Birmingham

The New Standard Works is an impressive and iconic four-storey grade II listed factory in Vittoria Street in Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter. The building is full of creativity, enterprise & heritage; its industrial past is reflected within the public area on the ground floor called The Hive, which includes an organic Café & Bakery, Heritage room, Makers Studio and Exhibition Spaces. Also in the building is Argent College, operated by Ruskin Mill Trust.

The New Standard Works was derelict for 20 years before undergoing a massive make-over by Ruskin Mill Land Trust, which started in 2014. Work to develop new areas in the building is ongoing.

An Abecedarian for New Standard Works

Richard O'Brien, Birmingham Poet Laureate 2018-2020, was commissioned to write a poem about our amazing building and all the things that have happened inside its four walls in the past, and today since its new lease of life. We hope you enjoy it! Read more

Rooftop Microfarm

At the New Standard Works in the heart of Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, a first floor roof has been strengthened and a beautiful new rooftop garden has emerged out of the industrial decay. Please visit our subsite www.thehiveJQ.org for more information. Read more

Hive Cafe and Bakery

The Hive Cafe and Bakery provides a warm welcome in the heart of Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter, with delicious pastries, cake, bread and meals. Come and visit us. Try our coffee! Please visit us at The Hive subsite. www.thehiveJQ.org Read more

The Hive, New Standard Works

The Hive at New Standard Works is located on the ground floor of a Grade II listed former jewellery manufactory, built in 1879. Explore the building’s industrial heritage and contemporary uses through creative exhibitions and installations throughout the ground floor which includes a Heritage Room, Gallery and Makers Studio. Free entry to exhibitions and ‘hands-on’ craft activities available every day we are open. Please can we redirect you to our subsite www.thehiveJQ.org Read more

Latest

The Fold

The Fold is a brand new centre for army families, set in the middle of a farm in beautiful countryside near the River Tees. Funded by a Libor grant from The Treasury families will the chance to get away from the pressures of Catterick Garrison and spend time in the countryside together. The activities provide a focussed and creative opportunity to learn new skills and share new experiences, whilst making friends with other families.

Glasshouse Phase 3 Development

Glasshouse Phase 3 is a project which has transformed two of the previously un-refurbished buildings on the Glasshouse site.

The Fading City - Exhibition

OPENS 2 MARCH 2020 A joint exhibition of new work by Jemma Gunning and Tracey Thorne. The Fading City is inspired by the textures and typography of buildings that surround us, and calls on us to immerse ourselves in a world that might otherwise slip by. Both artists have produced new works for the exhibition using different printmaking techniques to draw out the character and souls of the buildings.

The Sparkle Sessions

Love to craft and chat? We offer a fortnightly arts and crafts for wellbeing session in our Makers Studio. A great opportunity to craft in company; learn some new techniques, meet new people, be creative and socialise. Click for more details.

Plan your visit

The International Festival of Glass takes place at venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. Entry to all Festival venues is free, however some activities and events will have a charge.

Hive Cafe and Bakery

Why we exist

Our story

The seeds of Ruskin Mill Land Trust were sown in 1967 when Robin and Barbara Gordon transplanted their young sons Aonghus and Alisdair from the hothouse of the Ruskin Centre for Art Appreciation in Venice to the cold frame of a dilapidated former textile mill in Gloucestershire.

Merlin Theatre

Transforming the Merlin Theatre has enriched the cultural life of Sheffield and provided cultural venue for Freeman College and Brantwood Specialist School..

Freeman Biodynamic Garden at High Riggs

Located in Stannington bordering the Peak District the Freeman Biodynamic Garden provides fruit and vegetables for Freeman College, Brantwood Specialist School and the Fusion Café. Thanks to much hard work over the last three years High Riggs has been changed from a disused tree nursery to a new highly productive market garden.

British Glass Biennale 2019 - selected artists

The Ruskin Mill Land Trust, in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, is delighted to announce the artists for the 2019 British Glass Biennale exhibition. Over two days an expert panel of judges chaired by Róisín de Buitléar and comprising of Dr Jane Cook, Monica Guggisberg, Angel Monzon, and Cathy Shankland, selected the very best of this year’s entries, all of which achieved a very high standard.

Vale Head Farm

Vale Head Farm was an equestrian centre when we purchased it, and over the years hard work has seen it bloom into a beautiful biodynamic farm.

Aonghus Gordon: Executive Chair: MEd BA PGCE

Aonghus Gordon spent his formative years in Venice. He attended Rudolf Steiner schools and completed a BA in Ceramics and Art History followed by teacher training, gaining a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Breton Hall, Leeds in 1981. Aonghus completed his MEd from Rudolf Steiner University College in Oslo.