2nd Fanmaking Workshop.
at highgrove
Following a very successful inaugural course in May, the Company were invited to run another fan making course at the King’s Foundation at Highgrove in November 2025 in the beautiful surroundings of Barley Court. Eight people attended the course which was run by Sophia Mace, assisted by Liveryman Tom Saunders and Assistant Helen Marr.
On the first day, participants were given an introduction to the Company, the work of the Heritage Craft Committee and a brief outline of the course. Helen Marr then gave a short talk about fans and displayed some fans from her own collection. The students were able to handle the fans and these, together with some books, helped to inspire the designs for the fans.
Everyone was encouraged to use their notebooks to sketch out their designs. Unfortunately, because of the weather, we were unable to go outside this time. Very quickly everyone became absorbed in painting their designs on their fan leaves and sticks. They ranged from purely abstract to some beautiful floral patterns.
Day 2 was spent finishing the decoration on the sticks and guards before Sophia Mace demonstrated how to use the moulds to pleat their fan leaves. The students were then helped to pleat their own fan leaves before applying them to their sticks. The result was 8 beautiful fans and the students were really pleased with the how they looked. Two students liked their fans so much they were going to carry them to a dinner they were going to the following weekend.
