Shaped by hand. Rooted in tradition.
Preserving the endangered art of stick making — teaching, making, and giving sticks to those who need them most.
In memoriam
In memoriam: Tom Keers
Founder member and Chairman of Durham Stickmakers
It is with great sadness that Tom Keers, one of the founder members of Durham Stickmakers, has passed away after a long battle against continuing health problems and illness. Tom was a renowned stickmaker, well respected in the world of stickmaking and widely involved throughout the North East, the Borders and the wider stickmaking community. He was Chairman of Durham Stickmakers until his passing, and an active member and committee member of Border Stickmakers.
His quality of sticks was up there with the best, and over the years his knowledge has been passed onto many others, so his legacy continues. He has made sticks for many famous and renowned people including the Churchill family and our own Royal family.
Tom will be sadly missed, and all the members of Durham Stickmakers send his family our sincere condolences on this sad occasion.
Three things, well
Make, mend, and teach. Each one feeding the others - and all of it in the service of keeping a heritage craft alive.
Bespoke walking sticks
Commission a one-of-a-kind stick dressed to your height, grip, and choice of wood, horn, or antler.
Browse the shop →
Repairs & restorations
Bring us a tired stick - a broken ferrule, a split collar, a loose handle - and we will bring it back.
Ask about a repair →
Workshops, shows & demos
Drop in to a Monday or Tuesday evening session, or book a taster workshop and make your own.
See workshops →Featured sticks
Each stick is one of a kind - dressed by hand by a Durham Stick Makers member.
Drop in on a Monday or Tuesday
We meet at Fencehouses Community Centre every Monday and Tuesday evening from 6pm–9pm. Drop-in welcome - the kettle is always on.
Regular sessions
- Monday6:00pm–9:00pm
- Tuesday6:00pm–9:00pm
Drop-in welcome. Kettle is always on.
Come and find us at the bench
Drop in to a Monday or Tuesday evening, commission a stick, book a workshop, or just say hello. We love hearing from people who care about the craft.
Registered Charity 1212357
A workshop, not just a shop
Durham Stick Makers is a small charity of heritage craftsmen based in County Durham. We make and sell handmade walking sticks - shepherds crooks, thumbsticks, market sticks and more - shaped from hazel, holly, ram horn and antler using techniques passed down through generations.
Every penny raised goes back into preserving the craft: teaching workshops, providing sticks free of charge to those who need them, and keeping a bench, a vice and a kettle warm in Fencehouses.