Following on from the announcement made about, and celebration of, the current exhibition – Long Playing Record - this is to confirm that Philip will be officially retiring from his role of Ruthin Craft Centre Director in late spring this year, after 33 1/3 years of service and contribution to the world of crafts and the applied arts.

His career's impact has been both all-encompassing and far-reaching, not only in terms of Ruthin Craft Centre and its exhibitions, but also with engagement/educational projects based at the Centre and in the wider community; craft maker retail opportunities including identifying and encouraging up-and-coming new talent; artist/maker residencies and diverse courtyard displays; touring opportunities and collaborations with numerous organisations within Wales, the UK nations and internationally; mentoring and support for many creative individuals within craft and the wider arts fields; and of course the thousands of conversations held with collectors and visitors to the galleries and Centre over the years.

On the eve of his well-earned retirement, many people have asked how they might thank him.

To this end we have set up this website portal where we invite you to leave a comment, a fond memory, anecdote or story from over three decades of creativity, pay tribute or simply say thanks.

ALL submissions will then be given to Philip on the occasion of his official retirement in the form of a simple Tribute document. Comments and tributes will NOT be made public here on the website. Obviously we are endeavouring to keep this SECRET from Philip, but please do share the links with others who you think may wish to contribute.

In addition, a short printed Tribute 'Book' will be produced and presented to Philip including an invited set of commissioned texts, alongside a selection of the portal tributes (from those who have indicated they are happy for them to be made public).

After all these years, Philip will now have his own RCC publication too!

The book will not be available to purchase, as only a very limited number of hard copy books will be printed, to ensure legacy copies are deposited in the various legal deposit libraries and appropriate archive collections.

However, once produced, the Tribute Book will be publicly available to view as a pdf on the main RCC website in late spring.

All those involved in this project have kindly donated their time and skills free of charge.

Any funds raised above the target set for the print costs will be given to Philip, along with his personal copy of the Tribute Book and the full Tribute document, as his retirement gift on behalf of us all.

This Tribute website and the JustGiving link will remain active/open until 30th April 2025.

However, to be considered for inclusion in the printed Tribute Book, all text must be posted to this website portal by 28th February.

We do hope that this will allow as many different people as possible to contribute, and that you feel, as we do, that this is a suitable way to say ‘thank you’ to Philip for the legacy he has left us of an outstanding and unique career, which has always "celebrated craft and the art of making".

Jane Gerrard – Former Deputy Director, Ruthin Craft Centre
Mary La Trobe-Bateman OBE – Applied Arts Curator
Elizabeth Goring – Curator & Writer