Ruskin Mill College

Latest

Crafting for All Enterprise Project

Throughout 2020 we are running a new enterprise project called Crafting for All. Our monthly sessions will provide an opportunity for young people aged 16-25 with a learning disability or additional learning needs to gain practical enterprise and traditional crafting skills. By the end of the project the young makers will have made quality hand-made products to sell at a local craft market. Find out more and register your interest here.
Clervaux Garden School

Set in our 100 acre biodynamic farm, Clervaux Garden School provides an opportunity for young people aged 10 - 16 years to learn and grow within a holistic educational framework. Our aim is to develop responsible, free-thinking young people who can contribute to society with initiative and purpose.
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 service families can 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 Jewellery Quarter during World War II

Volunteer Mac Joseph has been carrying out research on our building's history during World War II. It's so interesting to see how Vittoria Street, and the wider Jewellery Quarter was affected by air raids. There is a focus on Joseph Smith, the last manufacturing occupants of Standard Works.
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.
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.
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
Fusion Cafe

Located on Arundel Street the award winning Fusion Café provides a warm and happy atmosphere for many delighted customers. Praised by the Guardian as one of the best cafes in the North (and having previously won the Best Sheffield Deli Award), Fusion Café serves wonderful fresh high quality food from local suppliers including our own Freeman College Bio-Dynamic Garden at High Riggs in Stannington.
Merlin Theatre

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

Opened in 2008, the Gallery is situated in a historic and beautifully renovated grinding factory in the heart of Sheffield. The Gallery is part of Freeman College’s social enterprise development and gives our students a unique opportunity to gain skills working on high quality exhibitions often including the College’s metal, jewellery, wool and woodwork.
Academy of Makers

Built as part of the Heritage Townscape Initiative with funding from Heritage Lottery and the European Regional Development Fund, Freeman College was able to restore the courtyard of the historic 19th century Butcher Works and create the Academy of Makers’ beautiful craft workshops, Butcher Works Gallery and the award winning Fusion Café.
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.

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

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
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.
2015 British Glass Biennale

2015 British Glass Biennale