Made in Buxton – Threads of History, Skills for the Future
Schedule
Mon, 16 Feb, 2026 at 10:30 am
UTC+00:00Location
The Assembly Rooms, The Crescent, SK17 6BH Buxton, United Kingdom | Buxton, EN
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Join us on 16 February for the first event in 'Made in Buxton – Threads of History, Skills for the Future' a new programme of events celebrating Buxton’s heritage of making, craft, and community.Running from January to November 2026, this project from Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust and Transition Buxton, supported by the 'Derbyshire Makes History' fund, will explore the town’s industrial and cultural past through talks, workshops, exhibitions, and creative commissions.
The launch event invites local people share and uncover the stories that matter: memories of craft and industry, family traditions, and the skills that shaped Buxton’s identity. These shared stories will guide the year ahead as we celebrate traditional skills and explore their relevance for the future. Did you work for a local manufacturing company such as Cooper's Corset Factory, Otter Controls or Duron? We'd love to hear from you.
🗣 Story‑Gathering Stations
Help us capture Buxton’s working memories.
📍Contribute to our ‘Where Did You Work?’ Map**
Add a sticker to our giant map of Buxton and show where you or your family worked. Watch the town’s industrial story come to life.💬 Volunteer‑Led Memory Chats**
Pull up a chair, grab a clipboard, and share your memories with our friendly volunteers.
🧵 ‘Stitching the Story’ Collaborative Artwork
Meet artist Becca Smith and explore her work.
🏭 Local Industry Table
Discover images, catalogue entries, and snippets from Cooper’s Corset Factory, quarrying, and other local industries. Add your own memories to the timeline.
🔧 ‘Skills for the Future’ – Stitch Don’t Ditch
What skills should Buxton keep alive? Sewing, mending, baking, engineering, tool‑use, design…
🎉 Quiz & Prizes
Test your knowledge of Buxton’s making and manufacturing heritage.
👨👩👧 Family‑Friendly Making Activities
Perfect for little makers (and grown‑up ones too):
• Weaving wall – Add a strip of fabric, ribbon, or paper representing a memory, skill, or hope for the future.
• Button sorting tray – Sort, pattern‑make, and chat about who in your family sews or mends.
• Mini maker badges – Decorate your own badge: Maker, Fixer, Designer, Builder, Sewer, and more.
• Thread‑the‑shape boards – Sew with wool through cardboard shapes inspired by Buxton’s industries.
• Heritage matching game – Match tools, objects, and materials to the jobs they belonged to.
This event is all about celebrating the people, skills, and stories that have shaped Buxton. Come along, share your memories, make something new, and help us show what 'Made in Buxton' really means.
Contact lbrooks@buxtoncrescenttrust,org for more information or if you have a story to share.
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Where is it happening?
The Assembly Rooms, The Crescent, SK17 6BH Buxton, United Kingdom, Buxton, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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