SDC Forum - Recent Topics

SDC 2026 Annual General Meeting Friday 15th May at Perkin House, Bradford.

Graham Clayton (SDC) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 17:00:26 +0000

The 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Society of Dyers and Colourists

The SDC 2026 AGM (which reports on the activities and finances of 2025 plus the forward look) will take place on Friday 15th May 2026.

As this year is the 170th Anniversary of Perkin’s discovery of Mauveine, we thought it fitting to hold the AGM in Perkin House and take the opportunity to display Perkin related items from the Textile Archive.

Slight change to the usual format

This year we have also swapped around the AGM and lunch, so we welcome all SDC Voting Members to join us for a buffet lunch at 12:30 and to see the Textile Archive displays. The AGM will then commence at 14:00 in the Perkin Suite with online access for those around the globe unable to travel to be with us. Perkin House internet connection is good, but at times unreliable and can drop out, so we have already put in place plans to have a new and improved connection in time for the AGM, so whether in person or online we can be confident of a reliable AGM.

Business of the AGM

The usual AGM business will be conducted including: Presentation of the Annual Report and Accounts, Election of the SDC President and President Elect, appointment of 3 Trustees (as 3 reach the end of their current term of office at this AGM), and the appointment of elected members of the Nominations & Medals Committees. The Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer were both elected to their posts at the 2024 AGM and so serve in those positions until the 2027 AGM. Of course the AGM is also the time when Voting Members decide on any changes to Memebrship Subscription rates from the start of January the following year.

Other AGM items

The AGM will also appoint the Auditors, as it does annually, and consider any other items submitted for consideration at the AGM. The Education, Qualifications and Accreditation Board of the SDC have submitted a proposed Rule change that involves ASDC and CCol eligibility and their relationship to each other. This will be considered at the next Society Board meeting and if approved then passed to the AGM for its consideration. Hence look out for further details.

Voting Member motions for the AGM.

SDC Rule 70 provides a mechanism for SDC Voting Members to submit motions to be considered at the Annual General meeting. Formally the notice of such Motions should be 6 weeks before the AGM but the Society’s Board welcome any such Motions and will do their best to include them in the AGM, or provide written responses if more appropriate and to ensure the best use of available time.

To submit a Motion please email the CEO who will ensure the SDC Honorary Secretary is informed.

'Colours for Change' exhbition on natural dyes 6th February - 30th March 2026, Wells, Somerset, UK

Graham Clayton (SDC) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:19:36 +0000

Colours for Change

AO Textiles warmly invites you to our latest exhibition, celebrating colour, craft, and how local ecologies can shape contemporary textile practice.

AO Textiles is pioneering a new approach to colour for the 21st century. This exhibition showcases AO Textiles' ground breaking work with natural dyes, linking traditional practices with contemporary production to create local, circular textile systems rooted in environmental responsibility. This exhibition highlights how our work in Somerset and particularly with the Bishop's Palace Garden has provided a living 'research lab' where sustainably foraged bio-waste from trees becomes a source of vibrant, locally inspired colour.

As part of your visit, there is an opportunity to explore the Bishop’s Palace Gardens, giving you the chance to see some of the plants and trees that informed many of the colours and materials on display.

We hope to welcome you soon,
AO Textiles

By Train:

Fastest route:

Take a direct train from London Paddington → Bath Spa (approx. 1 hr 20 mins).
The bus station is next to Bath Spa station, with regular buses to Wells (approx. 1 hr 20 mins).
- First Bus routes: 174 or 173

Alternative route:

Trains also run from London → Bristol Temple Meads, where you can catch a direct bus to Wells.
- First Bus route: 376

Nearest train station to the venue:

The closest station is Castle Cary.
Important: There are no direct buses from Castle Cary to Wells, so it's best to book a taxi in advance.
Local taxi services:
- Cruizeway Travels: 07516 060050
- Avacab: 01749 670 888
- Anzford Cars: 07831 249 441
- Shepton Mallet Cabs: 07964 326468

By Coach:

The Berrys Coach service (berryscoaches.co.uk) occasionally offers a useful direct connection:

Departure from London: Hammersmith Bus Station at 6:45 pm
Return: 7:30 am from Wells bus station.
Single fares are usually good value and can be booked in advance.

