Southern Bookcrafts Club, based in central Winchester, welcomed a visit from the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Sudhakar Achwal, who toured the bindery on Friday, October 3 and met members.
The club has been promoting bookcraft for more than 30 years and offers equipment, materials, and training to help people develop skills in bookbinding and related crafts.
Cllr Achwal said: “It was a wonderful experience to see the club’s facilities and to learn more about the remarkable work being carried out there.
“I was so impressed by the range of craftsmanship — from finely bound books and journals to restoration work that brings old volumes back to life.
“The fact that the club continues to sustain and pass on such skills is both admirable and inspiring.”
Members of the club produce a wide variety of work, including leather-bound books, journals, boxes, slipcases, photo albums, and design-led books.
The club is also known for its book repair and restoration services.
Cllr Achwal said: “I came away from the visit with a deep sense of admiration for the club — not only for its craftsmanship and creativity but also for the way it builds community and keeps alive an art that might otherwise fade.”
The club’s origins date back to the late 1980s when it was formed by alumni of a book conservation course at Solent University.
After losing access to university facilities in 1990, the group secured a series of temporary premises before eventually establishing a permanent home at the Winnall Farm Industrial Estate in Winchester.
A turning point for the club came in 2011 with the arrival of Maureen Duke BEM, a renowned bookbinder who served as president and mentor until her death in 2018.
Her guidance helped the club expand and relocate to its current site.
The Southern Bookcrafts Club now operates from its fully equipped bindery in Winchester, offering 24/7 access to full members.
It continues to thrive as a centre for learning, creativity, and the preservation of traditional bookcraft.
