The Master and Wardens of the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers were delighted to take part in welcoming HRH The Duke of Gloucester to Northampton Museum and Art Gallery on 30 June 2022.

Few institutions remain dedicated to their core purpose after so many centuries and Cordwainer links with Northampton, the home of British shoe manufacturing, are particularly strong. The Cordwainers provide scholarships and bursaries to footwear design students, notably those at the University of Northampton.

Master of the Cordwainers, Peter Lamble (himself the chairman of Start-Rite Shoes) said,

‘It was a pleasure to introduce His Royal Highness to members of the Company who work in Northampton and who have done so much to support students at Northampton University. They included members of the Church family, and Guy West co-founder of Jeffrey-West Shoes.

‘The Cordwainers value their links with the town and were proud to support the redevelopment of the wonderful new Shoe Gallery here in the museum.’

Pop-up display of shoes from the University of Northampton, In the background, a video of the 2014 Cordwainers Footwear Awards shows the first winner, Helen Kirkum.
John Church (second right) who did so much to forge the links between the Cordwainers and Northampton, with the Master and senior wardens.
The Master with Liveryman Jane Schaffer and student China Blackmore-Brown of the University of Northampton.
In the redeveloped Shoe Gallery Freeman Rebecca Shawcross, Senior Shoe Curator, shows Queen Victoria’s wedding shoes to His Royal Highness.
His Royal Highness with the Master and Clerk.