The Framework Knitters Museum is run by a small team of part-time staff, supported by a Board of Trustees and around 50 volunteers. Some of us have been involved with the museum for many years – it’s the kind of place people fall in love with!
Please get in touch if you’d like to know more about volunteering for the museum, or enquire about joining the Board.
Staff
David Longford
Museum Manager
With a background in arts and performance, David's previous roles include Creative Learning Manager at the Theatre Royal Nottingham, where he developed the successful theatre heritage work and Programming Manager for the National Trust at the Children's Country House at Sudbury. As well as day-to-day management of the Framework Knitters Museum, David's role will be to oversee the National Lottery Heritage Fund A Stitch in Time programme, as well as working with the team to introduce new events, exhibitions and workshops to our historic venue.
Helen Brownett
Textile Artist &
Technical Demonstrator
Helen is a talented artist who first joined the Framework Knitters Museum as a volunteer in 1995. Over the years, she has become a key member of the team, demonstrating the use of Griswold circular knitting machines and sharing her expertise as a textile artist and technical demonstrator.
Helen also manages the museum shop, coordinates the setup of our artist exhibitions and museum events, and has developed valuable experience in the care and conservation of the museum’s collection. Her creativity and dedication continue to enrich the museum and inspire visitors.
Sophie Lovett
People & Culture
Manager
Sophie manages the volunteer team at the Framework Knitters Museum, supporting a wide range of roles including work experience students, Duke of Edinburgh participants, and university placements. She also helps to oversee the museum’s volunteer training programme, ensuring everyone feels confident and supported in their roles.
In addition, Sophie coordinates school visits, contributes to the maintenance of the museum’s website, and provides occasional support for social media.
Passionate about community engagement and lifelong learning, Sophie plays a key role in making the museum a welcoming, inclusive, and educational space for all.
Sarah Waterfield
Museum Administrator
Sarah brings a wealth of experience in administrative support to the Framework Knitters Museum, along with a genuine passion for knitting and crafting. Her enthusiasm and hands-on knowledge help enrich the visitor experience and support the museum's day-to-day operations.
In addition to her administrative role, Sarah helps coordinate museum events and is responsible for creating and delivering much of the museum’s social media content, sharing our stories with the wider community.
Stuart Botterill
Frameshop Technician
& Technical Demonstrator
Stuart oversees the Frameshop at the Framework Knitters Museum and is responsible for training volunteers to use and demonstrate the historic hand knitting frames.
With a background in telecommunications and electronics, Stuart brings a technical eye and a deep appreciation for engineering. His passion for both heritage and machinery drives his commitment to preserving the museum’s working exhibits and sharing this fascinating craft with visitors.
Trustees
Dr Rebekah Pickering Wood
Chair of Trustees & Sustainability Lead
Rebekah is a specialist in managing cultural projects for Heritage and Arts organisations. She currently acts as the liaison between the museum and Nottingham Trent University where she is a Senior Lecturer in Museum and Heritage Development specialising in digital heritage and creative interpretation. She leads on sustainability for the museum.
Bryn Smith
Treasurer
Bryn is an experienced Accountant who keeps a close eye on the museum finances.
Liz Mason
Secretary
Liz has an experienced background in administration and project management within the public sector. She enjoys textile crafts and is a member of a spinners and weavers guild. She also has a keen interest in local history and genealogy and appreciates the importance of places such as heritage museums.
Martha Jasko-Lawrence
Heritage Collections
Martha has over 25 years of experience working and volunteering in the museum sector, she leads on Collections for the museum.
Peter McGowan
Local History
Peter is a keen historian, having chaired the Ruddington Local History Society, and has a wealth of experience in the textiles trade as he was a director of a family-run knitting company.
Sayali Goyal
Arts & Culture
Sayali is the Founding Editor and Creative Director of an independent print magazine called Cocoa and Jasmine. Through her extensive career of 13 years, she has worked on multiple cultural projects and commissions including the British Council and Maharaja Sawai ManSingh Museum Jaipur and more.
Susan Russell
Governance
Susan Russell is a retired lawyer and has been a volunteer at the Framework Knitters Museum since 2023, which she very much enjoys. In addition to helping with museum visitors, she gives talks about the framework knitters and the museum to outside groups, and over the last year has also attended the museum board meetings as an observer. Outside the museum, she tries to keep fit (mainly so that I can justify eating too much chocolate) and is on the committee of the Nottingham Young Musician of the Year competition.
Terry Cooper
Finance
Terry Cooper is a chartered accountant with over a decade of experience in the Arts and Education sectors. He specialises in financial strategy, business performance and digital systems. Terry is currently Senior Finance Business Partner at the University of Nottingham.
Buddy Penfold
Textile Design & Knitwear
Buddy Penfold, Associate Professor Knit and Deputy Head of School of Design Innovation, De Montfort University. After studying Fashion and Textiles at Liverpool Art College, she was awarded a Royal Society of Arts and Government sponsorship as a designer for industry. Before joining De Montfort University, Buddy worked as Design Director at Burnley PLC leading the strategic creative development. She has a MEd in diverse teaching methods, has taught undergraduate and postgraduate groups and delivered workshops at international institutions. Buddy is an Education Academy Fellow. Research interests include diversity within the curriculum, craft and community and teaching practical subjects online. Buddy is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters.
Nigel Bellamy
Buildings & Facilities
Nigel Bellamy is an experienced Facilities Manager with a strong track record of supporting charitable organisations across heritage, community development, and social impact sectors. Over the years, he has contributed to various charities, offering strategic insight, operational support, and a collaborative spirit that helps initiatives flourish. Nigel is passionate about preserving cultural heritage, promoting inclusive engagement, and ensuring sustainable growth for the organisations he serves. His commitment to public service and community enrichment makes him a valuable candidate for trustee roles, where he aims to continue making a meaningful difference.
Anita Love
Education
Anita Love is currently an Educational Developer at Nottingham Trent University, having worked in Education for over twenty years including within Secondary, Alternative Provision, and Further Education as a Textile Teacher and more recently as a Senior Lecturer in Art and Design in Fashion Management. Prior to working in Education, she was a Fashion Buyer for NEXT plc and a Yarn Designer for Lister and Co. plc having specialised in knitted textile design whilst studying for a BSc in Textile Design. She is married with two grown up children and lives in West Bridgford.
Tom Gregory
PR & Marketing
Tom Gregory is the Marketing Manager for museum, archive and library software supplier, Axiell, where he has working for 10 years, Originally born in Mansfield, now living in Nottingham, Tom has a strong interest in local history and a passion for the museum and heritage sector. He hopes to join the Framework Knitters Museum Board of Trustees to support with Marketing and Communication at this exciting time, whilst gaining experience directly from the sector he cares so much about.