Headteacher, Paul Logan
Creative alumni of Derby Grammar School will be among exhibitors at the school’s craft fair – its first public event since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Traditional leather worker Oliver Foulds graduated from the school’s sixth form in 2008 and will be returning to his alma mater for the first time this weekend to sell his leather goods.
Oliver originally worked in wildlife conservation for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, before setting up his own business in 2020, just before Covid-19 struck. He makes wallets, card holders, belts and commissioned pieces. He has also started making guitar straps in a nod to his family’s history of running the Foulds Music shop in Derby.
“This will be the first time I’ve been back to Derby Grammar School and I’m really excited,” said Oliver, who has a small workshop at his Belper home. “When I set up my business my plan was to do lots of craft fairs, get out and meet people and get myself known. Then the lockdown happened and I had to start to build my business online.”
Oliver is very particular about the leather he uses, only sourcing the highest grade, vegetable-tanned leather available, and said conveying this quality online has been a challenge.
“The craft fair at Derby Grammar School will be my first and I’m really excited to be able to meet people, talk to them about the products and let them see, touch and smell the leather which is so important.”
Also looking forward to returning to see his former school at the craft fair on Saturday, March 19 is Simon Wood who studied at the school from 1998-2005. He and his wife Joshna run Funky Hairwear, selling hair accessories, together on top of their day jobs in Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service in Birmingham.
When Simon started the school, he recalls his class being the biggest intake since the school opened in 1995. He is looking forward to seeing the changes to the school since he left and seeing some of his teachers who are still there today.
“The school was really small when it started and I remember the hall being built while I was there. My time there was a really integral part of my life. My best friend today is still a friend from when I was at school there and I’m really looking forward to taking my wife and four-year-old to see it.”
The craft fair is free and open to the public on Saturday, March 19 from 10am-3pm. Among the dozens of stalls will be The Melbourne Soap Company, Florin Candles Alter-Eco and Julie Bullock Ceramics. Crafts on sale include artworks, wooden gifts, books, clothes, cosmetics, cards and more. Music will be provided throughout the day by Hot House Music and also the school’s Jazz and Swing Band.
Head, Paul Logan said: “We are really looking forward to being able to open up our school to the public again now the Covid restrictions have lifted and to welcoming the sellers and visitors.”
Guided tours of the school and its Georgian buildings in Rykneld Road, Littleover, are also available and can be prebooked on https://bit.ly/3K8HT5n
