Making and memory News from the School of Art, Architecture and Design

Traditional Leather work tools donated to Cass short courses area.

Date: 25/06/15

Mrs. Jo Hall kindly donated a collection of leather work tools to The Cass, which had belonged to her father Michael Shiel. The hand tools will now be restored to full working use by course tutor Franco Marinelli and used to teach leatherwork courses in our Short Courses area.

Michael Shiel was a saddle and harness maker by trade, taught by his own father many years ago in a small town in Southern Ireland called Durrow, though through his skill he could turn his hand to practically anything.

After moving to London in the 40's, with his wife, Ann, he worked many years at Hangers, the artificial limb centre at St Mary's Hospital in Roehampton.

Jo agrees that the continued use of his tools by a new generation of craftspeople is a fitting way to remember her father Michael and we thank her for the donation.