Venue: The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2PD

Colours-for-Change.png

Join Us in Remembering John Wyles 18th March 2026 at 18:00 (UK time)

Graham Clayton (SDC) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:20:20 +0000

The SDC UK Northern Region warmly invites you to a memorial lecture celebrating our dear friend and longstanding member, John Wyles, who sadly passed away in May last year. John inspired us with his lectures, including a memorable talk on William Morris – a visionary designer who combined creativity with care for people and the planet. This special event will honour John’s passion for design, sustainability, and learning.

✨ What to Expect:
Talks from academics, industry suppliers & fabric houses
Insights into more sustainable production methods.
Displays from our textile collection, plus pattern books & samples.
Time to share stories, memories & reflections on John’s inspiring legacy

💻 Can’t attend in person? The talk will also be available live via Zoom. Access details emailed after registration.
Register here: https://sdc.org.uk/product/a-lasting-legacy-sdc-northern-region/

📅 18/03/2026 - 6:00pm | 📍 SDC HQ, Perkin House, Bradford, UK

SDC Textile Collection Launch at Perkin House

Shelley Hollingdrake (SDC) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:15:24 +0000

A wonderful night was had re-launching the fabulous SDC Textile Archive at SDC headquarters in Bradford. Interested in the collection? Take a look here Explore the collection - SDC Textile Collection

Indian National Conference Announcement

Graham Clayton (SDC) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:50:04 +0000

SDC EC India, in association with Shardabai Pawar College of Mahila Arts, Commerce & Science, Baramati, is pleased to announce the organization of a Two-Day National Conference, scheduled to be held on 13th and 14th February 2026 at PCMB College, Baramati, Maharashtra.

Theme of the Conference: “Future Fabrics: Advancing Textile Manufacturing with Natural & Bio-Based Resources”.

See attached file also for speakers and sessions.

Textile-Conference-2026-Baramati-brochure.pdf

Would being a Chartered Scientist (CSci) be of interest to SDC Members?

Graham Clayton (SDC) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:15:04 +0000

The SDC is a member of the Science Council who are a Chartered Body like the SDC and they offer CSci to individuals. Is this something of intrest to SDC Members? Individuals could then be CCol CSi. Would it be a useful addition to your status?

Clare Moore announces her retirement from the Society as of 31st March 2026

Graham Clayton (SDC) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:58:05 +0000

Retirements are inevitable in that time catches up with everyone, but it is with some great degree of sadness that I share with Society Members that Clare Moore has notified me that she is to step down and retire from her position as Membership Manager at the SDC as of the end of March this year. I am sure much more will be said about Clare's time and her huge input to the Society in the next 2 months, but for now we want all members to be aware of the imminent changes. We will notify everyone about plans for coverage when Clare has ended her time with the SDC, but that is for future news and for now I am sure MANY will join me in thanking Clare for her work at the Society, wish her every happiness in her retirement and encourage her to keep in contact. I think it is fairly certain Clare will hold the record for longest serving employee of the Society for many years, if not indefinetly. Thank you Clare and our very best wishes for life after work!

Science in Parliament - Winter 2025

Clare Moore (SDC) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:36:43 +0000

Contract Embroidery available from Perkin House

Graham Clayton (SDC) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:27:15 +0000

One of the Perkin House tenants is Harrogate Workwear who provide embroidery services. You can supply a logo or name in a range of formats and they embroider that on to garments. They can supply the garments or their customers supply garments and they can embroider. No minimum / maximum volume. Whilst this is 'promotion' of another business, that business is a tenant in Perkin House. They recently have lost 2 of their big clients and so to help them stay in Perkin House (and paying rent to the Society) I offered to point out their services to our members. As they are Bradford based then clearly Yorkshire and the North is easier for their customers but they are happy to deal with customers regardless of location. SDC Members might even want to pop into the SDC offices for a coffee and chat when here too! To enquire about emboidery work then please contact Josephat Bwalya directly on harrogateworkwear@yahoo.com

SDC Midlands Region Annual General Meeting & International Design Competition Heat

Clare Moore (SDC) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:17:26 +0000

Midlands Region AGM and IDC Heat - Wednesday 25 March 2026 @De Montfort University.