Congratulations to L from Ruskin Mill College and O from Brantwood Specialist School, who were both awarded first prize for the Johnson Cup for Excellence in Textiles 2025. L had woven a beautiful cushion as part of her Entry Level 3 qualification, using plant-dyed, hand-spun wool for the weft, and machine spun, industrially dyed wool for the warp. O made an ingenious clock out of his circular weaving, using yarns naturally dyed with woad and golden rod (modified with iron to make green) from the school’s dye garden.
We were delighted to welcome Mark Johnson from the Worshipful Company of Woolmen to join us for the end of year ceremony at Ruskin Mill College to award the
Johnson Cup. This beautiful silver cup is presented each year to a student who has made a really creative and beautiful textile piece. Any student can enter and win on behalf of their school or college. There was strong competition for the Cup again this year, showing the strength of the textiles curriculum throughout the Trust and the creativity of our students.
We look forward to seeing all the beautiful work being made this year and the entries for the 2026 Johnson Cup competition.
Janine Christley
Director of Fundraising
O Nominated by Emily
Brantwood Garden School
O made a clock out of his circular weaving, using only naturally dyed yarns. We used woad and golden rod unmodified, and with iron modifier to make green. He recently finished this and gifted it to his mum for her birthday in May. O was resistant to trying wool work, but has had to have a break from land work after a major head injury last year. He has taken to his new subject beautifully. He helps me manage the dye garden and has put so much hard work into learning a new topic. I hope he’s found it beneficial to his healing process!
L Nominated by Caitlin
Ruskin Mill College
L made this woven cushion as part of her Entry Level 3 qualification, and made it with plant-dyed, hand-spun wool for the weft and machine-spun, industrially dyed wool for the warp. L made her own design and followed it through, developing skills to be independent in her work. She learnt to process and spin the yarn, and then how to warp the loom for her design. L favourite session is weaving, and she loves to be creative in everything she does.