University News Last updated 16 August 2017
The head of Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery has been recognised for his services to education with an award to become a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company.
Professor Stephen Bottomley will officially have the honour bestowed on him at a special event at the London Guildhall later this year, after a selection committee at the Goldsmiths’ Company granted Professor Bottomley with Freeman status at a ceremony at Goldsmiths’ Hall this summer.
There are over 1500 Freemen of the Goldsmiths’ Company, who support the precious metal and jewellery crafts industry through training and education programmes. The Goldsmiths’ Company was founded in 1327 and is one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London.
“One of the more unusual benefits of the Freedom of the City includes gaining the right to drive livestock across Tower Bridge in London and protection from being press ganged into the navy or army”, said Professor Bottomley.
In an academic career spanning over 25 years, Professor Bottomley has lectured widely in the UK and abroad including delivering workshops in South Korea and America. He was previously a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh and has recently been an external examiner at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin.
Professor Bottomley served as the fourth chairman of the national Association for Contemporary Jewellery and Professor Bottomley’s jewellery is represented in collections at the National Museums Scotland, British Museum, South East Arts Collection and Royal College of Art.
Courses at Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery will be open to applicants in Clearing, from Thursday 17 August at www.bcu.ac.uk/clearing.