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Forgotten Newton Arts and Crafts school's story revealed

Pluck family Albert PrimePluck family
Albert Prime was a teamster on the Hurrell estate at Newton who was trained in metalwork and later became the school's only tutor

The discovery of a candlestick by an antiques dealer has revealed the story of a forgotten Arts and Craft school.

The Newton School of Metalwork was a successful enterprise in Cambridgeshire from 1890 until World War Two.

Dave Marshall was put in touch with Bob Pluck, great-nephew of the school's only employee Albert Prime, while researching the candlestick's history.

To his amazement he found Mr Pluck had a "goldmine" of information, including photographs and more than 700 designs.

Pluck family Metal workers at Newton Metalwork CollegePluck family
Farm workers were trained at winter evening classes and created Arts and Craft movement metalwork when not needed for field work
Dave Marshall Copper clock with cockerel designDave Marshall
They produced all sorts of objects, frequently exhibited them in London and were regularly reported upon in newspapers for winning design awards

Mr Marshall, who is a specialist dealer in Arts and Crafts artefacts, said the candlestick - one of a pair of flat-backed candlesticks known as chamber sticks - had a sticker on its back revealing it was made by Albert Prime at Newton.

He said he got in touch with Mr Pluck in 2020 "and it turned out he was sitting on a goldmine".

"Many years after the workshops fell into disrepair, he'd gathered up all the photographs, registers and an archive of more than 700 hand-drawn designs produced for and used by the school."

Pluck family Bob PluckPluck family
Bob Pluck was very proud of his uncle's achievements, so saved the school's archives of original designs, photographs and registers

Mr Marshall has bought - or been loaned - 47 objects made by the Newton school which have gone on display at David Parr House in Cambridge.

He was able to verify the unmarked pieces using the designs and photographs saved by Mr Pluck.

Mr Marshall said: "Sadly, Bob passed away in 2021, but he really wanted to share this information with someone who would pass on the history of the school."

Dave Marshall Large copper mirror with foliate designDave Marshall
The archive means objects like this mirror could be verified as by the Newton School because Dave Marshall could compare it to its hand-drawn paper design...
Pluck family Metal workers at Newton Metalwork CollegePluck family
...and he also found it in this photograph with its maker Elias Fuller (far right) who was a horse keeper in Newton

It was founded at Newton, near Cambridge, by Harrold Hurrell and Eliza Nash, as part of the Home Arts and Industries Association which sought to revive rural craft.

Mr Hurrell's family owned the local estate and the school was designed to give agricultural workers training and employment during the winter months, when there was less farm work.

"Within five years they were exhibiting in London and they won a commission from the Prince of Wales [later Edward VII], which is not bad for a few farm workers in a tiny rural village in Cambridgeshire," said Mr Marshall.

Pluck family Harrold HurrellPluck family
Harrold Hurrell co-founded the school and was its benefactor, forging links with designers, until he died suddenly in 1926
Dave Marshall Brass charger with repeating fish designDave Marshall
In contrast, very little is known about the school's co-founder Eliza Nash

Charlotte Woodley, the Pilgrim Trust curator at David Parr House, said: "Of course, the village still knows about it, but it has largely been forgotten from wider memory.

"And like the David Parr House, it's a working class story, involving more than 17 men from the village earning a very valuable second income."

Mr Marshall has traced some of the workers' details and it is hoped their descendants - and those of Miss Nash - will now be inspired to come forward with more information.

Mr Marshall said: "Without Bob Pluck saving the archive this history could have been lost forever."

Pluck family Copper peacock fire surroundPluck family
Newton School items were also sent to the United States by American airman based at Duxford during World War Two, according to Albert's account
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