Mary Noble, jeweller

The Arts and Crafts movement found, in Oakridge, an
environment sympathetic to their creativity and work.

That same environment continued and continues to attract both locals and others who have settled here to craft beautiful objects such as these silver spoons by Mary Noble.

Mary Noble came to live in Oakridge in 1965. Although she has had an art training and work¬shop experience with David Thomas and Tony Thomson, she is a largely self-taught jeweller.

She began to create jewellery with Helen Newman in Bournes Green in 1965, and for a time shared a shop in the Brewery Arts Centre in Cirencester with Helen and Tony Thomson. As their styles diverged, Mary began to specialise in delicate silver work and has developed an enviable reputation that gains her many commissions.

She is a long-standing member of the Guild of Gloucestershire Craftsman (and has, she says, held virtually every post in the Guild except chair) but she recalls with wry humour how she and Cecil Jordan, now an eminent woodworker, were turned down the year they first applied for membership.

She has taught silvercraft for many years, sharing her skill with students at Stroud College and later independently at home. Her commissions include special individual wedding rings, unique necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pendants.

Silver spoons made with intricate animals and birds on the stem are a favourite for gifts to mark special occasions.

The above is an extract from 'Oakridge a History' by Pat Carrick, Kay Rhodes and Juliet Shipman, available from Oakridge History Group, price £15 through the ‘Contact Us’ page or from the Oakridge Village Shop.