Wessex Guild of Bookbinders
History
The Wessex Guild of Bookbinders was formed in 1968 when the class at the Bournemouth Municipal College run by Eric Burdett closed.
Many were keen to continue and, by good fortune, one of the members was a nun from the House of Bethany in Boscombe, which was able to offer the use of the Convent bindery in their grounds.
The Guild's title was chosen as the bookbinders came not only from Bournemouth, but the wider Wessex region.
The Guild continued to flourish there until the early eighties when the convent closed. Once again a member came to the rescue. The late Lady Jane Hanham, with her husband Sir Michael, generously provided accommodation at Deans Court in Wimborne where, over the years, it has been housed in various parts of the building.
It was only been possible to survive due to the continued support and generosity of their son, Sir William Hanham, until Spring 2013, when the long association with the estate had to come to an end. Fortunately the Guild has now found excellent premises in Holt Heath.