An historic building in Great Malvern is to launch a range of silversmithing courses.

Elmslie House, a Victorian family home in the heart of the town, has been hosting a range of events, classes and workshops since the house was bought and restored by Anna and Bernard Taylor a decade ago.

Anna Taylor now runs the house alongside a small part-time team as an independent venue.

Elmslie already hosts creative workshops and regular art exhibitions, but is hoping to be able to host a range of silversmithing courses as soon as a bespoke area can be created to accommodate equipment that has been donated by college group WCG.

The silversmithing equipment was previously used for courses at Malvern Hills College before its closure in 2020.

WCG has also agreed to donate additional resources, including art and design equipment, to support the delivery of other classes including embroidery workshops. 

The equipment ranges from vices, wire makers, polishing machines and extractors for gas torches, to hand tools and moulds to support doming and ring forming.  

Elmslie House is considering converting and investing in the undercroft area of the building to provide a permanent space for silversmithing classes to take place.

Anna, an amateur silversmith who had previously attended classes at Malvern Hills College, says she is keen to find a solution to allow silversmithing classes to return.

She said: “I feel very passionately about providing artistic opportunities for people in the town and we’re excited about the prospect of hosting silversmithing classes at the house.

“This is a generous gift from WCG and we will be matching the investment ourselves to create a permanent offering for the people of Malvern and surrounding areas to access.

“It would be the first permanent space for arts that we have at the house, as all other classes or events are held in flexible, multi-purpose spaces where we are able to pack away all the equipment.

“The nature of silversmithing calls for a dedicated area for this equipment to be used in and so we are consulting with builders about transforming the undercroft under the stage. We are also mindful of planning permissions that may be needed as we are a Grade II listed building.”

Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, said: “We have always said that we would work with the community to enable the delivery of arts classes to continue in Malvern and working in partnership with Elmslie House to gift this equipment is a way of us doing that. 

“We understand that there are currently efforts to recreate the Malvern School of Art, which was previously based at the college, in another location and we have indicated a willingness to gift any remaining equipment to the new venture.”