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The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers
The purpose of The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers is to promote and encourage the traditional Craft of
Making Rocking Horses.
Your Invitation to join & become a Member or Friend.
You can join The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers as a
MEMBER: Any person who has actually made a Rocking
Horse can apply to become a MEMBER,
or as a
FRIEND: Everyone else can join as a FRIEND.
Criteria for Members and Friends of The Guild.
Members: To be accepted as a Member of the Guild, you must have made a Rocking Horse ? it's that simple ? the rocking horse doesn't have to be big or elaborate or even original, but it does have to have been made, substantially, by the person for whom Membership is sought.
Applications are accepted from makers (or on behalf of makers), amateur or professional, whose rocking horse(s) may be of any size or type, and may be made to any design, ancient or modem. Bought components, accessories and fittings may be used, but the major work of assembly, carving, painting and finishing the horse must have been done personally by the maker. The principal material used will be wood, though horses made from other materials will be accepted, provided the making involved a high level of input from the applicant personally, using hand tools.
Friends:
You do not have to be a maker to join The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers: you might be a Restorer, a Collector, an Enthusiast, or just interested in supporting this great traditional craft, we shall welcome you to join as a Friend. We all need Friends!
Members and Friends are invited to send in photographs, letters, anecdotes and any information that may be of interest to the Guild, especially from Members about the making of their own rocking horses. These may be featured in Guild Newsletters or on the Guild website (unless requested otherwise).
Members of The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers receive:
A specially designed Certificate of Membership, Achievement and True Craftsmanship. This smart certificate depicts the Guild Logo design in full colour, and each certificate is signed by Guild President Anthony Dew and has the member's name, membership number and date of joining.
Entry on the Roll of Guild Membership. An updated list of the Roll is published regularly in the Newsletters (see below) and on the Guild Website.
Preferential Discounts on various things of particular interest to Rocking Horse makers (eg a specially commissioned Rocking Horse Makers Insurance Policy) and an invitation, free to Members, to the Annual Guild barbecue at Fangfest.
An enamel lapel badge depicting the Guild Logo design in full colour.
Discounts! A 5% discount (non?cumulative) off any goods purchased from The Rocking Horse Shop. Also book, tool or merchandise offers with discounts are offered from time to time.
Newsletters ? sent out by post approximately bi?monthly, containing information about Guild activities, updated Roll of new Guild Members and Friends, information about Guild matters, Rocking Horses and their Makers both contemporary and historic, answers to any questions that have come up and so on. Guild news and updates are also posted on the Guild Website.
Access to write on the Guild Website's Bulletin Board using a special password.
Invitations to Guild events, such as the annual Guild Barbecue at Fangfest (see below), and the Annual Guild Dinner in January.
Entry to the Guild Lucky Dip which is drawn approximately bi?monthly. The winner is announced in the Guild Newsletter and on the Website and will be sent a super prize.
Guild Memberships and Friendships run to the end of each calendar year, or to the end of the next calendar year if you join after September 1 st.
What about Joint Memberships?
Two people (eg a married couple or partners) can apply for Guild Membership on a single application. We would expect this would normally be when each person has made a significant contribution to the making of the rocking horse(s). Only one membership number, one Certificate of Membership, and one badge will be issued (additional badges and duplicate certificates may be purchased), and only one Newsletter will be sent out to Joint Members. Both names will appear on the Certificate and on the Roll of Membership, and there is no additional subscription cost for Joint Memberships. However, offers for Guild Members may be restricted, at The Guild's discretion, to 'one per member' and the first named person on The Roll of Membership shall be deemed to be the 'principal member' to whom offers are made available. Eg the barbecue at Fangfest is 'free to Guild Members' ? but is only free to one, the 'principal member' of a Joint Membership ? the other pays! Similar conditions apply to couples who wish to become Friends of the Guild.
What are Honorary Memberships?
A few Rocking Horse makers (a very few!) who have been professional makers for many years and/or who have made a significant contribution to the craft, have been offered an 'Honorary Membership'. (For example Clive Green, who has been a maker and restorer for many years, is author of Restoring Rocking Horses, and is a past Chairman of The British Toymakers Guild, accepted our offer of Honorary Membership, and is Guild Member No l.)
Fangfest
Fangfest, the 'Fangfoss Festival of the Practical Arts' is a unique event which draws people from far and wide to the village of Fangfoss. A remarkable gathering of rocking horse people (and others!), usually held over the first full weekend in September. Among the many attractions is a Barbecue to which Guild Members and Friends are invited. Guild Members are also invited to bring to Fangfest examples of their work for display near The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers stand, with a prize for the piece of work judged by visitors to be the best.
Use of the Guild Logo.
The Guild logo is a unique design which Guild Members have permission to use, for example on letterheads, but the Guild reserves the right to withdraw this permission if it is deemed that the logo is being used in an inappropriate way. It should also be understood that Guild Membership in no way implies any form of guarantee of quality or fitness for purpose. Items of Guild merchandise emblazoned with six colour embroidered Guild logos are available for purchase by Members or Friends: fleeces, body warmers, baseball caps, polo shirts etc. Also enamel lapel badges, and woven badges which can be stitched onto any garment. More to come!
The Guild...
After the Second World War the craft of rocking horse making declined and almost died. Then came a revival, and now the craft is thriving again with enthusiasts, collectors and makers in many parts of the world. The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers was founded in 1999 by Anthony Dew to bring together and provide a forum for all those who participate in or appreciate this delightful traditional craft. In its first two years the Guild attracted over 500 Members from 14 countries around the world! We hope you will support us by becoming a Member or Friend.
How do join?
Simply select one of the options below to add membership to your shopping basket.
The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers reserves the right to decline to accept an application without giving any reason (but is unlikely to do so!).
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Join the Guild of Rocking Horse Makers
If you have made a rocking horse you can join this exclusive association of makers, dedicated to keeping alive the great tradition of the craft, sharing ideas and exploring new developments.
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