Exclusive handmade decorations – available online now and in PHM shop 8 October
People’s History Museum (PHM) is embracing the festive season with the launch of a stunning new range of handcrafted Christmas tree decorations, created in collaboration with textile artist Frockdolly.
Each decoration is individually stitched by hand using vibrant felt and vivid thread inspired by European folk art. Designs include the Pride Progress flag and the raised fist of solidarity – symbols that reflect the stories and values championed by PHM – together with timeless festive motifs. Every piece carries a message of hope and unity, making them not only beautiful but meaningful additions to your Christmas collection.
The full range is available to purchase online and arrives in PHM’s museum shop from 8 October. Priced at £12.50, each piece measures approximately 10-13cm high. Every purchase supports PHM’s mission to share ideas worth fighting for.
Winter Makers Markets – 20 – 23 November
From Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 November, People’s History Museum’s magnificent Edwardian Engine Hall will be transformed into a vibrant festive marketplace as the museum hosts its Winter Makers Markets. Set beneath the spectacular glass roof of the Grade II listed building, the event promises a magical atmosphere filled with seasonal shopping, cosy vibes, festive food, and live music.
The markets open with a very special Winter Warmer launch evening on Thursday 20 November (£10, bookable in advance) that includes live music, pop up workshops, a complimentary glass of mulled wine, and a chance to preview the stalls, followed by free entry from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November (no booking required). More details on the Winter Warmer, and booking details are available here.
Visitors can expect a curated collection of stalls from some of the finest independent makers and designers across the North West. Plus craft workshops full of inspiration from the makers themselves. These are bookable in advance and start from £15, with all the details here.
You can find out more about PHM, its latest programme of events and visiting the museum at phm.org.uk, and you can keep up to date with the latest news by signing up to receive PHM’s e-newsletter.
ENDS
For further information, to arrange a visit or interview please contact Fido PR:
laura.sullivan@fidopr.co.uk / clare.short@fidopr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
About People’s History Museum
People’s History Museum (PHM) in Manchester is the UK’s national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. Through an eclectic and colourful mix of historic and contemporary collections, featuring banners, badges, posters, photography and more, the museum celebrates the radical stories of people coming together to champion ideas worth fighting for.
Offering an engaging programme of exhibitions and events, collaborating with communities to create authentic content, the museum is Family Friendly throughout – inspiring the next generation to be active citizens.
People’s History Museum encourages visitors to be empowered by the past to make a change for the future. We are all together in the fight for a fairer world.
About Frockdolly
Frockdolly, aka Cas Verity Baker, has lived a life as colourful as the creations that she now makes. You could say that her destiny was stitched into the stars.
From an early age Cas attended Embroiders’ Guild meetings with her mum and then the bright lights of the stage called, so a planned foray into studying Colour Chemistry at University instead led her to Theatre Design & Technology. A stint in Ibiza running a fancy dress shop followed with designing costumes for the Central School of Ballet and then a role at the National Theatre Hire Department, before moving on to the BBC Costume Store. Behind the scenes Cas continued to craft, knit, crochet and sew, and it was following two diagnoses of disabling illnesses that she re-discovered her love of embroidery.
Her work features a kaleidoscope of influences inspired by a childhood spent living abroad: Caribbean colours, South Korean motifs, Thai beading techniques and Saudi Arabian patterns. When not in her London studio, you’ll often find Cas in the garden with her nieces.
About Arts Council England (ACE)
PHM is an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). The work of PHM is supported using public funding by ACE, the national development agency for creativity and culture. ACE have set out their strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 they want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. From 2023 to 2026 they will invest over £467 million of public money from government and an estimated £250 million from The National Lottery each year to help support the sector and to deliver this vision.
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