Testimonials

"Durham Bannermakers have long delighted many of our former mining communities with the quality of their work in producing wonderful and imaginative banners depicting mining life and our history and heritage" - G. Robson (Durham Miners Association)

“Equity needed a new national banner as a physical representation of the union marching out of COVID, and initiating this work is part of both a rediscovery of our history and identity. Creating a piece of art for a union of artists isn’t without its challenges(!), and with a young membership - a modal age of 28 - it was vital that we highlighted both their modern struggles but in the context of our historic victories.

The concept, design and product which has been created has surpassed all expectation. Rooted in the patterns of a traditional banner, with Equity’s history perfectly described on one side, everybody can see themselves represented, whatever their profession or background. Generations of Equity activists are indebted to the work of Emma and Durham Bannermakers who have created a symbol of our self confidence in the face of extraordinary challenges.” Paul W Flemming EQUITY General Secretary

“We received our new Branch banner just before Christmas and to describe it as a work of art is an understatement. The attention to detail and vibrant colours has truly captured the four areas of Lothian. Emma and Edgar were an absolute pleasure to deal with and have delivered this masterpiece through only email correspondence because of Coronavirus restrictions. This only reinforces our view of what truly amazing artists they are. This has been a hard year for the UNISON members in Lothian Health Branch and they have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic and the arrival of our beautiful banner will provide a much welcome lift. We cannot wait to carry it and will do so with pride. I cannot recommend Durham Bannermakers highly enough and this banner will not only be a legacy for UNISON Lothian Health Branch, but a legacy for the artists. Thank you" Tracy Anne Miler (UNISON Health Branch)

“How proud we are of the Banner and the reception it received was amazing.There were many people there and everyone loved it. It has been displayed along with the very first banner we had in 84/85 and they look so good together, announcing to the world that we women are still here and still fighting . It is a wonderful tribute to your work and we really appreciate what you have done to chronicle our history." - Betty Cook and Anne Scargill (Barnsley Miners' Wives - Daughters of mother Jones)

“ Northern Heartlands is so proud to have these stunning banners represent its engagement programme with school children in Willington as part of the Man Engine's only visit to County Durham. The banners produced are of the highest quality and clearly reflect a creative process that has engaged young people in thinking about their sense of place. It has been a pleasure to work with Emma, and Northern Heartlands would be delighted to work with Durham Bannermakers again.” - Tariq Imam, Community Facilitator , Northern Heartlands 

“Thank you for our amazing banner. The time and skill that has gone into it is remarkable. We were able to debut it at a rally last week and everybody loved it… Thank you again for our beautiful piece of art” - Marie Quigley UNISON North Lanarkshire

“ A massive thank you for all your hard work and effort on producing our amazing banner. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you on the design. From the original vision to the finished banner your support and enthusiasm has been an absolute joy… I’ve been getting messages from members all over the country telling me that the general Secretary has mentioned the banner and can I send them some images…a thousand thanks for bringing our vision to such a successful end result. Our Branch will proudly carry your hard work for generations to come, thank you so much for creating this legacy.” - David King, Branch Secretary, Newcastle Rail and Catering

“ I was commissioned to produce works for a project titled 'The Politics of Cloth,' funded by Arts Council England and delivered by arts commissioners Super Slow Way in Lancashire.  I proposed a piece of work for 'Lancashire Encounter" festival that memorialised Acid House and celebrated the 30th anniversary of young people seizing back the mills and factories of Lancashire in order to dance and come together in the spaces their parents and grand parents had worked. The turn around for this banner was extremely tight. I emailed Emma on a Sunday morning, and she rang me on the Monday. By the following Friday the banner was in production. Emma continued to support me throughout the project, even lending me poles so that the banner could be marched through Preston as part of the festival. The banner is incredible and I intend to work with Durham Bannermakers again in the near future. Durham Bannermakers specialise in preserving the craft of traditional silk banner making, but are also open to developing contemporary content. I cannot recommend them enough, this whole project has been a delight from that first phone call, to seeing the banner paraded in the manner that it was intended.” - Artist Jamie Holman