to receive recognition in the World Craft Cities network in 2020. From the outset, Farnham demonstrated that craft here is not only a tradition but also a living, evolving force, rooted in heritage, sustained by makers, and strengthened through education, enterprise, and community collaboration. What is especially inspiring is how Farnham continues to invest in the future of craft: supporting makers as businesses, engaging young people and schools, and creating opportunities for skills to be passed on, adapted, and renewed. This is exactly what the World Craft Cities Programme seeks to encourage worldwide”.

Farnham Town Council and the Farnham South Street Trust have played a central role in supporting partners and championing the World Craft Town vision, ensuring that craft remains accessible, inclusive and economically sustainable, while supporting young people, makers and creative businesses.