We have members from Aberystwyth to Matlock, Oswestry to Kendal. And we are fortunate to include members across the full range of bookbinding and the book arts, including many internationally known bookbinders. Beginners and amateurs are also well represented, and we welcome new members whatever your level of experience.
We are an active region with a regular monthly meeting, usually a practical hands-on workshop. These take place at Kelsall Community Centre (CW6 0SB) in Cheshire. Our workshops cover the range of bookbinding activities – interesting binding projects, book arts, repair and restoration, as well as specialist bookbinding techniques. Excellent tutors, with experienced members to hand, enable all members to benefit from our workshop programme.
Once regional members have had an opportunity to book, we do welcome bookings from out-of-region members. Non-members may also attend one workshop before deciding if the Society is for them. All participants pay the same workshop fee, currently £30 plus a variable charge for the materials used. Advance booking, and payment is required. Check out our Events Programme, and if you would like to participate in a workshop please e-mail our Programme Organiser Sue Wood. Alternatively, or if the workshop is full, you can attend as an observer for £10, payable on the day.
Workshops are supplemented by occasional visits to libraries and other venues, and usually a Christmas lunch. We also circulate by e-mail a monthly regional Newsletter of news and stories, often including a review of the previous workshop and a preview of the next.
The images to the right show some examples of our regional workshops. Top, paste papers made with Michael Burke; middle, Kathy Abbott’s endbands workshop; bottom, an origata binding created with Glenn Malkin.
Numbers for workshops are restricted, please book your place with our Programme Organiser Sue Wood (swoosal@btinternet.com or 07974 709664) as soon as possible. Full details of the workshop will be sent to you 4 weeks in advance, when payment will be required.
Members taking part in a workshop will be charged £30.00 plus a fee for materials. In 2025 we are continuing with our no charge to attend as observers. As ever tea, coffee and biscuits provided from 10am, for a prompt start at 10.30, at the Community Centre, Chester Road, Kelsall, CW6 0SB.
Please arrive in good time to get set up ready for the start time; we finish about 16.30.
There is a standard tools list for workshops. Additional items are listed with each workshop outline.
The standard tools list to bring to every workshop is: cutting mat, craft knife, scalpel and sharp blades, cobblers knife, large and small metal rulers, set square, pointed bone/teflon folders, sharp pencil or propelling pencil, eraser, spring dividers, tweezers, small and large scissors, bookbinders’ needle, bookbinders’ fine-pointed awl/pricker, small and large glue brushes, PVA, waste paper, apron.
In bookbinding, a stub is a narrow, folded piece of paper to which book sections can be sewn, rather than sewing the sections directly to one another. While not necessary...
Annual General Meeting, followed by an illustrated review of our 50th anniversary year. We will also feature an impressive display of items created at the many activities during the year....
A binding that entices the senses with its tactileness and promises many design possibilities. Combining leather and tyvek, we will create a strong yet very flexible cover to be slotted...
This alternative artistic approach to covering in leather was invented by Paul Delrue - Dominic’s first teacher, and this workshop is his tribute to his Master. Put simply, it is...
An off-boards binding is a structure that is frequently used in design bindings and allows the boards to be worked on and decorated before being secured to the book. In...
Based on the principle of a Jacob’s ladder, with a lid that opens in two directions, this is a fun and intriguing box. Seemingly simple, it stretches the brain and...
Cyanotype was originally used as a process for blueprints, using sunlight and paper, dating back to the 1800s. We will make a range of images providing material for book content...
NEWA holds wide-ranging and varied collections of manuscript and print material representing work and leisure of North Wales society. Keeping this accessible and available to be directly consulted is the...
A day to come together for demos and illustrated talks, plus a display of all members’ bindings for our NW2 2025 Binding Project. Glenn Malkin will demonstrate the craquelle (opposite)...
Barry makes a range of affordable notebooks / sketchbooks / journals for sale at Christmas Craft Fairs. In this workshop he will demonstrate and you will experience his approach to...